Carleton announces Class of 2025 Weitz Fellows

After a year-long pause, the Weitz Fellows program is back! Created by Wally Weitz ’70, P ’96, P ’99, P ’02 and Barbara Weitz ’70, P ’96, P ’99, P ’02 over a decade ago, this opportunity connects Carleton graduates to nonprofits based in Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska, spanning the fields of advocacy and education, arts and film, and law and policy. Fellows spend one year working full-time with these organizations, where they receive benefits and funding for professional development, while also gaining practical experience within fundraising, marketing, and other areas of nonprofit management. This unique opportunity leaves fellows with a support system composed of a cohort of their fellow Carls, the Weitz family, and fellowship coordinator Jack Becker ’86, even beyond when they conclude their roles early next summer. 

“The Weitz Fellowship is an exceptional entry-level experience that provides a rotational-type opportunity for Carleton graduates,” Associate Director of the Career Center Chad Ellsworth explained. “Through the one-year fellowship, fellows develop expertise in a variety of functional areas and operational roles in nonprofit organizations, while also contributing in meaningful ways to address critical social issues in the communities of Omaha and Lincoln. All of this takes place within a cohort experience and a supportive alumni network that includes former Weitz Fellows who have made Nebraska their home.” 

Without further ado, meet the soon-to-be graduates selected for the 2025–26 Weitz Fellowships:

Julia Dunn ’25

Dunn is a political science and international relations major with an Africana studies minor from Portmore, Jamaica. She will be spending her fellowship year with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Nebraska, an organization that has worked for more than 50 years to protect the constitutional and individual rights of everyone through their work in courts, communities, and legislatures. With a nationwide network of offices and millions of members and supporters, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties fights. Dunn will be working within a variety of different spheres, including reproductive justice, racial and Indigenous justice, and immigrant rights. Specifically, she may conduct policy research, assist with the preparations for internal and external meetings, and aid with fundraising efforts.

“I’m excited to get more firsthand experience in community organizing, working to safeguard the civil liberties and human rights of Nebraskans. I also look forward to developing additional skills in nonprofit fundraising and communications, and learning more about the behind-the-scenes operations of advocacy organizations.”

Markus Gunadi ’25

Gunadi is a double major in cinema and media studies (CAMS) and computer science from Palo Alto, California. He will be spending his fellowship year with Film Streams, a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to enhancing the cultural environment of Omaha and Council Bluffs, Iowa through the presentation and creative discussion of film as an art form. The organization oversees two distinct cinemas: the Ruth Sokolof Theater and the historic Dundee Theater. Gunadi will apply his interest in cinema as an “educational and community-building tool” through event planning, administrative work, educational programming, and even working the popcorn machine! Additionally, he will be organizing his own film series and conducting research on important topics related to the Omaha community. 

“By the end of my Weitz Fellowship, I hope to have a better understanding of how art nonprofits are run and watch a lot of new films!”

Grace Bassekle ’25

Bassekle is a sociology and anthropology major. She will spend her fellowship year with I Be Black Girl (IBBG), a reproductive justice organization that “leads with boldness, innovation, and inspiration, actively creating a radical change-making culture that centers Black women, femmes, and girls.” Inspired by the work of bell hooks, Audre Lorde, and other Black feminists and womanists, IBBG provides transformational change at the intersections of gender and race. The term “I Be,” framed by author bell hooks in her book Be Boy Buzz, inspired IBBG’s founder to fill spaces with what it means to exist as a Black woman, femme, or girl — where they are free to define and own that narrative. During this time, Bassekle will be exposed to how policy is used to drive radical change in the reproductive justice sphere, and how economic inequality and a flawed medical system perpetuate injustice.

Maya Keeney ’25

Keeney is a studio art major with an art history minor from Kansas City, Missouri. She will be spending her fellowship year with the Joslyn Art Museum, which houses a collection of over 12,000 objects spanning over 5,000 years of human creation from the world’s diverse cultures. The Museum was a gift to the people of Omaha from Sarah Joslyn in memory of her husband, George, and has welcomed millions of visitors from around the world since its opening in 1931, with general admission free to all. The campus comprises three distinct, yet connected, buildings surrounded by sculpture gardens. Looking to gain real-world experience within the world of museum curation, Keeney will be working in the Learning and Engagement Department, with opportunities to explore other departments. Within her role, she will be focusing on community projects and exploring new methods for the museum to serve as a community resource.

“While I know I would like to work in the field of museums, I am still unsure how my skill set best contributes to this system. I would love to gain a better insight into all aspects of museum work and use this knowledge as a foundation for my future endeavors.”

Dani Reynoso ’25

Reynoso is an American studies major from Chicago, Illinois. She will be spending her fellowship year with the Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest. This advocacy organization focuses on healthcare access, economic justice, child welfare, immigrants, and communities through their civic engagement work and efforts within Nebraska’s legal and policy sectors. Reynoso will engage in relationship-building at all levels, event planning, and coordination, and will participate in creating active legislation alongside a staff of attorneys, policy specialists, and community organizers. She looks forward to “creating meaningful change” as she focuses on projects within the economic justice and healthcare access areas. 

“I have a few hopes for this next year. Most of all, I hope this experience helps guide my future pursuits; more specifically, if I want to continue nonprofit work or if I’ll move into public policy work. I’m excited to deepen my understanding of how advocacy at the community level can take shape on a much larger, political scale. Finally, I’m excited to move to a new city — I’ve never even stepped foot in Nebraska, so that’s scary but so exciting!”

Ashley Rosenberg ’25

Rosenberg is a religion major with a Spanish minor from Chicago, Illinois. She will be spending her fellowship year with the Nebraska Civic Engagement Table, an organization that works with other nonprofits across the state to encourage nonpartisan civic participation, fighting for a multiracial, representative democracy that serves all communities. They do this by providing direct core support, technical tools, and collaborative spaces to member nonprofits to support year-round civic engagement. Rosenberg will have the opportunity to work within all branches of the organization, but is “particularly excited to engage in public policy work, as well as support grassroots organizing efforts across Nebraska.”

“I hope to learn how to make an impact in the nonprofit sphere through movement-building work and grassroots organizing, as well as by engaging with institutional structures. Especially right now, given the current political climate, organizing and forming community networks to help each other is so essential. I believe that I will take away skills that will help me be able to do so effectively, as well as the skills needed to pursue a career in nonprofit work focused on systemic change.”

Will Hassell ’25

Hassell is an English major with minors in educational studies and English creative writing. He will spend his fellowship year with The Rose Theater. For over 75 years, the Omaha Theater Company has served generations of children and families in the Omaha area. Today, adults who once passed through the doors of The Rose as children now bring their own families to share in the experience, creating an ongoing tradition for many. Guided by the mission to enrich the lives of all through live theater and education, The Rose will be a place where Hassell will help children and families in the Omaha area engage with and find joy in theater.

Mia Strubel Iram ’25

Strubel Iram is a political science and international relations major with minors in European studies and Middle East studies from Skokie, Illinois. She will be spending her fellowship year with the Women’s Fund of Omaha, a nonprofit organization focused on research, grants, and advocacy around issues facing women and girls in their communities. The Women’s Fund provides grant funding to service providers, advocates for policy change, and influences dynamic change within the community. Iram is “thankful for the opportunity to learn about Omaha and the political environment” as she contributes to a variety of projects, including research, policy development, communications, and donor and volunteer relations. Research areas include economic conditions, domestic violence, and challenges facing girls.

“As a Weitz Fellow, I hope to gain important professional development skills, specifically within the realm of promoting gender issues. I am grateful for the opportunity to work at the Women’s Fund, where I will be able to gain important skills in advocacy and research and learn more about the community and gender needs in Nebraska.”

To learn more about the Weitz Fellows program, the cohort experience, and the mission and work of this year’s organizations, visit the Career Center website.