Introducing the Coro Fellows Program in St. Louis Class of 2027
On Tuesday, September 1st, the Coro Fellows Program Class of 2027 kickstarted their Fellowship experience and they are now in their first placement rotation. Read more about why each Fellow decided Coro was the next right step in their leadership journey — and reach out to our team at coro@umsl.edu to discuss opportunities to host Fellows for placements!
Taylor Crownover
University of Texas at Austin, 2024
Majors: Sociology & Plan II
By joining Coro, I hope to apply lessons learned in academic settings to real-world action. Building on past experiences with nonprofits and local government, I plan to bring that knowledge to diverse cross-sector placements throughout St. Louis. I especially look forward to gaining insight and guidance from local leaders, mentors, and my cohort peers.
Ella Garcia
Florida State University, 2026
Field of Study: Public Administration
Florida State University, 2025
Major: Political Science
I am participating in the Coro Fellows Program because I believed it will allow me to apply my interest in government and grow both personally and professionally. I am particularly interested in the cohort aspect of the program as well as the multi-sectoral exposure it provides!
Vanessa Han
Johns Hopkins University, 2026
Majors: Sociology and International Studies
I am honored to be a part of the Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs to continue learning about ways in which I can serve the community around me. Throughout my academic career, I have been passionate about furthering racial justice, particularly through the lenses of immigration and the carceral state. I hope to build upon this experience and expand beyond it through my time at Coro.
Zora Levette
Wellesley College, 2024
Major: Media Arts & Sciences
Through hands on experiences and building connections with those around me, I look forward to the opportunity to learn what makes a person a change maker in this world.
Carolina Loayza
Mount Holyoke College, 2026
Major: International Relations
I am joining the Coro Fellows Program to better understand how public institutions operate and how decisions are made across sectors. With a background in international relations and a focus on cultural diplomacy, I am particularly interested in how governments build trust and engage diverse communities. I see Coro as an opportunity to strengthen my ability to navigate complex environments and contribute meaningfully to public service.
Gaby Madriz
Washington University in St. Louis, 2026
Majors: Latin American Studies, Economics
Coro is an amazing opportunity to better understand and improve the region I call home. St. Louis is a beautiful, yet deeply fragmented, city; I hope that Coro helps me bridge gaps and identify solutions to issues facing our residents.
Evelyn Marquez
University of Southern California, 2025
Field of Study: Public Policy
University of Southern California, 2024
Majors: Non-governmental Organizations and Social Change
I appreciate the challenging nature of the fellowship and look forward to the wealth of knowledge I will gain about different sectors of public affairs and myself! Through the rotational assignments and the hands-on approach, the Coro Fellowship will help me explore what leadership means to me. I look forward to connecting with new people, learning about the St. Louis communities, and the constant learning!
Natalie Schliekelman
Bryn Mawr College, 2026
Majors: Growth & Structure of Cities, Environmental Studies
As an Urban and Environmental Studies major, I am deeply interested in how public policy and governance processes, especially at the city and state level, can be used to solve the issues of our time, especially climate change. The Coro Fellows Program is a way for me to dive into the world of public affairs and learn about it from a multitude of angles through the different rotations. I'm excited to explore a new city and see where Coro takes me!