Margaret A. Adamek, Minneapolis, will complete a Ph.D. in work, community and family education at the University of Minnesota. As the director and founder of The Sugar Project at the Center for Urban and Regional Affairs at the University, Adamek’s work addresses the relationship between food and health, especially in the Native American population.

Michael K. Belton, Minneapolis, will attend Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and intern with the National Ten Point Leadership Foundation in Boston. Belton is the director of Hennepin County Juvenile Probation.

Pamela Johns Danforth, St. Paul, currently a culture teacher at the American Indian Magnet School, will seek a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from the University of Minnesota in order to qualify to teach at the university level.

Repa Mekha, Minneapolis, is currently the executive director of Freeport West. Mekha will pursue a master’s degree in public administration at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and complete a self-designed study program to develop a model for economic development in the African-American community.

Dipankar Mukherjee, Minneapolis, is the founder and artistic director of Pangea World Theater. He will study peaceful and nonviolent mediation and conflict resolution techniques in South Africa, Switzerland and India by meeting with leaders, activists and mentors working for world peace and human rights.

Maria Cristina O’Brien, Minneapolis, will pursue a master’s degree in public affairs at the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota. She is currently the art director of the Mira Gallery in Minneapolis and an academic advisor in the TRIO/Student Support Services program at Augsburg University.

Paul O. Orieny, Maple Grove, will seek a Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy at the University of Minnesota. He will also work with nationally known experts on immigrant families to create culturally healthy solutions for recently arrived African immigrant families in crisis. Orieny is currently a psychotherapist.

Jason T. Stark, New Brighton, is an Ojibwe language and social studies teacher at the Nawaynee Center School in Minneapolis. He will study tribal and federal Indian law by completing a law degree and a master’s degree in public administration at the Hamline University School of Law.

Robert Sykora, Minneapolis, wants to work with others to build smart public policy that sets limits on how technology collects and disseminates information about individuals. He currently serves as the chief information officer with the Minnesota Department of Public Defense. He seeks a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Erik M. Takeshita, Minneapolis, is a senior policy aide to Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Ryback. He will attend the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University to earn a master’s degree in public administration and study arts-based community development.

Deborah Talen, Minneapolis, is founder and former executive director of Rainbow Families. She will attend Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government to earn a master’s degree in public administration.

Khu Thao, Minneapolis, is a social worker in the area of child protection for Hennepin County. She will use her fellowship to pursue a doctorate in psychology at Argosy University and will combine her knowledge of psychology and Hmong cultural beliefs to create mental health services that are sensitive to the needs of Hmong patients.

Maureen L. White Eagle, Eagan, is a managing attorney for the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center. She will develop the skills to found or direct a human rights organization dedicated to women and children through self-directed study in the U.S., Thailand and Brazil.

Yvonne G. Lerew, Hartford, is an education coordinator for the Refugee and Immigration Programs of Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota in Sioux Falls. Lerew will attain a master’s degree in international educational policy at Harvard University in order to improve educational opportunities for immigrant teenagers and young adults.

Cassandra K. Soeffing, Sioux Falls, is a science teacher at the Axtell Middle School in Sioux Falls. She will attend the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology to complete a doctorate in atmospheric, environmental and water resources. Her goal is to improve science education by bringing more real world science into the classroom.