Meet our 2025 - 2026 Student Leadership Team!

Y College Cards4Kids & Pen Pals

Sienna Hackbarth, Program Manager

Hi! My name is Sienna Hackbarth and I am a senior pursuing a career in teaching or public health. I am currently a Program Manager for our Cards4kids program which includes both Cards4Kids and Pen Pals. Something I love about the UY is that I’ve been able to find an amazing community of people who share similar values, especially about education and working with children. My favorite part about my position is seeing the connections that are made between college students in Minnesota and students in Hawaii through our Pen Pals program!

Y Rising College Achievers

Zoe Gardner, Community Service Intern

Y Step N’ Stones

Kacy Anderson, Program Manager & Mentor

Hi! My name is Kacy Anderson, I am a senior graduating in May and beginning my Master's Program to become an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher! I am currently serving as one of the Program Managers for our in-school program Step N' Stones, as well as being a mentor in a classroom! Something I love about the UY is that our program is able to offer students and teachers extra support, care, and encouragement within the classroom.

Thelma Benitez Gutierrez, Program Manager - SHE / HER

Hello! My name is Thelma Benitez, I am a junior pursuing a career in Speech-Language Pathology and working with Bilingual students. I am currently serving as both a Program Manager for Step N Stone, and as a mentor in the classroom. One of my favorite parts of my involvement has been participating in the pen pal program, as it creates a unique and impactful way to connect with students and stay engaged with them over time! Overall, my experience with UY has been incredibly rewarding and has strengthened my passion for mentorship and community involvement. 

Y Adventures with Mentors

Joshua Imdieke, Program Manager

Hello! My name is Joshua Imdieke, I am currently studying Geography and Urban Studies and hope to one day pursue opportunities with government organizations focused on infrastructure, planning, and community development. Right now I am serving as a Program Manager for Adventures with Mentors as well as being a Site Lead. I love being a part of the UY community and I truly couldn’t do any of this work without the amazing team I work with. They are some of my favorite people to be around and they keep me motivated, challenge me to think in new ways, and help keep me grounded. The sense of community and shared purpose is what makes this work so meaningful. 

Isabella Lepak, Program Manager

Hi! My name is Isabella Lepak, I am a senior and hope to be working in the advertising world focusing more on the creative side after graduation. I am currently a Program Manager for Adventures with Mentors. What I love about the UY is that this place has a way of bringing people together based on shared values of helping others. We all support one another and have built a community through connections that matter. 

Abednett Browne

Hi! My name is Abednett Brown and I am a senior and I plan on pursuing a Master’s degree and then attending Medical School to become a Pediatrician. I am currently a Site Lead through Adventures with Mentors. I love the community aspect of the UY, being able to connect with other site leads, lead a group of mentors, and connect with community partners. The UY is such a diverse and open community where we all gather together with a common goal of mentoring kids. 

Colleen Hopkins, Site Lead (fall only)

Hello! My name is Colleen Hopkins, and this is my 2nd year at the U of MN, majoring in Developmental Psychology!

I chose to serve through the University YMCA beginning February 2024 as a Freshman and now am stepping up into a leadership role with Y Mentors, as a Site Lead!  I also wanted to get more involved in the community and at the U, as well as make a positive impression on the students in Minneapolis!

What I like/love about the UY is how connected everyone is and the teamwork and community that is built between the mentors and students! I believe creating a sense of belonging begins with treating everyone with kindness!! Being a Y Mentor was such an amazing opportunity last semester and it really helped me find my passion in childcare and youth work! It means a lot to me and I have truly found my community here at the U through this organization! 

Ericca Em, Site Lead (fall only)

Hi! My name is Ericca Em. I am currently a junior at the U of MN studying Business & Marketing Education at CEHD. This will be my third year at the UY and third semester serving as a Site Lead for the AWM program! I am super stoked to continue to serve in a leadership role in this program. We do so much good work and I am excited to lead a team of amazing mentors to serve our youth in our community! I have always looked up to my site leads and wanted to try out this leadership thing for myself! The UY offers great opportunities to help support our community and I am so happy to be a part of it.

Noley Guthrie, Site Lead (fall only)

Hi! My name is Noley Guthrie and this is my third year at the University of MN, as an elementary education major. I chose to serve through the University YMCA beginning in Y mentors as a Freshman and sophomore and junior years I stepped into a leadership with Y Mentors.

What I love about the Y is how welcoming everyone at the Y is. Finding a community where you can be your genuine self is the best environment to create a belonging experience for both college students and youth.

Y Mentors have given me the confidence to step into a supported leadership position for the first time in a work environment, and it’s also so much enjoyment for what I get to do!

Riddhi Bhakta – Y Mentors Program Assistant, Site Lead (sp only), SNS Mentor

Hello! My name is Rhiddi Bhakta and I am a junior planning on attending Law School after graduation. This semester I am a Site Lead for Adventures with Mentors, a mentor for Step N Stones, as well as working behind the scenes with our work-study students.

I love working with kids in the community, and being able to make a difference in their lives. The connections with both kids and college students I have made through the UY is amazing.

Sarah Zenaye, Site Lead (fall only)

Hi, my name is Sarah Zenaye and I’m currently a senior studying Psychology. This is going to be my 4th year at the UY and 3rd year being a Site Lead.

I was first introduced to the UY by a friend, and I just loved what the UY was about, and thought it was a great way for me to do some form of service back to the community.

Overall, the University Y is a place where you can find community and be proud of the work you do. It is something I personally enjoy and find fulfilling.

Ellyse Harmon, Site Lead (spring only)

Hello! My name is Ellyse Harmon and I am a sophomore pursuing a career in Speech and Language Therapy.  I am currently serving as a Site Lead through Adventures with Mentors. I love being a part of the UY because I get to meet new friends that share the same passion for helping the kids and community! My favorite part about being a Site Lead is seeing the kids' faces light up when my team and I show up for site!

Ericka Freeland, Site Lead (spring only)

Hi! My name is Ericka Freeland and I am a freshman, pursuing a career as a dietician. Right now I am serving as a Site Lead through Adventures with Mentors. Something I love about the UY is how close everyone is and the family we have created. My favorite memory at the UY would have to be when I received the email from Patti asking me to be a site lead. I wasn’t expecting it and it gave me a lot of confidence to know that my hard work had paid off. 

Maiya Karls-Klatt, Site Lead (spring only)

Hi! My name is Maiya Karls Klatt, I am a junior and plan on becoming a middle school social studies teacher. I’m currently serving as a site lead for Adventures with Mentors. I love being a part of the UY community because I love the energy and I always feel so welcomed anytime I am in the building. I also feel very supported and appreciate feeling like an important part of the team. 

Grace Kuebelbeck, Site Lead & SNS Mentor

Hi! My name is Grace Kuebelbeck, I am a sophomore pursuing a career as a Mental Health Counselor. I currently serve as both a Site Lead through Adventures with Mentors and a Step and Stones Mentor. Something I love about the UY is the connections I make with both mentees and fellow mentors. My favorite memory about the program was during my freshman year, when the teacher I was assisting surprised me on my last day with cards made by the students. I still have them!

Kiya Arkadie, Site Lead (spring only)

Hi! My name is Kiya Arkadie, I am a sophomore and I hope to go into international relations and create a book based on my experiences abroad. I am currently serving as Site Lead through Adventures with Mentors. At the UY I love being able to foster a community for my kiddos at site. I also enjoy the student-led structure, and the ample opportunities to do good in our community.

Rory Antilla, Site Lead & Student Leader - SHE/HER

Hi! My name is Rory Antilla, and I am a sophomore, and not sure exactly what the future holds but I am hoping to do something related to ecology and the environment! I am currently a student leader in Adventures with Mentors focusing on mentoring and helping out with projects around the UY. Something that I love about the UY is the community, everyone is very kind and welcoming, and the UY is always a safe space!

University Y Interns

Peyton Ducke, UY Program Intern – Fall Only

Hello! My name is Peyton Ducke, and this is my final semester at the U of MN, majoring in Elementary Education.

My “why” I choose the Y:  I chose to serve through the University YMCA beginning Sophomore year as a mentor, and then Jr year in the leadership role with Y Mentors, as a program manager. This fall I am the Program Intern and will be graduating in December. What I love about the UY is how welcoming and encouraging the community is. Everyone is so supportive of each other and wants to work together to help all in as many ways possible.

I think that having an open minded and excepting environment helps create a sense of belonging for college students and youth. Building strong relationships aids in this process and greatly contributes to the feeling of belonging for all. Allowing for inclusivity and acceptance of everyone. It relaxes anxiety and helps to form a sense of belonging.

For me, Y Mentors are youths' ability to have a positive role model, in which they can form great connections and have strong relationships that support them academically, mentally, and emotionally. Y mentors are a highlight in many students lives during their school day and they help students feel accepted and encouraged within various aspects of their lives.

Noley Guthrie, UY Administrative Intern

Hello! My name is Noley Guthrie and I am a junior pursuing a degree in Elementary Education. Currently I am serving as the Administrative Intern at the UY. I love that my position means I get to be involved in all our events and programs here at the UY, and work with both the student leaders and Patti. The UY has given me so many invaluable experiences and I have gained so many skills, it has also been such a core part of my college experience and so fulfilling.

Brianna Adair, Marketing Intern

Hello! My name is Brianna Adair, and I am in my senior year here at the UMN. I began working at the UY this semester as a social media and marketing intern. I have primarily been creating content for the UY Instagram as well as assisting with the UY newsletter and magazine. I have really enjoyed being a part of the UY because I am gaining so much experience in marketing and have been surrounded by such a fun and enthusiastic group of students!

Julio Rojas Duarte, Marketing Intern

Hi! My name is Julio Rojas Duarte, I am a senior graduating this upcoming May and hope to start working at a Marketing Agency or company and focus on their social media/marketing! I am currently serving as a Marketing Intern here at the UY. I have loved being a part of the UY because of the strong and supportive community we have here, and being able to see the impact our programs have in the lives of young people in our community.

Sarai Montano, UY Intern/SNS Mentor

Hello! My name is Sarai Montano and I am a junior this year currently looking into becoming a marriage and family therapist. Right now I am serving as both a UY Intern and Step N Stones mentor. I love being able to support students when I see they need help, and encourage them to stay focused. I am also working on creating bilingual resources to better support our Spanish-speaking students. It feels good to be part of a community that genuinely wants to give back.

Zoe Gardner, UY Community Service Intern

Hi! My name is Zoe Gardner, I am graduating this May and hope to continue working with nonprofits dedicated to community well-being and social development.  As the community service intern, I focus on creating and maintaining connections with other staff and volunteers at the UY, communicating with our community partners, and offering support to our first-year students. I love the community at the UY, and the opportunities for leadership and development. There is a lot of emphasis on and grace for learning through our mistakes.