Whitworth University Sociology Department

Alumni Achievements

Alex Schilperoort, '10

Major: Sociology

Current Position: Activity services facilitator at Developmental Pathways, an organization that serves individuals with developmental disabilities in the Denver, Colo., area.

Why Whitworth? "As a senior in high school, I remember staying in Arend Hall with a freshman host. He introduced me to the inclusive, warm community of students, and I must say that this, more than anything else, drew me to Whitworth."

Whitworth Activities: Participated in En Christo, International Justice Mission club, and played intramural soccer.

Quote: "Professors, classes, friendships and extracurriculars at Whitworth fostered in me compassion, empathy, advocacy and an ability to use my best judgment in gray areas. I must choose all of these to implement on a daily basis to do my job well and with integrity."

Influential Whitworth Professor/Instructor: "Linda Buff, of the education department, who was my freshman seminar professor, knew me well, and I grew to trust her greatly. She was well aware of my interest in teaching, and although I had expressed my doubts and hesitations to her, she told me caringly and confidently that I should be a teacher, and then she told me the reasons why. Her simple but profound statement helped me recognize how others close to me had been affirming the same gifts and passions that Linda saw in me."

Career Goals: "Currently, I am pursuing a teacher preparation internship program at a local K-8 school. If I'm accepted, I will have the opportunity to teach in a classroom, receive my Colorado state elementary teaching license, and complete a master's degree in education at the University of Colorado – Denver. Regardless of whether I am accepted, I intend to pursue teaching as a career."

Here's what some other recent Whitworth graduates are doing with their sociology degrees:

Nicole Geiger, '10, is in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, working for Peace Bridges, a nonprofit involved in conflict resolution and mediation work.

Becky Langeloh, '11, is working as a case manager for women in supportive housing through the organization Jesuit Volunteer Corps.

Colleen Smith, '06, is the communications and publications officer for an international school in Hong Kong. She is working toward a master of social science in development studies degree at City University of Hong Kong.

Will Johnson, '09, was awarded a full-tuition Luther Seminary Presidential Scholarship to enroll in the master of divinity program at Luther Seminary, in St. Paul, Minn.

Jeremiah Sataraka, '09, is a program coordinator for The Posse Foundation, in Chicago.

Brittany Hilker, '07, earned a master's in social work at Eastern Washington University and now is a social worker for an orphanage in Haiti.

Tim Assad, '09, is enrolled in a master's in counseling program at George Fox University. He plans to work in prisons when he completes his education.

Janna Silvis, '11, is a resident director at Creighton University, in Omaha, Neb., and is pursuing her master's degree in conflict resolution there.

Amanda Cox, '07, is working toward an M.Ed. in Prevention Science and Practice at Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

Analisa McCann, '10, is working as a second-grade teacher at the largest tribal school in the nation, Chief Leschi Tribal School, in Puyallup, Wash.

Lora Burge, '06, is pursuing an M.Div. at McCormick Theological Seminary, in Chicago.