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by Allison Carr, '06
Sheila Maak, center, with Junior Achievement Honduras students
Wendy, left, and Kelvin, right
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Sheila Maak, '97, now studies at one of the most prestigious universities in the country, but Whitworth still occupies a special place in her memories. "Princeton is much larger than Whitworth and brings many more opportunities," Maak says, "but nothing compares to Whitworth's professors."
After graduating from Whitworth, Maak spent eight years in Honduras – the first three as an economic-development volunteer with the Peace Corps. She then founded the Junior Achievement Honduras Foundation, where she served as the executive director until July 2005, when she returned to the U.S. During this time she also supported three Honduran teenagers, one of whom will apply for a transfer to Whitworth this coming fall. JAH has been an enormous success. "In three years, JAH had grown to reach more than 3,000 students each year, with the participation of more than 200 local volunteers and 18 prominent board members from the business community," Maak says.
Of course, it wasn't easy. Maak provided all the startup money and organization for JAH. "It was only my faith in God and my sure sense of His calling for me to be in Honduras with JAH and with these kids that kept me from packing my bags and leaving," she says. Finances were so dicey that "many times I didn't even know how I was going to pay the rent," she says. "But God provided."
Even though Maak gained valuable experience in development work in Honduras, she felt the need to further her education. She is currently in the Masters in Public and International Affairs Program at the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton, focusing on international development. "The classwork is difficult, yet fulfilling," Maak says. "After working so many years in development, it's nice to finally have the opportunity to study development theory and issues in-depth." After she graduates, Maak plans to carry on her work in Latin America.
Whitworth continues to influence Maak. "When I think about Whitworth," she said, "I think about Rob Wilson [SGCM]. Although I took only one class from him, in my freshman year, he soon became my mentor and friend." Maak still makes it a point to see Wilson whenever she is in Spokane. Richard Schatz (Economics & Business) has also inflenced Maak. "His many examples about the Peace Corps in class inspired me to join the Peace Corps myself, which put me on the path to where I am today," she says. Maak says that she could spend all night talking about the Whitworth professors who have touched her life. "The professors at Princeton are very knowledgeable and often the top experts in their fields," she says, "but they lack the personal touch that makes the Whitworth experience so memorable."
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