Hannah Rodriguez

Hello! My name is Hannah Rodriguez and I am from a small town full of cherry pride and beautiful beaches called Beulah, which is located in the northwest corner of the Mitten.  I am currently a sophomore in the Residential College at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and I am studying Social Theory and Practice.  After undergrad, I am planning to pursue a career in Social Work, but who knows… That could change any day now.

Through Semester in Detroit, I am an intern with Motown Mission Experience.  Motown Mission facilitates youth group and alternative spring break trips into Detroit with an emphasis on volunteer work and learning about this rich and beautiful city.  As Project Coordinator for Motown Mission, I am responsible for organizing partnerships between Motown Mission and various non-profit and volunteer-based organizations throughout the city, and matching them with the hundreds of volunteers who travel to the city through our organization.  I sincerely love the work I am doing with this organization.  It has given me a great opportunity to learn the ins and outs of a small, yet highly organized and functional non-profit organization, while allowing me to make connections with several other organizations in the city.  I will be reluctant to leave come the end of April…

Outside of academia, I enjoy freshwater beaches, dancing, camping, listening to music (especially live), telling stories, laughing with my friends and family, cherries, Wes Anderson movies, reminiscing, and really, really, REEEALLLLYYY good food.

I have a great sense of pride for my hometown and my state, and living in Detroit has only strengthened that pride.  Beulah has taught me to appreciate Michigan for all of its natural beauty, great agriculture, and small town warmth while Detroit has shown me a city that has been, and will continue to be, a wonderful asset to the state and deserves to be recognized as such.  I am truly blessed to have this great opportunity and I thank all who have helped propel me to the point I am at today.