Molly Ayers
Senior Director
Molly has over ten years of experience in higher education and the field of civic engagement. As director, she provides leadership and direction to Gonzaga University’s Center for Community Engagement (CCE) by working with colleagues across campus and partners in the local community to develop academic and co-curricular engagement opportunities that help address community need. Her passion for this work was first ignited when she served as an AmeriCorps VISTA coordinating service-learning projects for Seattle-based Alliance for Education. Molly is a graduate of Gonzaga University with a BA in History and an MA in Philosophy. In addition to her work at CCE, she teaches, volunteers regularly, enjoys traveling, yoga, and spending time with her family. Molly can be reached at (509) 313-6396 or ayers@gonzaga.edu.
Emily Banick
Campus Kitchen Program Manager
Emily is the Program Manager for the Campus Kitchen at Gonzaga University. The Campus Kitchens Project utilizes food recovered from on-campus dining facilities to strengthen bodies, empower the minds of student volunteers, and build communities. Emily graduated from Gonzaga with a BA in General Studies and an Elementary Education Endorsement. Contact Emily for current volunteer opportunities at (509) 313-6939 or at banick@gonzaga.edu.
Andrea Davis
Civic Leadership and Engagement Corps (CLEC) members
Andrea Davis is an AmeriCorps College Access Corps Coordinator and serves through h Connections, GAME, and Eye to Eye. She is a proud dyslexic who graduated from Gonzaga University in 2017 with a degree in Communication Studies. She is a passionate disability advocate who loves to talk about accessibility, equity, and inclusion. In her free time, you can find her listening to audiobooks, writing poetry, and watching Parks and Rec. You can reach her at (509) 313-6820 or davisa@gonzaga.edu.
Melanie Francis
Civic Leadership and Engagement Corps (CLEC) members
Melanie is an AmeriCorps College Access Corps Coordinator to Secondary Youth Programs such as Sparks, Connections, GAME, and Eye to Eye. Melanie graduated from Gonzaga with a B.A. in Political Science with minors in Women’s & Gender Studies and Business Administration with a focus on Analytical Finance in 2021. Melanie is an expressive boundary spanner who wants to use her background to serve and lead those around and work to illuminate a path towards a socially responsible and improved system. In her spare time, you can find Melanie spending time with her dog Sophie and her family, trying new local food places, running or indoor cycling, and studying for law school. Melanie can be reached at (509) 313-4605 or francism@gonzaga.edu.
Anna Gade
Civic Leadership and Engagement Corps (CLEC) members
Anna is an AmeriCorps Nutrition Education and Support Coordinator working with Campus Kitchens. She is originally from Roseburg, Oregon. Anna is a Gonzaga 2021 graduate with an undergraduate degree in psychology, and she is currently enrolled in the Master’s in Organizational Leadership program at GU. In her free time, Anna enjoys hiking, reading, record shopping and spending time with her friends and family. You can reach her at (509) 313-7210 or gade@gonzaga.edu.
Trevor Iwata
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
Trevor grew up in Lake Arrowhead, a small mountain town in Southern California, before moving to Walla Walla, WA, to attend college and begin a career path in steel manufacturing. Nearly ten years later, he moved to the "big city" of Spokane to work for the Kalispel Tribe. Living in small towns all of his life, he deeply understands the importance of bringing people together with programs intended to support our communities. Aside from loving the abundant outdoors that Washington has to offer, Trevor is a proud Eagle Scout with a passion for technical theater and contemporary art. He is honored to be a part of Opportunity Northeast and the Center for Community Engagement team and is excited to work with place-based community engagement in Spokane. Trevor can be reached at (509) 313-5893 or iwata@gonzaga.edu.
Dylan Jouliot
Data and Evaluation Analyst
Dylan is a proud Gonzaga graduate and is thrilled to be working at his alma mater. He has spent his career working in various aspects of data management and analysis in the private sector, including stops at T-Mobile and LEGO. He earned his Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from UCLA in 2018 and has been focused on working to improve city and community outcomes since then. While he's been working in the transportation sector the past two years, Dylan is excited for the opportunity to use data analysis to inform the work of improving health, education, and community engagement outcomes for Gonzaga’s neighbors and support Opportunity Northeast. Dylan can be reached at (509) 313-5867 or jouliot@gonzaga.edu.
Zinzi Kellen
Assistant Director of Campus Engagement
Zinzi was born and raised in South Africa. She has a Social Sciences Degree from Rhodes University. She volunteered and worked for several non-profit organizations in South Africa and has a deep passion for community engagement. She is particularly passionate about community led initiatives that are sustainable and tap into the natural assets of communities. Zinzi wanted to work for Opportunity Northeast because it reminds her of her African roots; of the village taking care of its people and of the South African concept of Ubuntu which means ‘I am because you are’. She is also thrilled to be joining the CCE team and be part of facilitating opportunities for the GU family to serve the community and truly live the Jesuit mission. She lives with her partner, two young children and her two dogs. Zinzi can be reached at (509) 313-6937 or kellen@gonzaga.edu.
Julia Larsen
Program Assistant III
Since moving from Youth Programs Program Assistant II to the position of Program Assistant III in 2016 her current role provides administrative and logistical support across all areas of CCE. Julia was born in Great Britain and become a naturalized citizen of the USA in August 2019. She studied at Hitchin Girls School in Hertfordshire, England, where she graduated at the Advanced Level in English and Sociology. Following a 2-year period of traveling and working in Europe, Julia joined the Corporate Sector in the UK where she worked for many years. She is enjoying adapting her office & administration skills in the field of higher education while supporting the CCE team, and the mission of our students and Gonzaga. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening, the outdoors (amateur), furniture restoration, the families 2 cats, (Seamus & Gracie), the beautiful Pacific Northwest and spending time with her husband and 3 kids (an 18 year old son and 17 year old twin daughters) Julia can be reached at (509) 313-6898 or at larsenj2@gonzaga.edu.
Sarah Marr
Community Engaged Learning Coordinator
Sarah is the Community Engaged Learning Coordinator and a proud Gonzaga aluma with her BA in Sociology. She has 5 years of experience in the nonprofit world and a passion for community partnerships and leadership development. Inspired by Jesuit values, Sarah served full-time as a Jesuit Volunteer in Portland, Maine after graduating, preparing meals in a resource center kitchen and living in an intentional community. After moving back to Spokane, Sarah worked at a local nonprofit promoting relationship building, inclusivity, and independence with people with developmental disabilities. Sarah's passion for community-based work, advocacy, and lifelong learning has brought her back to Gonzaga to support the Community Engaged Learning courses. She is excited to support students in gaining meaningful experiences off campus to enhance their learning. Outside of her work, Sarah enjoys exploring the great outdoors, coaching soccer, trying new foods, and spending time with her puppy! You can reach her at(509) 313-6836 or marrs2@gonzaga.edu.
Abigail Martin
Youth Programs Manager
Abbey has a background in education (she's taught every grade from Kindergarten through graduate school, across disciplines in general education and special education), policy studies and community development. She is interested in developing meaningful relationships and fostering healthy, diverse and inclusive communities. Abbey manages the elementary Youth Programs for CCE, and is thrilled to be part of this talented, compassionate and bright team. Outside of work, you can find her walking around West Central with her partner and two pups, Clementine and Malcolm. You can reach her at (509) 313-6828 or martina2@gonzaga.edu.
Anthony Medina
Assistant Director of Community Engaged Learning
Anthony works with the Community Engaged Learning programs and oversees the CCE’s marketing efforts. He joined the CCE Team in July of 2017. He received his BA in Communication from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore and his MSEd in Higher Education from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. After completing his undergraduate studies, Anthony served as a Jesuit Volunteer as the Community Engagement Coordinator at a high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He enjoys hiking, reading, and having good conversations over lunch or coffee. Originally from Secaucus, New Jersey, Anthony is excited to explore Spokane and be a part of the Gonzaga family. Anthony can be reached at (509) 313-6487 or medinaa@gonzaga.edu.
Phoebe Oosterhuis
Business Manager
Phoebe joined CCE in July of 2012. Originally from Minneapolis, she moved to Spokane in 2010 when her husband accepted a professorship at Gonzaga. Although she misses her family and friends (but not the mosquitoes or humidity) in the Midwest, she has grown to love the inland northwest. Phoebe has a BA from the College of St. Benedict in St. Joseph, MN and is currently pursuing a Masters in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga. When she is not at CCE, Phoebe enjoys hiking, cooking, crafting, yoga, performing in local theater, and spending time with her husband and son. Phoebe can be reached at (509) 313-6879 or oosterhuisp@gonzaga.edu.
Brandi Praytor-Marsters
Assistant Director of Youth Programs
Brandi joined the CCE team in 2014 and supervises four youth programs and initiatives: Connections, GAME, Eye to Eye, and Sparks. She completed three terms of service for the Federal Way Public Schools AmeriCorps team after receiving a BS in Sociology from the University of Idaho. She is working toward a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership through Gonzaga University. Brandi enjoys spending time with her kiddo, reading, and exploring Spokane and the greater PNW . You can reach her at (509) 313-6486 or marsters@gonzaga.edu.
Renne Richards
Civic Leadership and Engagement Corps (CLEC) members
Renne Richards is an AmeriCorps College Access Corps Coordinator serving with Elementary Youth Programs. She graduated from Gonzaga in May 2021 with a BA in Sociology and a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. During her time at GU, Renne was a Student Liaison in CCE, a trip leader for Justice in January, and was involved in Walking School Bus and Zag Volunteer Corps. She’s excited to continue building connections within the Spokane community and contribute to the support network for local students and families. Outside of CCE, you can find her at the movie theater, on a walk, or searching for the best crispy chicken sandwich in Spokane. You can reach her at (509) 313-4604 or richardsr@gonzaga.edu.
Rhian Thomas
Civic Leadership and Engagement Corps (CLEC) members
Rhian graduated from Gonzaga in 2021 with a B.S. in Biology and minor in Solidarity and Social Justice. She is an Academic Support and Success Coordinator for AmeriCorps and will be supporting the elementary Youth Programs. She is originally from Las Vegas and enjoys playing basketball, reading, and spending time with friends and family. You can reach her at (509) 313-5524 or thomasr4@gonzaga.edu.
Jon Williams
AmeriCorp Community Outreach VISTA
Jon graduated from Gonzaga this spring with a degree in sociology and economics. During his time as a student, he served in several CCE programs including Connections, Logan Community House, and Opportunity Northeast Summer Fellows. Outside of serving, the highlight of his time at Gonzaga was studying abroad in Florence, Italy. Inspired by his Catholic upbringing, he is returning to the CCE office this year as an Americorps VISTA, working with the Logan House, Summer Fellows, and food security programs across Northeast Spokane. In his free time, you can find him reading, hiking, or watching movies. You can reach him at (509) 313-7305 or williamsj4@gonzaga.edu
Bailley Wootton
Director of Strategic Partnerships
Bailley joined the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) in 2011 after working for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee. As Associate Director, she supports CCE’s local co-curricular programs, resource development, and strategic partnerships and outreach initiatives, including the Hillyard Youth Collaborative. Bailley received her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University and her master's degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. She is originally from Spokane and loves being back in the Northwest. Outside of work, Bailley spends her time with family and friends- chasing around her two young children, going to the Pend Oreille River, volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters, and serving as an elder at her church. Bailley can be reached at (509) 313-6821 or wootton@gonzaga.edu.
