Thursday, August 12, 2021

Meet the PathWays Fellows


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Update: Watch the commissioning of this year's PathWays Fellows in our worship service on August 15..

The Chapel's PathWays Fellowship not only gives participants the tools they need to discern their vocational and spiritual direction, but it also gives them opportunities for exploration, leadership, mentorship, service, and formation deeply rooted in the local community and their Christian traditions. Here are the PathWays Fellows for 2021–22:

Ce'Ondra Ellison

Ce’Ondra Ellison, T’21, graduated from Duke with majors in psychology and African and African American studies and a certificate in human rights. She was born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, but attended a magnet arts middle and high school in High Point, North Carolina, where she developed a love for performing, writing poetry, and advocating for social justice. While at Duke, Ce’Ondra performed with Nakisai African Dance Ensemble and United in Praise Gospel Choir and volunteered at the Community Empowerment Fund. Ce’Ondra was attracted to the PathWays Fellowship due to its focus on community and spiritual discernment. She came into the program with a love for the Durham community and hopes to foster a relationship with the West End community. She currently works at World Relief Durham in Immigration Legal Services and Refugee Resettlement. Ce’Ondra is excited about the advocacy skills and legal knowledge she is developing and looks forward to continuing to sharpen and expand her knowledge and skillset when she matriculates to law school next fall.

Boyoung Michelle Kim

Boyoung Michelle Kim, T’21, graduated from Duke with a major in biology and minors in computer science and chemistry. Having moved around her entire life—most recently to Idaho— she is thankful for the opportunity to live in Durham for another year. As an undergraduate, she was involved with Asian InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, where she strengthened her conviction to translate faith into serving her community. Her desire to care for neglected voices, particularly those of older adults, was confirmed by serving at the nonprofit Adopt-A-Grandparent. As a PathWays Fellow, she hopes to learn about Durham's history and to engage with the city not as a college student but as a participating community member. Aspiring to ultimately become a physician, she is eager to learn about the complexities of healthcare access while reaching older residents as she works with Senior PharmAssist this year.

Taylor Patton

Taylor Patton, T’21, graduated from Duke with a neuroscience major and minors in German and biology. She was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina, before her time as an undergraduate. Her commitment to community-building and volunteer work led her to be named a B.N. Duke Memorial Scholar, giving her the opportunity to work in communities across the Carolinas. As she prepares for a future career in social work and therapy, Taylor is looking forward to pursuing her passion for helping others through her work with Families Moving Forward and experiencing personal, professional, and spiritual growth during her time as a PathWays fellow.

Sarah Watkins

Born and raised in Winston-Salem, Sarah Watkins is a North Carolina woman through and through. At Duke, she studied as a B.N. Duke Scholar, double majoring in psychology and global health, with a particular interest in psychosocial and emotional wellbeing as it relates to identity, health-seeking behaviors, and health outcomes. Sarah spent her time as an undergraduate teaching an intergenerational ethics house course with “overgrads” and “undergrads” while working for Sustainable Duke, the Kenan Institute for Ethics, and the Penny Pilgram George Women’s Leadership Institute. She is grateful for the opportunity to live in an intentional community with her other fellows and the residents of the West-End community. Sarah hopes to explore her passion for sexual and LGBTQ+ health through her work with the Duke Division of Family Medicine and Community Health while expanding her spirituality through Duke Divinity School courses and fellowship with her peers and the Durham community.