Meet the lovely folks that work behind the scenes to make sure Hamilton Scholars runs smoothly and provides the highest quality support and service to all our Scholars!

Angela Hedwall

Executive Director | she/her/hers

I am a dedicated administrator, clinician, and educator with a passion for addressing inequities via social justice and education. I know from my own experience that education is a means of effecting positive change over disadvantage and oppression, and ensuring that students have appropriate and engaged support systems in place is a vital aspect of holistic development, successful student graduation outcomes, and building the future of other service-oriented leaders. As a first-generation college graduate from a very close-knit, low-income family in a rural agrarian community that was uncertain how to make college a reality, AHS’ organizational mission and focus on contributing to the values of authenticity, equity, growth, inclusion, and unity for current and future generations via education, mentorship, and service resonates with me.

I firmly believe that leadership is a service model and within that model the aim is to ensure the creation of a culture of inclusion, diversity, and shared governance with the overarching goal of student mentorship, persistence, and retention.

I hold an Ed.D in Counseling Psychology and have worked extensively with diverse populations in myriad settings including low income, at risk students, adolescents, college students, career counseling, veterans, LGBTQIA, international, and forensic clients/patients.

I value authenticity and transparency in myself and respect the same in others. I am proudly nerdy and love reading, listening to music, traveling with my equally nerdy husband, and watching Dr Who.

I always attempt to follow the sagacious advice of the 12th Doctor: “Never be cruel and never be cowardly. And if you ever are, always make amends.”

Cassandra Baddeley

Program Manager | she/her/hers

Sometimes it just takes one person believing in you to feel like you can do anything and be anyone you want to be in life. I was blessed to have such people throughout my life, but, my high school basketball coach helped me see that the world of education and volunteerism was where I was destined to find my life’s passion.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Child Development with a minor in Psychology from Western Washington University – there I received my Elementary Education Endorsement in K-8 and graduated as a Presidential Scholar. After graduation, I joined the dedicated educators at Thurgood Marshall Elementary School (TM), working alongside talented students and kind volunteers; myself and these amazing folks at TM have been recognized locally and nationally for our work – particularly our hardworking students.

It was at Thurgood Marshall that I saw first-hand the greatest challenges facing underserved students and students of color who come from underrepresented communities; struggles during my time there left a much more lasting impression on my heart than any award ever could. Every public-school student is not given equitable opportunities for the highest level of education or the educational resources they deserve.

I am so excited to be working at AHS where it is our mission to provide our scholars with every possible tool to make sure they can be successful throughout high school, college and beyond. Every day I strive to make a positive impact on the lives of those around me, and I love that AHS is working towards the same mission. There has not been a time in my life when the mission of AHS is more needed in the world than right now - our country needs more leaders who strive for integrity, honesty, and compassion. Our Hammies have all those qualities and more.

When I am not working or busy being the mom to two amazing daughters, I love spending time with family and friends, reading books and solving puzzles of all kinds. I also secretly love watching online school board meetings from around the country as a form of reality tv… but shhh…that’s a secret.

Yenny Arteaga

Marketing & Volunteer Manager | she/her/hers

"Es igual de importante el viaje que el destino" is my go-to Spanish phrase which can be translated to "it's just as important the trip as the destination." I believe that every opportunity is a learning opportunity and a chance for growth. As a first-generation Latina college graduate, my path to my definition of success has seen its fair share of bumps and obstacles.

I graduated from Central Washington University with a B.A. in Communications and a minor in Anthropology; throughout my time, I have depended on my mentors and programs to guide me and be a helping hand so that I could get one step closer to my goals.

At Central, I was a part of its Asia University American Program (AUAP), where I mentored international students while also working for the school's University Advancement communication department. Alexander Hamilton Scholars (AHS) stood out to me for its values in authenticity, equity, growth, integrity, recognition, service, unity, and dedication to its students; this is where I can be a part of a fantastic team that guides and helps others in similar situations as I was.

Besides my passion for social media management, project management, and mentorship, I love superheroes from the DC and Marvel Universe. You can catch me at the movie theatre for a premiere of any Marvel movie or at the comic book store looking for a new DC comic to read.

Vincent Tran

Program Coordinator | he/him/his

As a 2018 Hammie, AHS has always been a very special part of my journey, finding peers that shared similar experiences with me while also looking up to mentors who genuinely believed in me. In 2020 I joined the AHS team for the summer as the Program Intern, working with the Hamilton community in navigating through the changing times.I returned to my university and decided that I was interested in practicing medicine through a humanitarian lens, and focus my research on socioeconomic disparities that affect the health and well being of disadvantaged communities.

While in undergrad, I established an organization called CampMed UCSB, where we focused our work on providing students of disadvantaged backgrounds with health-oriented education and overall shaping the future healthcare leaders of the country.I graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and a minor in Asian American Studies in June 2023. I was then given the honor and privilege to continue my research and interests regarding these disparities through the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine’s Pre-medical Enrichment Program, overall preparing me to apply to medical school while also engaging in discussions regarding the sociopolitical structures that uphold our communities. After finishing up my time at UCLA, I joined AHS in the fall of 2023 as a volunteer within the JEDI department.As I embark on my gap year prior to medical school, I am so excited to be returning to the team in this new role and serve the AHS Community, sharing the experiences I have gained while also soaking in the breath of knowledge that our Hammies have.

Marcela Rodriguez

Program Coordinator | she/her/hers

As a first-generation low-income student, my life has had its fair share of setbacks and moments where I have had to rise to the occasion. There were times when I was not sure if college would be a reality for me, but I was lucky enough to encounter many people who believed in my abilities and passions.

AHS has been incredibly important and transformational for my journey. The staff and fellow Hammies inspire me to keep growing and learning, and I am super excited to be joining Alexander Hamilton Scholars as a Program Specialist this year.I am about to enter my Junior Year at the University of Notre Dame, and I am pursuing Undergraduate degrees in Marketing and Visual Communication Design with a minor in Latino Studies. I have learned so much during my time at ND, and I am looking forward to applying this knowledge to my time at AHS. Outside of class, I like to use my skills and interests to engage with different clubs and organizations that focus on empowering marginalized communities. I hold the position of Creative Director for clubs that focus on immigration advocacy and empowering women through strength training!In my free time, I love to read (send any recs my way), binge-watch shows, and lift!

Lynell Engelmyer

Program Advisor and College / Financial Aid Counselor | she/her/hers

Lynell's education experience came from the admission offices at Union College (NY) and Hartwick College (NY) and as the Director of Financial Aid at Lebanon Valley College (PA). She has also worked for The College Board before beginning her own college counseling practice.

Lynell graduated Summa Cum Laude from Albright College (PA) and earned a master´s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Higher Education Administration (where one of her most difficult tasks was getting her own student loan processed!). She has been involved with private college counseling for over 10 years, and she has volunteered at various college admission and financial aid programs including several which assist underserved populations on the road to college. Lynell loves writing and teaching students about the writing process. She is married and the mother of two children who she hope will someday acknowledge her skill in this field when it´s their turn for college! (Update: these skills paid off and both children are successfully enrolled in college and Lynell has turned to knitting in her empty nest!)

Kelly Herrington

Senior Advisor and College Counselor | he/him/his

Kelly first witnessed educational inequity while attending a large and diverse public high school. Since college, he has been devoted to helping America's most talented but under-supported students attain the opportunities they deserve. He was drawn to Hamilton Scholars due to the fact that it is more than just a scholarship organization; a career educator, Kelly knows how important it is to mentor students during the transition from adolescence to adulthood. Kelly Herrington is a graduate of Union College, where he worked as an Associate Dean of Admissions and Director or International Admissions for seven years. For the past 15 years, he has served as the Director of College Counseling at University Prep in Seattle, WA. Kelly received his master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

Kelly's articles on college admissions have appeared in the Washington Post, the National Association for College Admissions Counseling Journal and most prominently in his grandmother's scrapbook. He helped create Camp College, an early intervention and access program for students of color. He has served on National Association for College Admissions Counseling's (NACAC) Human Relations Committee. He was the recipient of NACAC's rising star award in 2003 and the John Muir Editor's Award in 2005. 

In his spare time Kelly enjoys running, biking, triathlons and hiking. In 1998, Kelly biked across the country with his father in a charity ride for the American Lung Association. An avid reader, a good book and a large Coca Cola make him very happy.

Volunteers

Mikala Lain

Former AHS Assistant Director & Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI), 2015 Hamilton Scholar | she/they

“Whatever happens to you belongs to you. Make it yours. Feed it to yourself even if it feels impossible to swallow. Let it nurture you, because it will.” ― Cheryl Strayed

I’m constantly learning from the people around me, whether it be Cheryl Strayed, my fellow Hammies, or the Starbucks worker who knows my order by heart.  I graduated Cum Laude from Butler University with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration. I am now pursuing a Master’s of Nonprofit Leadership at Seattle University. When I’m not reading research articles or attempting to not kill my house plants, you can definitely find me somewhere outside. I love hiking, kayaking, and all things nature. If I don’t end up living in a tent in the woods someday, I plan to continue turning my passion into profession via the nonprofit sector.

I’m a big advocate for AHS (American Horror Story) and AHS (Alexander Hamilton Scholars). After my time spent as a 2015 scholar, I served as the summer intern for AHS in 2018 where I was given the opportunity to connect with new Hammies and bask in their impactful glow of awesomeness. It was through these experiences that I developed my passion for this program and decided to return in a full-time position. I am eager for the opportunity to collaborate with more cohorts and inspire growth in the program as I continue to grow as a person. AHS has given me some wonderful memories that have molded me into the person I am today. One of my fondest memories of leader week involves bolting out “God Bless America” off-pitch at 3 a.m. on the last night together - now that is an American Horror Story.

A prominent goal outlined in my PDP is to give back to the communities that have previously given to me, which aligns perfectly with my position here at AHS. I’m eager to provide for my fellow Hammies while also gaining invaluable knowledge from the awesome team here. AHS has had such a positive impact on my life, and I am so lucky to have a bigger part in the program.

Elias Olson

Former AHS Communications & Data Manager | he/him/his

Growing up in the suburbs outside of Washington D.C., I found my passion for advocacy and civic engagement at a young age. Today, they stand as cornerstones of my personal and professional life.

In 2014 I moved from one Washington to the other. I had the incredible opportunity to earn my Associates Degree from Olympic College (OC) in Bremerton, WA as part of the dual enrollment program, Running Start. With the mentorship of my high school counselor and faculty advisor at OC, I found my passion for journalism, public relations, and civic engagement.

I began as a staff photographer for The Ranger student newspaper and quickly excelled to PR manager — my first brush with journalism and PR. A year later, I pivoted to serve in student government as Vice President of Public Relations. These opportunities, not possible without the Running Start program, led me to finish my bachelor's degree in journalism with a concentration in public relations at Western Washington University.

Today, you'll find me with my nose buried in Washington Post articles on the daily happenings of my hometown (the other Washington) or tech posts from The Verge on all the latest gizmos and gadgets.

I'm absolutely ecstatic and humbled to be lending my skills to AHS — I can't wait to see how my team, the HamFam, and I grow together!

Interested in a career with AHS? See our open positions here.