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

Assistant Director | 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 Specialist | 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 Holguin

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 learning and pushing boundaries, and I am incredibly excited to be joining Alexander Hamilton Scholars for another summer as a Program Coordinator.

I am a rising senior at the University of Notre Dame, and I am pursuing an Undergraduate degree 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 Director for an initiative that focuses on immigration advocacy and will be President of a club that empowers women through strength training!

In my free time, I love to read (send any recs my way), binge-watch shows, and lift! I can't wait to keep cheering on our Hammies and meet our newest cohort.

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.

Sentra Ho

Program and Marketing Intern | sher/her/hers

"No matter who you are, where you’re from, your skin colour, gender identity: speak yourself." —Kim Namjoon of BTS.

I remember the first time I realized I was different. I was six and questioning everything—why I looked different, why my parents spoke a language no one else’s did, why my mind seemed to work in ways others didn’t understand. It took years to make sense of those feelings, to recognize and embrace my identity. But now, I speak up—not just for myself, but for others still learning to find their voice.

I’m an autistic, first-generation Vietnamese-American and a daughter of refugees. I was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, but just before my senior year, I made the difficult decision to move to Orange County, California, on my own, seeking more than what my hometown could offer. Just before that move, I became a 2022 Hamilton Scholar, an honor that gave me the support and community I had long been missing.

Applying to college was far from easy. I balanced a part-time job, volunteer work, and school, all while translating for my parents and taking on adult responsibilities far earlier than most. There were moments I felt entirely alone, but Hamilton Scholars never let me fall through the cracks.

Today, I’m a second-year Political Science major with a minor in Spanish at the University of California, Irvine, on the pre-law track. As a Program and Marketing Intern with Hamilton Scholars, I’m proud to give back to the very community that helped me find my identity and passions. Guided by lived experience, I advocate for racial justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and mental health awareness, waking up every day to help build the kind of world I once needed. 

Emely Lopez

Program and Marketing Intern | she/her/hers

"Paciencia y fe" - "Patience and faith" Something my mother and I always say as we joke about our frustrating circumstances, like waiting in line forever at the DMV or bumper-to-bumper rush hour traffic. Yet, in my senior year of high school, the words rang especially true. While I navigated the overwhelming college application, acceptance, and financial aid processes, "patience and faith" was an unspoken mantra that kept me grounded. Through it all, AHS played a huge role in helping me stay on track and having faith in myself. Every unsure step was led by the support I had received. Beyond that, AHS helped me realize that I'm not just somebody who needs support, but I can be that support too.

As a first-generation Cuban-American and full-ride student at the University of Rochester, my days are spent growing, learning, and finding purpose. My days consist of going to classes, studying, hanging out with my roommate, and picking up new hobbies that give me joy and balance. I am majoring in Biology with a potential double major in Psychology and a concentration in Women’s Studies.

In addition, I am dedicated to my nonprofit, Hearts to Heal, which helps individuals who’ve been through abuse, something I personally experienced myself. With this work, I try to be the support I wish I had, giving out resources, compassion, and hope to people who are hurting. I personally take pride in what I do since even if I can help one individual, that's all that matters to me.

Born and raised in Miami, Florida, I am hoping my efforts reach individuals from both near and far. AHS has not only been a guiding light thus far, but a major propeller into a better tomorrow.

Volunteers