Born in Kenya, Michelle Muita spent portions of her youth living with her family variously in the Sudan, the Netherlands, Israel, and Tanzania. These experiences, she says, influenced her decision to major in international studies and political science with a focus on gender development and policy. During the summer of her freshman year, Michelle interned at the Sauti Yetu Center for African Women, a nonprofit center for African immigrant women and children in New York. She also has interned with MercyCorps, helping the organization launch the Action Center to End World Hunger. In the Fall 2008 semester, Michelle coordinated a charity soccer tournament, which raised funds for Grassroot Soccer, an NGO that uses soccer to educate African teenagers about HIV/AIDS prevention. Michelle plans to attend graduate school and conduct research on ethnic conflict, good governance, and effective gender development programs in Sub-Saharan Africa.