Former Cornell Student Chapter
Connecting Student Leadership with Community Impact
For several years, Mayor Potencial maintained an officially recognized student chapter at Cornell University, bringing together students passionate about global health, education, community development, and international collaboration. Through student-led initiatives, research, outreach, and service opportunities, the chapter provided students with meaningful ways to apply their knowledge and skills while supporting Mayor Potencial’s mission in rural Honduras.
Although the chapter is no longer active, it remains an important part of our organization’s history, reflecting our commitment to student leadership, experiential learning, and community-driven development.
Interested in Getting Involved?
We continue to welcome students and young professionals who want to contribute their skills, gain nonprofit experience, and make a meaningful difference in underserved communities.
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Research & Learning
Connecting academic knowledge with research and community priorities in global health, education, and sustainable development.
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![Three volunteers wearing matching gray shirts sit outside a community building beneath a “Mayor Potencial” program banner, with children and other people in the background.]()
Leadership & Collaboration
Developing leadership, communication, and teamwork skills through student-led initiatives, event planning, and nonprofit involvement.
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![Large multicultural group of children and colunteers posing outdoors among rocks and trees]()
Community Engagement
Building meaningful connections and supporting initiatives guided by the needs, knowledge, and priorities of communities in Honduras.
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![Smiling volunteer holding a happy little girl while sitting on outdoor bleachers]()
Outreach & Fundraising
Raising awareness, engaging supporters, and contributing to fundraising efforts that help advance Mayor Potencial's community-focused projects.
Students Making a Difference
Connecting Knowledge, Leadership, and Community
Mayor Potencial’s former Cornell University Student Chapter brought together students from diverse academic disciplines, united by a shared interest in creating meaningful change.
From public health and education to research, sustainable development, and community outreach, students contributed their perspectives, knowledge, and skills to initiatives supporting communities in rural Honduras.
Their involvement demonstrated how academic learning, collaboration, and student leadership can help address real-world challenges while fostering a deeper understanding of international development and nonprofit service.
Student Leadership
Recognizing the Students Who Helped Shape Our Chapter
Behind Mayor Potencial’s former Cornell University Student Chapter were dedicated students who generously shared their time, talents, and leadership to advance our mission.
We are grateful for the individuals who helped build and strengthen the chapter over the years. Their commitment, creativity, and contributions remain a meaningful part of Mayor Potencial’s story and the connections we have built between students and communities in Honduras.
Vanessa Lobo-Gradiz
Former PresidentVanessa studied Industrial and Labor Relations with a minor in Law and Society. Her experiences in Honduras and nonprofit work in India helped shape her commitment to expanding access to education and economic opportunity.
Kimberly St Fleur
Former TreasurerKimberly studied Global and Public Health Sciences at Cornell, with interests in community development, reproductive health, and infectious diseases.
Jael Ferguson
Former SecretaryJael studied Urban and Regional Studies with interests in international development and sustainability. She joined Mayor Potencial in 2018 following her involvement with Cornell's Agua Clara Sustainable Water Project.
Chris Elliot
Former Events ManagerChris studied Information Science at Cornell and brought interests in data science, humanitarian work, and addressing global inequality to his involvement with Mayor Potencial.
Meet Our Past Student Leaders
Vidushi Tripathi
Former Trips ManagerVidushi studied Healthcare Policy with a minor in Business. After traveling to Honduras with Mayor Potencial in 2018, she became committed to improving healthcare access in underserved communities.
Courtney Noll
Former Research ManagerCourtney studied Industrial and Labor Relations and participated in research related to labor, gender, and international development, with experience working with nonprofit organizations.
Be Part of the Next Chapter
Turn Your Passion into Meaningful Action
Mayor Potencial’s former Cornell University Student Chapter demonstrated the power of bringing students together around a shared commitment to global health, education, community development, and international collaboration.
Now, we’re inviting a new generation of student leaders to build on that legacy.
Interested in restarting the Cornell chapter or starting one at your own university?
Whether you’re a Cornell student hoping to reactivate the former chapter or a student at another college or university interested in establishing a new one, we’d love to hear from you.
With a dedicated group of students and the support of a university advisor, you could help create opportunities for student leadership, collaboration, fundraising, and meaningful engagement with community-led initiatives in rural Honduras.
Your interests in research, outreach, nonprofit leadership, education, or community development could become the foundation for something bigger.
Bring your ideas. Build a team. Make a difference.
Not ready to lead a chapter? Explore other volunteer opportunities and discover how you can contribute.
