Archived Student and Alumni Stories


Student Profiles

Wondering what a "typical" student in the MA in Humanitarian & Disaster Leadership (HDL) program looks like? The short answer is, there is no such thing as a "typical" HDL student. Our students come from a diverse array of backgrounds, interests, and career paths—even ages and life experiences. Here are a few profiles of students in our first cohort to give you a glimpse of the different paths students have taken to this program.

Kati Shepardson
Kati and Katrina

Like many members of the inaugural M.A. in HDL class, Kati brings a wealth of previous experience in humanitarian and disaster relief to the program. In this blog, Kati shares how it all began with her own experience of Hurricane Katrina.

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From Healing Patients to Serving Syrian Refugees

Gigi Dawood worked as an endocrinologist for 13 years after medical school when she signed up for what would turn out to be a life-altering mission trip to Greece to work with Syrian refugees. That decision began a journey that would lead her to the MA in HDL program.

Michael Sawyer standing at Wheaton College sign
Responding to the Groans of Creation

Drawing from his academic background in environmental science and experience in Wheaton College's HNGR program as an undergrad, Michael Sawyer is able to connect his concern for the environment with his compassion for the vulnerable.

Cheryl Sorenson at Blanchard Hall
Growing an NGO From the Classroom

Cheryl Sorenson, co-founder of Dignity4Girls, shares about how her experience leading an NGO led her back into the classroom, and how she’s pouring what she learns in the MA in Humanitarian & Disaster Leadership right back into the organization. 

Dyer Bowers
From Commitment to Qualification

HDL student Dyer Bowers shares her reflections on recent headlines about immigration and refugees, and speaks about the importance of matching a passion to help with the right qualifications.

Career Paths

Although disaster relief and humanitarian aid are relatively new to vocational conversations, they are quickly developing into significant professional fields as disasters and humanitarian crises affect an increasing number of people worldwide. Since the inaugural cohort in 2018, we have had faithful professionals enter the field of humanitarian and disaster work domestically and globally. In addition to the profiles of our alumni above, below are some stories, advice, and resources from Wheaton College alumni who are leaders in related field.

Here’s what they had to say…

Rev. Dr. Laurie Kraus directs Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the national and international response agency for the Presbyterian Church (USA).

I was a pastor in a church in Miami, Florida, when Hurricane Andrew (August 1992, category 5) struck our communities. About a third of our congregation had damage and experienced dislocation. I volunteered to serve on the regional committee that was organizing the Presbyterian presence in the interfaith disaster response. I was made chair. We ran a 3-year disaster response program, including rebuilding, hosting volunteer work teams and long-term volunteers, unmet needs, vacation bible school for a farm work community in the affected zone, and unmet needs committees. After that response was complete, I was invited to serve on a newly formed National Response Team for Presbyterian Church (USA), volunteering a month a year to support/serve with disaster-afflicted communities throughout the US.

Roger Sandberg Jr., Director of Emergency Relief & Global Security with Medical Teams International

Matt Marietta, Fire Marshal, city of Milton, GA

Jim McGee, CEO, American Red Cross, Central California Region