Growing up in Tulsa, Seerut developed a deep passion for serving and advocating for communities. She graduated from New York University in 2026, where she created an interdisciplinary major in Urban Sociology, Public Policy, and Economics dedicated to understanding and addressing the systems, policies, and inequalities that shape people’s lives. During her time at NYU, Seerut served as a student organizer, an editor for the Public Policy review, and an intern with the Oklahoma Center for Community & Justice, NYC Administration for Children’s Services, and the Center for an Urban Future. She also received a grant to conduct independent research mapping community assets and resource gaps in North Tulsa. This year, Seerut will be working with Tulsa Area United Way as a Community Impact and Data Associate, where she hopes to help build a more equitable Tulsa and give back to the community that has given her so much.

Ryan was born and raised in the Philippines before moving to Japan for high school, eventually arriving in Tulsa in 2022 to study at Oral Roberts University. He graduated with a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in International Relations and served as an Outreach Coordinator and a Dorm Chaplain, roles that deepened his passion for leadership and service. Outside ORU, he interned at FreshRx Oklahoma and worked as a Research Associate for Ota‑NA Global, which deepened his commitment to global and public health and to championing health as a human right. He now continues this work as a Tulsa Service Year Fellow for the Office of Health and Well‑Being in the City of Tulsa, aiming to help every Tulsan have the chance to live their healthiest life. Outside the office, he enjoys exploring Tulsa’s food and coffee scene, cycling in Riverside, and playing sports.

Roma Belle Carter graduated from The University of Tulsa with a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and a minor in Health Sciences. Her degree path was largely guided by a curiosity to educate, create, and analyze underrepresented voices within our digital world. She pursued this passion as a correspondent and audio engineer for the podcast Focus: Black Oklahoma and for TUTV, the campus broadcasting organization. In addition, because of her 5 months spent in Thailand, Roma worked as a Global Ambassador for CIS Abroad, a national study abroad organization, in which she garnered meaningful relationships both professionally and personally. Roma’s position within Tulsa Service Year is as a digital storytelling fellow with the Indigenous non-profit Words of the People. In her free time, she likes to thrift, listen to music, and hangout with friends, family, and her two cats.

Ricardo is from Orlando, Florida and graduated from Rollins College in 2025 with a BA in Social Entrepreneurship and minor in African American Studies. At Rollins, Ricardo was deeply involved in leadership and community engagement work, serving as a service-learning program coordinator, peer mentor, domestic and international trip facilitator, entrepreneurship honor society chapter lead, AmeriCorps Vista associate and more. With an emphasis on experiential program design for social impact, Ricardo finds purpose shaping programming around domestic and global community immersion, service-learning and equitable changemaking, with the vision to empower, improve quality of life and create avenues to thrive for all people.Outside of positive changemaking work, Ricardo loves to reflect, bike, read, travel, exercise and continuously embarks on new adventures, learning about history, cultures and people.

Rain Aman is a 2024 graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Art History with a concentration in contemporary art, sustainability, and conservation. Having grown up across several countries, Rain developed a deep appreciation for storytelling, cultural exchange, and the power of the arts to build connection across communities. Throughout her academic and professional experiences, she has worked in arts organizations, galleries, education programs, and community engagement roles, cultivating a passion for creative advocacy and social impact.As a Tulsa Service Year Fellow partnered with Poetic Justice, Rain supports programs that amplify the voices of incarcerated women through writing, storytelling, and restorative arts practices. She is excited to help foster spaces for creativity, healing, and community while contributing to efforts that promote dignity and justice. Outside of work, Rain is an artist and poet who enjoys camping, hiking, and creating projects that bring people together through art and storytelling.

Phoebe Beckwith is a Tulsa native serving as an Entrepreneur Experience Associate Fellow with Endeavor Heartland, where she supports high-growth entrepreneurs across the region. She graduated from Denison University with a double major in Global Commerce and Spanish, focusing her studies on economic development, market research, and public policy, with a regional emphasis on Latin America and the Caribbean. She also studied abroad in Cusco, Peru, through the School for International Training. Outside of work, she enjoys singing jazz, exploring Tulsa's local coffee scene, and staying active in the gym.

Moorea graduated from New York University, where she double-majored in Public Policy and Global Liberal Studies with a concentration in French. Passionate about reducing educational disparities and improving access to developmental pathways, Moorea will contribute to the intersection of this work as a fellow with The Opportunity Project. Born and raised in Northwest Arkansas, Moorea spends her free time hiking through the Ozarks, trying local restaurants, or playing cards with friends.

McKenna Reeves graduated from Bard College in 2026 with a BA in Biology with a concentration in Global Public Health, a certificate in Civic Engagement, and a minor in Chemistry. At Bard, McKenna was a leader of The SCALE Project, the low-income and first-generation program, in addition to being a writing fellow, and a peer tutor with the Bard Prison Initiative. She was also a student athlete on the Bard Women's Soccer and Track and Field teams. Being from Central PA, McKenna is excited for a new adventure in Tulsa and to join the Amplify Youth Health Collective team as a Capacity Builder with the Training and Outreach team where they can grow in science communication and advocacy.

Although Lacee is originally from Austin, Texas, he considers Tulsa home. Five years ago, he moved to Oklahoma to attend the University of Tulsa, where he recently graduated with bachelor's degrees in Psychology and English (Creative Writing). During his time at TU, he immersed himself in work centered on community, creativity, and belonging, serving as a Resident Assistant, Research Assistant in the INSPIRE Lab, and Program Developer at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, where he developed PRISM, an arts-based community initiative for LGBTQIA+ youth that brings together creative expression and mentorship.As a poet and Tulsa Artist Fellowship mentee, Lacee believes storytelling has the power to strengthen communities and help people feel seen, and he is continually drawn toward work that creates spaces where people can belong. He is excited to spend the coming year with Tulsa Service Year continuing to invest in the city that has invested so much in him while exploring a question that guides much of his work: What does it truly mean to build community?

Ben is brand new to Tulsa, originally hailing from Pennsylvania. He recently graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a Master of International Affairs and holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and anthropology. Prior to moving to Oklahoma, he owned and operated his own marketing firm in Scranton and worked with Global Health Strategies, a New York-based communications firm. Now, as a Tulsa Service Year fellow, Ben is excited to work with the Tristesse Grief Center as its Strategic Communications Specialist. In his free time, Ben enjoys hiking, reading, and participating in Tulsa’s board gaming community.

Ava graduated from Boston College in 2026 with a degree in Political Science and Communication. As a member of the Muscogee Nation and someone deeply committed to public service, she is passionate about building stronger connections between communities and government. Through her placement with the City of Tulsa’s Office of Tribal Policy and Partnerships, Ava works alongside tribal leaders and city officials to support meaningful collaboration. She is excited to return, and give back, to her hometown while learning more about the intersection of tribal law, policy, and community development. Outside of work, Ava enjoys watching movies, spending time outdoors, and attending concerts whenever she gets the chance.