Meet our Perkins Fellows | Vocational Discernment through Community Engagement

If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us walk together.

— Aboriginal activist Lilla Watson

Perkins Fellows explore vocation through weekly community engagement. Named after the great Christian community development leader John M. & Vera Mae Perkins, this program builds bridges between the University and the community through mutually-beneficial partnerships. Perkins Fellows are placed with a community partner to connect their learning through service and theological reflection. Fellows receive mentoring and training in cross-cultural engagement and community development, with an eye towards vocational discernment in these fields of work.

We are thrilled to welcome our 24-25 cohort of 11 Perkins Fellows this year. They’ll be serving at various non-profits in the city, attending the annual Christian Community Development Conference in Portland, OR and, this fall, unpacking the book: Dear White Peacemakers: Dismantling Racism with Grit & Grace by Osheta Moore. You can learn more about our opening orientation, the Perkins Plunge, here. Read on to get to know our wonderful group.

PERKINS FELLOWS -24-25

Eujine Kim: Eujine is a third-year prelaw student double-majoring in Spanish and Global Security & Justice and minoring in Data Science. Eujine hopes to specialize in federal prosecution while also learning more about sports and property law. She believes service is extremely important because the little details are the foundation of a community. Serving at the International Rescue Committee, she hopes to serve the Charlottesville community as a student and a listener.

Zac Toimil: Zac is a third year student from New York City majoring in Public Policy & Leadership. He is a member of Chi Alpha. He likes to read, write, listen to music, and hang out with friends in his free time. He’ll be serving with Habitat for Humanity, to better serve the Charlottesville community and live out being the hands and feet of Jesus beyond UVA’s Grounds. 

Arpan Sathiabalan: Arpan is a fourth-year McIntire student concentrating in accounting and finance. He is the treasurer of Chi Alpha and loves to play sports, classical piano, and read in his free time. Arpan is passionate about mentoring the next generation and will be serving as a tutor for Abundant Life.

Megnot Abebe: Megnot is a fourth-year student majoring in Global Development Studies and Commerce, originally from Addis Abeba, Ethiopia. She is passionate about exploring the intersection of community development, business, and faith, seeking ways to integrate these areas to make a meaningful impact. Megnot continues to serve with Abundant Life Ministries, where she enjoys outdoor activities, connecting with the AL staff, and embracing the art of slowing down. When not in class or at work, Megnot can often be found outside, engrossed in a book or deep in conversation with a friend.

Sara Holt: Sara is a third-year student from Central Virginia majoring in Nursing with a potential double major in Religious Studies. She is looking forward to broadening her perspective of the greater Charlottesville community outside the University of Virginia and better learning how to serve in a way that reflects Jesus, at least in one way, through volunteering at Bread and Roses. Outside of classes, Sara enjoys filling her schedule with babysitting, weightlifting or running, and spending time with friends (especially if it involves going to a coffee shop).

Christine Cheung: Christine is a third-year at UVA and majoring in Economics and Computer Science. She enjoys studying and experiencing the overlap of public, social, and faith efforts with “numbers” work, especially when you get some cool-looking graphs out of it. Through serving at Kindness Cafe, Christine hopes to connect with the broader Charlottesville community and spread love by embodying the compassion and humility of Christ—and with the help of some good coffee, of course. She loves to play her guitar, journal with fountain pens, and go swimming when she finds those special pockets of time.

Lanie Moore: Lanie is graduating this December with degrees in Environmental Science and Global Environments and Sustainability. For her, Perkins Fellows has served as a space for reflection, openness, learning, and unlearning. Having completed her thesis on the topic of environmental justice in Richmond, her hometown, Lanie is interested in obtaining a master’s degree in Urban Planning and pursuing a career in community development. She spends her time working at Kindness Cafe, co-leading a small group Bible study of third-year women, and volunteering at the Haven, a low-barrier day shelter for unhoused individuals. She also enjoys hiking, paddleboarding, and taking long naps.

Eden Abebe: Eden is a third-year student majoring in Global Development Studies and double minoring in Religious Studies and Data Analytics. Passionate about advocacy, civil rights, and education policy, Eden seeks to bridge gaps in communities where inequities persist.  She serves as a counselor on the University Judiciary Committee, mentoring students through the trial process and co-leads a second-year Bible study group. She loves to dance, listens to podcasts, and try new foods. Eden is ecstatic to make an impact through community development and service alongside Abundant Life Ministries this year.

Grace Jackson: Grace is a fourth year student studying Global Development Studies. She loves to spend time at Abundant Life and learn from the kids and staff alike. She seeks to glean wisdom from peacemakers who have come before her, engage in hard conversations, and advocate for justice with humility and grace. She is committed to MLK’s Beloved Community, seeking the biblical vision of shalom both personally and systemically. Grace also loves to engage with the world through pottery, poetry, food, and nature.

Kaya Lynch:  Kaya is a fourth-year studying Speech Communication Disorders. She’s currently volunteering with Kindness Cafe, and loves working with everyone there! Her desire is to help facilitate a more equal world, and to learn more about life by following in the footsteps of those who came before. She is excited to carry the skills and knowledge from Perkins Fellows to her future career!

Fionette King: Fionette is a third-year student studying Global Development Studies. She enjoys serving the Charlottesville community and is currently volunteering at the Music Resource Center. Perkins Fellows has inspired her to be a more careful listener, taking action towards social justice issues. Outside of class, Fionette enjoys dancing, reading, and spending time with friends. Fionette hopes to represent Christ well in her community while forming meaningful connections.

Perkins Fellows 24-25 out at Buck’s Bend for our monthly gathering.