Our 2023 Scholars serving in the United States
Be sure to see how our scholar alumni are utilizing their Wheaton training in The United States.
Aaliya Burch
U.S. - Global Leadership
Kenneth T. Wessner Scholarship
Aaliyah recognizes the small number of missionaries of color being sent and would love to help spark a new wave of cross-cultural ministry through enhanced preparation. Aaliyah expects this degree to help her “educate others on this issue, promote diversity, and equip/prepare people of color to thrive in their missional work overseas.”
Jessica Burnside
U.S. - Marriage & Family Therapy
Kenneth T. Wessner Scholarship, Kenneth Hansen Memorial Award
Jessica was given a ministry by the Lord to minority mothers in hospitals as she parented her own special needs and terminally ill child. She founded Love to Life Foundation to raise funds to provide free mental health therapy for low-income, minority families in health crises. Jessica desires this training so she can provide professional counseling services.
Cara Hambrick
U.S. - Global Leadership
Kenneth T. Wessner Scholarship
Cara returns to Wheaton for her master’s degree to increase her ability to lead and equip diverse teams who help people out of poverty. She serves with CrossPurpose in Denver which provides personal and professional development services; certification for mid-level industry skills; and social capital-building through the local church.
Mollie Hansen
U.S. - Outdoor & Adventure Leadership
Adolph & Emma Hermann Scholar
Mollie is “praying that the Lord uses this (Wheaton) program to give me a vision of how I can integrate the skills acquired through HoneyRock, my gifts and passions, my love for running, and my eagerness for hospitality in order to be an ambassador for Christ, wherever He has me in the World.” As a pastor’s kid, she dreams of the establishment of a wilderness retreat for Christian leaders and their families one day.
Andrew Lee
U.S. - Global Leadership
Kenneth T. Wessner Scholarship, Elizabeth H. Lecker Award
Andrew has almost 20 years of urban ministry experience and currently serves as Executive Director of Operations of the Urban Ministry Institute (TUMI) ministry of World Impact. The global urban population continues to grow and become more complex, so he comes to Wheaton to understand these dynamics and study how to address the challenges. Andrew is married with two children.
Alexa Nelson
U.S. - Marriage and Family Therapy
Adolph & Emma Hermann Scholarship
Alexa has been the Antioch Discipleship School Administrator for two years preparing others for missions. Now, she embarks on her Wheaton journey to support Antioch workers overseas and contribute on church-planting teams long term.
Carlos Antonio Perez
U.S. - Missional Church Movements
Kenneth T. Wessner Scholar
Carlos is a Latino pastor and missionary with the Christian & Missionary Alliance in Rogers Park (Chicago). He also serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the Family Empowerment Centers, which was founded by an earlier Billy Graham Urban Scholar. Through this Wheaton program, Carlos is looking forward to collaboration with other missional-minded urban leaders and to be able to develop and implement missional strategies in his ministries.