Dylan Woodbury – Area Leader
Since I was in high school, one of my greatest joys has been reaching out my hand and guiding the generation coming up right behind me. I’ve been blessed with numerous mentors who have taken me under their wings and changed the trajectory of my life, so it has long been my mission to do the same. There is something special about receiving love and wisdom from someone just ahead of you in the journey. Entering into adulthood can feel overwhelming at times, but knowing you’re not alone in the struggle can make all the difference. Between 2019 and 2022, I worked in Education, primarily as a High School English Teacher. I loved spending my days with students, building relationships with them, and cultivating a strong community of diverse voices inside the classroom. It was here I witnessed the power of someone feeling seen and supported by at least one individual. I saw students experience tremendous growth and overcome great obstacles because they had someone in their corner. In 2021, God began putting college students on my heart. I truly believe college is one of the most pivotal seasons in life since this is when young adults are asking important questions and deciding who they want to become. My life changed at age 20 when I unexpectedly had to leave my dream school to seek healing from a crippling anxiety disorder. After spending months in both spiritual and mental health counseling, I realized I was putting my identity in all the wrong places. My self-worth depended on what I could do instead of who I was, which kept me hustling for the approval of others. I’m now grateful I crumpled underneath the pressure because it led me to discovering the truth: I am a child of God, chosen and dearly loved just as I am. Subsequently, I found freedom from anxiety and emerged from this season a more healthy and whole human being. Therefore, I wasn’t surprised that I was feeling called to serve college students, but I had no idea what that would look like. Then I received the opportunity to join IFI as the Tempe Area Leader and it all began to make sense. I hold a deep appreciation for other cultures and love to learn from people who don’t share my worldview. I took a gap year in college and traveled to Ecuador, India and Zambia, so I’ve also experienced what it’s like to be pulled out of my comfort zone and into an entirely different way of life. While living abroad, I was blown away by the radical hospitality I received from strangers who became family. They gave me a home away from home, and showed me the beautiful gifts we gain through living in deep community with people of varied ethnicities, ages, and backgrounds. There are more than 17,000 international students from over 158 countries studying at Arizona State University, making it the #1 public university chosen by international students. It is my goal to make them feel welcomed, supported and celebrated as they adjust to a new culture and chapter in life. I see myself as a bridge between international students and a loving community who will walk alongside them as they navigate the murky waters of adulthood. No one should have to do this alone, but many do. Fortunately, the solution is simple. One friend, host family, or local community group can change a life. My mission will not be complete until every international student at ASU knows they belong and has a place to call home.
Shania Narcisse – Area Coordinator
For as long as I can remember, I have always loved helping and serving those younger than me. After all, they’re our future. I grew up without much guidance and assistance in how to face the world. I was told I could do anything I set my mind to, and was then left to figure out what that meant on my own. I went through rough patches and learned some hard lessons. There was no one consistently pouring love and wisdom into me or showing me the ropes. I wanted to be that for someone else. I aspired to be the person someone could call when life got hard, when it was easy and they wanted to celebrate, or even if to ask which brand of toilet paper is better. I also wanted to be there for more serious questions, like how do I set up a bank account, find what my purpose is, and figure out where I belong. I wanted them to know they weren’t alone. In February of 2022, a passion ignited in me for college students and I knew it was all God. College was a huge step for me, and with no clear vision or purpose for my life, I unfortunately never completed it. It was through that experience that I understood why God was calling me to them. He was calling me to bring His light into the darkness. It was His sweet reminder of “I chose you” that opened the door for me to begin healing and learning who I was in Him instead of who I was to the world. He switched my perspective. I could finally stop striving and live in the freedom that was already paid for me. At the beginning of 2023, a friend told me about a job opportunity she wanted me to read about because I fit the description perfectly. I definitely hadn’t seen a job description like that before in my life; not one that had my name all over it. Once I read it however, I understood. It was the opportunity to join IFI Tempe as the Area Coordinator. During my first service trip to Brazil, the love and hospitality I received transformed my life. I didn’t want to come back home. I wasn’t stuck in my comfort zone. I was forced to change and adapt…and man was it worth it! My job is to show that same level of love and hospitality to every international student at ASU. If I can make a difference in one student’s life, it’s worth it, and how much more if we join together to make the difference…one friend at a time. One host family. One community. One state. You get the idea. I want every international student to know they have a home here.
Jenny Farkas – Campus Mom
Growing up in rural Virginia, our family had an open door policy. Anyone who entered our house wasn’t allowed to walk out hungry. My parents operated a tiny, made-from-scratch bakery and catering business. They warmly welcomed friends, neighbors, and the occasional stranded motorist, and fed them. In college, I traded my close-knit community for a multicultural community nearly 5,000 miles from home, in Hilo, Hawaii. Enamored by the vibrant variety of cultures and languages, I eagerly embraced the new foods, fun and freedom. Yet, as the semester wore on, academic pressures, financial instability, and the task of juggling multiple part-time jobs began to take a toll on me. I finally hit a wall when I received troubling news from home. Overwhelmed, I felt isolated and sank into depression. Everything changed when a friend extended an invitation to a Thanksgiving potluck hosted by a campus club and some local churches. Drawn by the prospect of free food, I reluctantly crawled out of my cave, and found a community that helped fill the hole in my soul. Volunteers showed genuine interest in students. We were welcomed into their homes to celebrate holidays. They took us on hiking adventures and trips to other islands. When students walked through difficult times, they were our advisors and advocates. During important performances and games, they were our cheerleaders. In short, they provided the family we needed when we missed our own family members the most. Nearly 30 years later, I am honored to be a “Campus Mom” at Arizona State University. It’s my privilege to offer hospitality and friendship to students from all over the world.