Get to Know Your MCAN Board Members!

Student Board Representatives

Carleton alum Debra Ponce de Leon ’81

Debra Ponce de Leon ’81

MCAN Board Chair

Debra is a member of the Class of 1981 and majored in Economics.  Debra also has an MBA from DePaul University in International Finance. She continued her Carleton affiliation through the Chicago Alumni network including several years as chair and as a member/chair on the Class of ’81 Reunion committees. Today, Debra is the Small Business Credit Risk Executive at Bank of America.  She is a member of Bank of America’s Hispanic Latino Executive Council, is co-executive sponsor of Chicago’s HOLA employee network, leads Global Risk Management’s ALIGN network of Black/African American and Hispanic Latino executives, and in 2021, will co-sponsor a Multicultural Women’s Sponsor program in Chicago. Debra has two children who would not apply to Carleton and through them served on the Adlai E. Stevenson High School Choir Guild Board; Lincolnshire-Prairieview School District 103 Finance Committee; District 103 Learning Fund Board, and volunteer in the Lincolnshire Sports Association and Lincolnshire Lightning organizations.

Carleton alum Kurchi Basu '11

Kurchi (Jojo) Basu ’11

I graduated in the class of 2011, with a sociology/anthropology major, Latin American studies minor, and Spanish certification. I moved to Houston, TX, to join Teach for America and obtained an M.Ed in educational leadership from the University of St. Thomas. I am engaged in civic activities, particularly supporting first-gen, lower-income students. 

I currently serve as the Director of College Match at College Possible, overseeing strategy and program implementation to address the opportunity gap. Outside of my professional role, I perform with the Houston show choir (was part of Acapella at Carleton), and actively volunteer with dog rescues, fostering stray dogs and puppies. In addition to working with MCAN, I have had experience previously supporting Carleton as an AAR board member. 

Carleton alum Bethany Bobo ’20

Bethany Bobo ’20

I came to Carleton from Olive Branch, Mississippi and am a member of the historic class of 2020!  At Carleton, I majored in English, minored in Music Performance, and worked for 3 years in the OIIL office as a house manager in Freedom House (a.k.a. Black Haus) and as an Office Assistant. I loved being a member of the Carleton Voice Program and Exit69.

I have been on MCAN since I was a student representative my senior year, having been the young alum representative after graduation and now being just alum! After 2 years in nonprofit communications in Minneapolis, I moved to Texas and started a graphic design and digital marketing consulting business. I’m passionate about providing Black, queer, and women-owned businesses and nonprofits with holistic design and communications in a way that centers autonomy, community and collaboration and I’m grateful to get to do that everyday. In my free time, I enjoy finding new recipes, restaurants, parks and podcasts to indulge in. 

Carleton alum Ricky Garcia ’21

Ricardo (Ricky) Garcia ’21

I graduated from Carleton in 2021, majoring in Sociology and Anthropology and double minoring in Educational Studies and Spanish. I am now an American University student pursuing an M.Ed. in Education Policy and Leadership.

Outside of school, I work as a Community Schools Coordinator at a DCPS elementary. I hope to do more educational policy research in the near future. At Carleton I was heavily involved, serving as a Residential Assistant (RA) for three years and a Program Director (PD) for Swipe Out Hunger and Food Recovery Network. I was also an MCAN Representative for the class of 2021 and have been in MCAN since!

Carleton alum Jenny Lopez
Jenny Lopez

Jennifer Lopez ’02

Jenny Lopez is a member of the class of 2002 who majored in history.  At Carleton, she served as a MPL (Multicultural Peer Leader), a New Student Week leader, and participated in various organizations.  She had numerous on-campus jobs and studied abroad in Northern Ireland.  Post-Carleton, she went for her master’s in Higher Education Administration with a special focus on retention of unrepresented students.  After working at Northwestern University and Loyola University Chicago, she decided to leave the field.  She now works as a Real Estate Appraiser in Chicago.  This career path allows her to utilize her Carleton-groomed research and writing skills.  She is interested in issues of access, retention, as well as the impact of physical space on these issues.   

Carleton alum Alicia Telle ’23

Alicia Telle ’23

Alicia is a member of the Class of 2023 and majored in Sociology and Anthropology. Alicia was raised in the Bahamas and spent two years at UWC Changshu China. She grew up playing lots of sports and loves to cook and go to the beach with family and friends. She learned about Carleton at UWC and was very excited to experience a liberal arts education on a small campus. It is quite interesting being the only Bahamian at Carleton, but she enjoys the opportunity to share her culture with others and to engage with other international students in our community. 

Carleton alum Amadou Tine ’22

Amadou Tine ’22

Amadou is a member of the Class of 2022 who majored in Economics, and minored in Public Policy. At Carleton he was part of the Black Student Alliance, Muslim Student Association, and Men of Color. Some of his hobbies include recording his podcast called The Lost Bloodline, playing FIFA, and playing basketball. His main interest lies in entrepreneurship and technology. Eventually, he hopes to become a successful business owner and one of the pioneers for developing a better future using sustainable energy in parts of remote West Africa.

Carleton alum David Wallace Jackson '87 P19 P24

David Wallace-Jackson ’87

“The goal is not to just make a living, but to make a life that you are proud of.” —Paul D. Wellstone

David grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where his parents settled in 1967. They were both a long way from home. David’s mother was born and raised in Ponce, Puerto Rico; his father was born in Spanish Harlem and raised in the Bronx. Ypsilanti was a very different world than they knew and an unusual spot for two Puerto Ricans to settle, but they never left. David left home in 1983 to attend Carleton—a place that was new to him, and he has essentially been in Minnesota ever since. David writes “I could not have imagined then how this small college surrounded by cornfields would expand my world. I met amazing professors who became beloved members of my Minnesota family. I forged deep friendships with classmates. Most important, I have been able to hold hands every day for more than 30 years with my wife Emily because I met her there. Put simply, I owe a lot to Carleton. And I am happy to once again volunteer my time to the college and the MCAN board where I have previously served.”

Faith Agboola ’24

Faith Agboola ’24

Bladimir Contreras ’26

Bladimir Contreras ’26

Hello there! My name is Bladimir Contreras (He/Him/El), and I’m a Posse scholar from Houston. I’m currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in American Studies and Educational Studies. As I progress through my academic journey, my interests have expanded to include legal and ethnic studies, American government and politics, advocating for social justice and equity, and empowering First-Generation Low-Income (FGLI) Students of Color.

I’m actively involved in TRIO, Office of Intercultural Life, Latin American Student Organization, and Men of Color, and serve as a residential assistant for Residential Life. This year, I’m honored to represent the Class of 2026 as a student representative for MCAN. I’m excited to be a voice for my communities, including first-generation, low-income, and LGBTQ+ students of color.

Amanda Khouw '24

Amanda Khouw ’24

Hello! My name is Amanda (she/her/hers) and I am a member of the Class of 2024. I am majoring in chemistry and minoring in biochemistry with the intention of joining the healthcare field or any R&D opportunity in the future! I am the President of COSEA (Coalition of Southeast Asians), an OIL Peer Leader, an organic chemistry grader, and a student representative for the advisory committee of student life. I have also worked in Residential Life as a Resident Assistant for two years and served in 6th/7th Watson and 1st Goodhue! Some of my hobbies include crafting, learning new coffee making skills, and baking desserts! I am excited to be a part of MCAN and hope that my skills and knowledge can help underrepresented students of color through their journey in Carleton!

Dani Reynoso ’25

Dani Reynoso ’25

Hello, my name is Dani Reynoso and I am a part of the class of 2025. My major is in American Studies and my interests are in Law and Education, specifically college access. My intended career paths are somewhere along these lines, but I’m not entirely sure yet. During my time here at Carleton, I have served as a board member of two different student organizations including 1Gen and Women of Color+. I also work as an Educational Equity fellow at the CCCE. A recently developed hobby of mine is crocheting. I just taught myself how to over winter break, and hopefully, I’ll find time to crochet during the term. Finally, I am new to the MCAN board and have served as one of the Junior Student Representatives since the beginning of the 2023-24 academic year.