Meet our 2026 - 2027 Student Leadership Team!

University Y Assistants

Grace Kuebelbeck

Hello! My name is Grace Kuebelbeck and I am this semester's PenPal Program Manager as well as one of the UY Assistants. I am a senior studying psychology at the University of Minnesota with the hopes of attending graduate school and becoming a licenced counselor. When I'm not working or studying, I love to watch movies, cook and craft (sewing, embroidery etc). This semester I aim to grow in my leadership skills by acting with compassion, honesty and respect. 

Noley Guthrie

Hi! My name is Noley Guthrie, I am in my final semester here at the U pursuing a career in elementary education. I have worked at the UY since freshman year of college and it has been such a big part of my college experience. From an AWM mentor my freshman year to now a senior serving as an administrative intern, I have loved being involved in every aspect of what makes the UY so special!

Y College Cards4Kids & Aloha Pen Pals

Grace Kuebelbeck, Program Manager

Hello! My name is Grace Kuebelbeck and I am this semester's PenPal Program Manager as well as one of the UY Assistants. I am a senior studying psychology at the University of Minnesota with the hopes of attending graduate school and becoming a licenced counselor. When I'm not working or studying, I love to watch movies, cook and craft (sewing, embroidery etc). This semester I aim to grow in my leadership skills by acting with compassion, honesty and respect. 

Y Mentors: Step N’ Stones

Maiya Karls Klatt, Program Manager

Hello! My name is Maiya Karls Klatt, and I am currently a senior pursuing a career in secondary teaching, with a focus in Social Studies and Spanish. I am one of the Program Managers for Step N’ Stones, as well as a mentor in the classroom for SNS. In my previous experiences in schools as a mentor, I appreciated getting the opportunity to build trust with both students and teachers, and seeing how students and mentors could learn from one another in the process. I really enjoy the community that we build in each of our programs, and I am especially grateful for the support that I have found both in the UY and in the schools that we partner with!

Thelma Benitez Gutierrez, Program Manager - SHE / HER

Hello! My name is Thelma Benitez. I am a senior majoring in Speech-Language Pathology with a minor in Developmental Psychology. I currently serve as a Program Manager for Step N Stones and as a classroom mentor! One of my favorite parts about being involved with the UY is going back to the schools and having the kids remember me and run to say hi.

Y Adventures with Mentors

Hafsa Farah, Program Manager

Hello! My name is Hafsa. I am a junior studying psychology. I serve as the program manager for Adventure with Mentors. I have served as a mentor since my freshman year. My favorite thing about the UY is the community of students and how supportive everyone is.

Aisha Aden, Site Lead

Hi! My name is Aisha Aden. I’m a Family Social Science major in my junior year, entering my 4th semester here at the University YMCA! This semester will be my first as a Site Lead, and I’m both excited and grateful to experience it. I’m a person who is passionate about helping and advocating for others. During my time with the UY, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to serve and give back to the community as a mentor. I’ve learned and gained so much, while still being able to enjoy every moment of it! I look forward to creating more memories and growing this year as a Site Lead! 

Aurora "Rory" Antilla, Site Lead

Hi! I'm Rory, and I'm a junior majoring in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior. In my free time, I like to read, be outside, and play and listen to music. This is my 3rd year at the UY and 2nd year as a site lead! My favorite thing about the UY is working with my peers to build community, both at the UY and in the schools I mentor in.

Charli Benware, Site Lead

Hello! My name is Charli, and I am a second-year Neuroscience student at U of M-Twin Cities! After undergrad, I plan on going to physical therapy school. In my free time I love going to concerts, watching hockey, traveling, and hanging out with friends!

Cherubim Toby, Site Lead

My name is Cherubim Toby and I am a 3rd year Plant science student in the College of Food Agriculture and Natural Resources. Outside of my studies, I enjoy reading, journaling, hiking and working out! I have been working in childcare for five years with lots of experience in centers and home daycare. I am eager to continue my experience at the UYMCA team!

Emily Sanker, Site Lead

Hi! I'm a grad student in Educational Psychology, hoping to get my school counseling license in May. I facilitated an afterschool group with YWCA Minneapolis last school year and am excited to continue in the world of community education in Minneapolis at the UY. I really enjoy the opportunity to connect with students and provide them with a space to have fun and be themselves. 

Ellyse Harmon, Site Lead

Hi, my name is Ellyse, and I am a Junior majoring in Speech-Language Pathology with a minor in Health Psychology. This will be my second year serving at the UY. The UY has allowed me to learn more about myself and how I can make an impact in my community. I've enjoyed being able to see kids grow and learn more about themselves, and I am so honored to be able to help them. The memories I've made so far here at the UY, with the kids and with my peers, will be everlasting!

Marissa Warns, Site Lead

Hello everyone! My name is Marissa Warns, and I am a sophomore kinesiology major with a minor in business in healthcare. I have been with the UY since the first semester of freshman year, when I started volunteering and then became a mentor last semester. My experience at the UY has been positive and has helped me strengthen my problem-solving and leadership skills inside and outside of college. I am so excited to work with my group of mentors and bring smiles to students' faces once again!

Parker Bartholomaus, Site Lead

Hello! My name is Parker Bartholomaus and I am a junior Kinesiology major and Health Psychology minor here at the U of M. This will be my 3rd year at the UY and my first as a site lead! I get to hang out and learn with some amazing kiddos in after school programs as well as my peers. I enjoy being around kids, participating and watching sports (I am a hockey coach), and hanging out with my cat.

Riddhi Bhakta, Site Lead

My name is Riddhi Bhakta, I am currently a Senior at the University of Minnesota–Twin Cities, majoring in Sociology of Law, Criminology and Justice with a minor in Leadership. I am someone who loves to read books, spend time making memories with my friends and family, listen to music, and take walks in nature. I am always finding new ways to include my hobbies in my life, using them to connect with people in a variety of ways. This is my sixth semester serving as an after-school program mentor with UY, and my fifth semester as a site lead. My time with the UY has been both an invaluable learning experience and a source of so much laughter and joy each week. I look forward to the new experiences that await me this semester.

University Y Interns

Cristal Kabeya - Communications, Social Media & Marketing

Hello My name is Cristal pronounced like (Chris-tall) I’m a graphic design major at UMN pursuing a bachelor’s degree. I'm an intern in charge of our social media and marketing. I’ve been with the YMCA for a few years and I'm excited to use my knowledge of design to help bring out the vision of the UY.