Sonja Egeland Kelly

Below you will find an abridged version of my résumé and CV. For further information or for more specific inquiries, please contact sonja@sonjakelly.com.

Education

• M.A., Ph.D., American University School of International Service, Washington, DC
  • In Progress
  • Emphasis: Economic Empowerment and Microfinance
• B.A., Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California, Summa Cum Laude
  • Majors: Political Science (Major Honors), English; Minor: Psychology

Work Experience

• Opportunity International, Oak Brook, IL
  • Proposal Writer; International Education Coordinator; Resource Development Services Intern
• Dane Sanders Photography, Santa Barbara, CA
  • Web Advertising and Placement Intern
• Westmont College, Santa Barbara, CA
  • Head Resident Assistant; Resident Assistant
  • Editor, Staff Reporter, The Horizon
• I. Travel, Inc.
  • Tour Development Specialist
• Calvary Church, Navan, Ireland
  • Student Ministry Intern with TEAM
    
• Natal Witness, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa
  • Reporter and Photographer

Academic Experience

• Faculty Assistant
  American University
  
• Research and Teaching Assistant, Political Science Department
  Westmont College
• Teaching Assistant, Statistics Department
  Westmont College

Honoraries and Awards

• Memberships
  • Women Advancing Microfinance International
  • Chicago Council on Global Affairs
  • Previously Vice President of Sigma Tao Delta (English)
  • Member of Phi Kappa Phi (academic honors society)
  • Omicron Delta Kappa (leadership)
  • Psy Chi (psychology)
  • Pi Sigma Alpha (political science)
• Academic Awards
  • Phi Kappa Phi Top Student Award
  • Dean’s List (4 years)
  • President’s Scholarship (4 years)
  • Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship (4 years)
  • Faculty Fellowship Award (2 years)
  • Arthur W. Lynip Award for Excellence in English (3 years)

Papers, Publications, and Presentations

• “Women’s Economic Participation in Pakistan: Examining the political, entrepreneurial, skilled crafts, business, agricultural, and informal sectors.” Major honors project presented at Westmont College on Tuesday, April 29. Research conducted at the suggestion of USAID.
• “Microfinance 101: The Challenges and Impact of Microfinance.” Panel Discussion participant at an event co-sponsored by the Young Ambassadors for Opportunity and the Young Consultants of DC on Thursday, Nov 4 in Washington, DC.
• “Microfinance as a Prevention Tool to Stop Human Trafficking.” Presentation and Panel Discussion participant at Traffick Jam 09 on July 25, 2009 in Chicago.
• Researched for Friesendorf, C., & Penksa, S. E. (2008). Militarized Law Enforcement in Peace Operations: EUFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina. International Peacekeeping, 15(5), 677-694.
• Researched for Lawrence, D. (2010). California: The Politics of Diversity. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.
• Researched for Goheer, N., & Penksa, S. E. (2007). Gender Intelligent Economic Growth Work in Pakistan, United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
• See Publications page for additional blog work.