The UWM Systems Change & Peacebuilding Graduate Assistants work side-by-side with community partners while building critical leadership skills in community-building, systems-thinking, facilitation, strategic planning, and evaluation. Scholars provide support for ongoing partner initiatives while also bringing their systems and peacebuilding perspectives, and practicing the ISCP core values of relationships, equity, emergence, and trust.
UWM Systems Change & Peacebuilding Changemaker Scholars are outstanding individuals who have served or are currently serving as volunteers or staff members with local organizations and are likely to continue to make significant contributions to the Milwaukee region. The Institute supports these students who are just beginning their higher education journey or those re-entering higher education after a leave of absence.
Contact Us
- William Collins Kohler Chair in Systems Change and Peacebuilding
- Associate Professor
- sandym@uwm.edu
- 414-229-1173
- Enderis Hall 617
Scholars
Khatol Nazari
Khatol Nazari (She/Her) is a graduate student at the UWM,studying for a Master of Healthcare Administration. She is originally from Afghanistan and was forced to leave her country in 2021 when the Taliban regime took control. Arriving in the United States suddenly and without a plan was very difficult, but it made her stronger and more determined. Her journey inspired her to dedicate her education and work to helping vulnerable communities and creating positive social change.
Before resettling in the United States, Khatol worked for more than five years with the Afghanistan government and nonprofit organizations. She served as a Gender Officer for the Ministry of Defense, UNMAS, and Kabul Municipality, focusing on increasing women’s participation in government and supporting gender equality programs. These experiences helped her build leadership, communication, and teamwork skills, while teaching her the importance of creating equal opportunities for everyone.
Since arriving in Milwaukee in September 2022, Khatol has continued her work with refugee communities. She serves as a Dari and Pashto interpreter for the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition (MMWC) in the Afghan Buddy Program, helping Afghan families and children adjust to life in a new country. She also works as Cultural Programs Coordinator at Hanan Relief Group, a refugee resettlement agency. In this role, she supports families through education, parenting programs, cultural understanding, women’s empowerment, and mental health awareness. She also organized a Teen Program for Afghan and Rohingya children, providing both educational and recreational activities.
Khatol was nominated to the Institute for Systems Change and Peacebuilding (ISCP) Scholarship by the Refugee and Immigration Services of Catholic Charities of Milwaukee. Fluent in Dari, Pashto, and good in English, Khatol enjoys spending her free time with her family. She hopes to continue learning about social systems, policy, and community engagement to promote peace, equity, and inclusion for immigrant and refugee communities. Her goal is to work in healthcare organizations that improve access and quality of care while creating welcoming, fair, and understandable programs for all.
Lisa Iab Yaj
Lisa was born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They began youth work early in their own youth, teaching poetry and other forms of art. Lisa came back to Milwaukee as a graduate student in the school counseling program at UW-Milwaukee. Currently, Lisa also is an assistantship role called Food Systems Facilitator, under the Milwaukee Food Council, where they host workshops and support the continuing efforts in mapping Milwaukee’s food systems. n their young adulthood, they were a part of HMoob American Studies Committee at UWMadison. Here, they forged space with other HMoob students to bring HMoob knowledge at the forefront of their own educations.
On the College Paj Ntaub team, a participatory action research team, they contributed to the Critical HMoob Studies movement, collectively building language, art, and community around HMoob narratives and advocacy. They graduated with a Bachelors in Education Studies, as well as with a certificate in Asian American Studies with an Emphasis on HMoob American Studies. Lisa is a part of the first cohort of a group called Hmong Cultural Bearers Fellows, which brings Hmong queer and women artists from all walks of life together to co-experience different cultural arts. In their free time, they love to garden with their mom, siblings, and nephew. They have recently been growing with “we have always been related” collective. ISCP has been an opportunity to understand their local systems in other angles, learning about the leverage points that have already been connected within our food system, as well as future opportunities to connect cross sectors. Here is a reflection from them:
“Youth counseling, attending to our food systems, and peacebuilding all similarly ask us to unlearn the destructiveness of oppressive systems that have shaped the punitive bones within ourselves. They guide us to confront the pain and move with a commitment to hope. For me, this is something I am constantly struggling with even to this day, but I have learned that these are the spaces I want to grow in.”
Aziz Abdullah
Born and raised in Milwaukee, I am a community organizer, creative strategist, and public-health practitioner passionate about building healing ecosystems where people can thrive. My journey weaves together public health, media, and social entrepreneurship, using storytelling, design, and data to strengthen neighborhood resilience and equity. Over the past several years, I have led community initiatives that connect health, digital equity, and social well-being, from the Healthy Neighbor Network and TechquityWI to PeaceMKE and the Better Ways To Cope initiative. My work focuses on bridging systems with community wisdom, ensuring that residents are not just participants but co-architects of solutions addressing violence prevention, food sovereignty, and family stability. Being part of ISCP aligns deeply with my vision of peace as both an internal and structural practice. ISCP’s emphasis on dialogue, reflection, and collaborative learning strengthens my ability to merge community practice with evidence-based research and policy, ultimately creating pathways toward sustained healing and justice in Milwaukee.
Looking ahead, I hope to help design models that make community wellness a measurable, lived reality, where peace is not just the absence of harm but the presence of opportunity. For myself and others, I want to cultivate environments where culture, compassion, and creativity coexist. In my free time, I enjoy gardening, raising chickens, mentoring youth, and creating visual campaigns that inspire hope. I’m especially interested in learning more about the intersections between trauma, epigenetics, and community peacebuilding, and how healing practices can transform health outcomes across generations.
Melissa Heath
My name is Melissa Heath, my pronouns are she/her. I am working towards my master’s in social work. I am from Milwaukee. In my free time I enjoy creating memories with my children. I’m a proud mother of three, and much of my journey has been shaped by overcoming personal struggles. Through those challenges, I found my true passion which is helping others. I began my career in peer support, walking alongside individuals navigating mental health and substance use challenges. Over time, I moved into leadership and now supervise three programs that serve people living with mental health and substance use disorders. My work centers on advocacy, empowerment, and creating environments where people feel seen, supported, and capable of change. Being connected with the ISCP allows me to grow as both a professional and a person by learning how to promote healing and peace within communities impacted by trauma and systemic challenges. It also gives me the opportunity to connect with others who are passionate about social change and compassionate care. I hope to learn more about trauma-informed approaches to community healing, as well as how to bridge the gap between mental health recovery and social justice work to create lasting systems of peace and support.
Riane Ntabala
Riane Ntabala (she/her) is a Master of Social Work student at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, with a focus on clinical social work and supporting diverse communities. Born in Rwanda and of Congolese nationality, Riane has lived in Milwaukee since 2012, bringing a personal understanding of immigrant experiences and the challenges faced by underserved populations. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Welfare and Justice and Sociology from Marquette University, where she engaged in service-learning, volunteer work, and community programs supporting food security and social justice initiatives.
Currently, Riane works as an Administrative Assistant at the International Institute of Wisconsin, helping clients navigate resources, providing interpretation in Swahili, and supporting mental health and trauma-informed care. She has also worked as a Resident Assistant and Client Support Specialist, strengthening her skills in advocacy, crisis response, and culturally competent support.
Through ISCP, Riane hopes to deepen her understanding of peacebuilding, collaboration, and community resilience. In the future, she aspires to empower diverse populations, promote equitable access to services, and contribute to building stronger, inclusive communities. Outside of school and work, Riane enjoys volunteering, connecting with her community, and exploring ways to create meaningful social impact.
Andron Lane
Andron Lane is a passionate community advocate and student dedicated to healing and empowering Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities. He is currently majoring in Community Engagement and Education at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, after previously studying Social Science with a minor in Cultural Diversity at Marquette University. A Certified Peer Support Specialist (WRC), Restorative Justice Circle Facilitator (Project Return), and Adult Mental Health First Aid professional, Andron brings both lived experience and professional expertise to his work in traumainformed care, reentry support, and mental health advocacy. In 2020, he founded AQLS, LLC (Another Quality Life Style), a consultancy focused on restorative practices, peer support, and community wellness. Andron also serves as a Community Health Worker, BOLD (Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity) Training participant, M4BL Policy Fellow, and proud NAACP member.
Recognized for his leadership and commitment, Andron has received the Community Engagement Award from North Avenue 3B and was nominated for the Come Back Father of the Year Award (Fathers Making Progress). As a devoted father and scholar, Andron’s mission is rooted in advocacy, education, and the belief that healing and transformation begin within the community.
Nora Graham
Nora Graham (they/them pronouns) is originally from Omaha, Nebraska. They graduated from Marquette University with a degree in Interdisciplinary Peace Studies. Nora also completed a year of service with Public Allies Wisconsin where they served at Carmen Southeast High School. Since graduating from the program, Nora has continued to work at Carmen Southeast planning community service opportunities for students.
Nora is currently in the second year of the Master of Sustainable Peacebuilding program, in addition to being a graduate assistant for the Institute of Systems Change and Peacebuilding.
Through the institute, they are currently working at the City of Milwaukee’s Department of City Development in the Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation. In this role they focus on Healing Spaces and Targeted Investment Neighborhoods to building community investment in neighborhoods across Milwaukee.
After graduation, Nora wants to pursue a career in community organizing to help build power in communities. In their free time, Nora enjoys running, reading, and watching reality tv shows.
Asma Iqbalzada
My name is Asma Iqbalzada. I am originally from Afghanistan. One thing I really like about my culture is the traditional clothing and the way people dress for special events. I helped the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition (MMWC) as a translator. After volunteering, they hired me part-time to assist with translation. It was a great experience and helped me improve my communication and service skills. Right now I work at Landmark Credit Union, where I assist members and gain experience in the financial field. Even though I haven’t engaged a lot in person yet, being part of this class keeps me connected to people focused on leadership, community work, and positive change. It helps me stay aware and inspired.
I hope to stay healthy, build a strong career in the financial world, and continue with my favorite sports – running and swimming. For others, I hope people have more access to opportunities, stability, and support.
My main hobbies are running and swimming. I also enjoy watching shows and spending time with family, trying new recipes. In the future, I hope to stay healthy, build my career in the financial world, and continue with my favorite sports like running and swimming. I also want to learn more about how financial stability and access to economic opportunity can reduce stress and conflict, and how these things play a role in peacebuilding.
Melanie Wade
My major is English. I specialize in Creative Writing. I am currently creating a course based on African American linguistics and its use within Creative Writing. I grew up in the 53206 zip code my entire life. I am a part of 5 Points Neighborhood Association in which I was nominated for the scholarship award. My community is a very supportive family oriented community. I have done neighborhood clean ups by engaging the children from that area. At the end of the clean ups, I would reward them with a meal from one of the businesses in the neighborhood. While developing my course, I would teach free classes to children once a week and assist them with their school work if needed.
The ISCP fellowship has been one of the greatest things to happen for me in recent times. It has given me hope and a secure future to finally complete my degree so that I can turn my dreams into reality. Especially since I am a middle age single woman with 4 children that I solely take care of with the ages of 18, 15, 7, and 1. I am extremely grateful to be a part of this program and enjoy learning more about peacebuilding skills. I hope to put peacebuilding into practice in my community.
Jessica Thompson
As a past graduate student in the Masters of Sustainable Peacebuilding program, ISCP afforded me the ability to pay for my schooling while having the invaluable experience of working for a community based organization utilizing the peacebuilding skills I was actively learning. Since October 2025, I’ve been able to give back to the program while serving in a coordinator position for the ISCP. In this position, I will be supporting students peacebuilding skill learning, as well as their educational journeys supported by ISCP. I’m thankful for this opportunity to give back and support students in the same way I was by the ISCP.
