Trinity Fellow to Join MYSO Staff

Simba Gandari, Trinity Fellow Class of 2018

The Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra has been approved to work with a Marquette Trinity Fellow for two years. The Trinity Fellowship from Marquette University is a graduate fellowship for those dedicated to social and economic justice. Fellows must have prior volunteer service in AmeriCorps or PeaceCorps.

Fellows then complete a Master's degree in their graduate program of choice, while also working at a local community organization. Each year the Marquette Trinity Fellows Program supports 10 fellows with a full tuition scholarship, living stipend, and opportunity for professional development at a Milwaukee nonprofit.

MYSO applied and was matched with a Trinity Fellow, who will join the staff in September of 2016. Since I'm currently working at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center as a Trinity Fellow and will be leaving soon, I wanted to get to know the next Trinity Fellow to work in this building.

Simba Gandari will join the MYSO staff in the fall, and will assist with finance and business administration while earning his MBA at Marquette.

What's your background? Where are you from? 

I was born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe. Just after high school I got bitten by the travel bug and this led me to India. After two years I came to the U.S and this has been my home the last 9 years. My work background is in sports based youth development. Using soccer as a tool to educate inner city youth on traits like teamwork, leadership and commitment has been my biggest goal. For my undergraduate studies I went to Cardinal Stritch University where I got my Bachelor’s degree in Sport Management.

What will you study at Marquette? What do you hope to learn?

I will be pursuing a Masters in Business Administration from Marquette. My hope is to learn how to help businesses solve problems using innovative ideas.  I want to use what I learn in the classroom to help others better their businesses.

Since MYSO is an arts education program, do you have any background in the arts? 

I actually know very little about arts education but this is what drew me to MYSO, it’s an opportunity to learn more. I thrive on new opportunities and challenges, and MYSO will produce both. My goal is to learn from each experience.

What aspect of the Fellowship are you most excited about?

 I’m excited to meet and build relationships with the other Trinity Fellows.

Is there anything in particular you're excited about with your placement at MYSO? What are you hoping to learn during your work at MYSO?

My hope is to learn what it’s like to run a non-profit from the business side. The challenges that the finance, administrative and marketing departments all face on a daily basis. My long-term goal is to work in non-profit consulting and working at MYSO will provide a solid platform. I’ve also never been to a musical concert, I hope I get to attend one or two.

Outside of work and school, what are your hobbies/interests?
​
Participating in sports has allowed me to build lifelong friendships. I am fascinated by techniques used in different sports and I will study it until I can master it. This summer my goal is to learn how to play golf!

---