Project Horseshoe Farm’s 2026-27 class of Greensboro Community Health Fellows has arrived. The 14 recent college graduates come from 12 states, from Hawaii to Connecticut, with one from just up the road in Tuscaloosa, and they will spend the year in Greensboro working with the nonprofit’s Health Partners, its after-school and summer youth programs and its community partners. The introductions below were provided by the program.
Emily Adler,
University of Rochester
Hometown: Westchester, New York.
Major: anthropology.
Future plans: master’s degree in public health.
Saying “see you later” to her labradoodle, Luke, Emily is a native of Westchester, New York, who is trading in her winter coat for a taste of the South.
A true Renaissance woman, Emily wore many hats at the University of Rochester, where she studied anthropology and its applications to public health. From serving as her sorority’s philanthropy chair to competing on the club rugby team, and even acting in plays, Emily embraces new experiences with flair.
Around Greensboro, you might find Emily tending the community garden on a Saturday morning or whipping up a scrumptious homemade dish in the hotel (she is always open to taste testers). When she is not frequenting the farmers market or experimenting in the kitchen, Emily enjoys listening to music, spending time outside or rewatching episodes of her favorite television show, “This Is Us.”
In the year ahead, Emily is thrilled to learn more about the Greensboro community and explore its beautiful natural environment.
Andrew Bae,
Duke University
Hometown: Atlanta.
Major: psychology.
Future plans: medical school.
Andrew grew up in the bustling metropolis of Atlanta before heading north to Duke University, where he majored in psychology and minored in chemistry and philosophy, an unusual combination that hints at a mind drawn equally to people, mechanisms and ideas.
No stranger to newsprint, he served as editor at large of The Chronicle, Duke’s student newspaper. A pianist since age 5, Andrew eventually traded solo keys for something louder and more communal, channeling his musical energy into Duke’s marching and pep band.
At home, he is the older of two, with a sister three years his junior. Andrew is excited to soak up the culture of the Deep South, and he is especially eager to dig into Greensboro’s food scene, catfish included; he has heard this is the place to get it.
You’re likely to find him posted up at the Main Street library, book in hand. Looking ahead, Andrew hopes to attend medical school after his fellowship year, with plans of specializing in psychiatry.
Amber Borofsky,
Oberlin College
Hometown: Easton, Connecticut.
Major: neuroscience and biology.
Future plans: medical school.
If you hear the wind before you see her, don’t worry, it’s just former cross-country captain Amber Borofsky setting a new record down Main Street.
Amber’s biggest cross-country journey wasn’t on the trails; it was moving from Easton, Connecticut, to Greensboro, with a four-year pit stop at Oberlin College in Ohio. While at Oberlin, she kept herself busy studying neuroscience and biology, with a minor in Hispanic studies. ¡Olé!
Fluent in two languages, Amber hopes to use those skills to help bridge language barriers in health care. Next fall, she’ll lace up for her next big adventure: medical school.
When she’s not sprinting toward her goals, you can usually find Amber with her hands in the community garden or whipping up something delicious in the hotel kitchen. She was also the proud summer youth program counselor of the first-grade bumblebees, helping educate and bring smiles to Greensboro’s next generation with the same energy she brings to everything she does.
Laasya Challa,
Vanderbilt University
Hometown: Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Major: molecular and cellular biology, and medicine, health and society.
Future plans: medical school.
Please welcome Laasya.
Hailing from Chattanooga, Tennessee, she attended Vanderbilt University, where she received a degree in biology and in medicine, health and society, with a minor in English. She is deeply passionate about the human side of health care, with a particular interest in narrative medicine and health systems reform.
When she isn’t focusing on community health, one might find her upcycling clothes, scouting local spots for unique antiques or cuddling with her cat, Surya.
A massive music lover, she collects both records and CDs, a passion she shared with listeners back in college, where she hosted her very own radio show. If you want to spark a great conversation, ask her about her favorite rock and folk tracks from the ’60s to the ’90s.
Laasya is excited to dive into the landscapes of West Alabama. While she is looking forward to hitting the trails, she is also on the lookout for the area’s hidden waterfalls. If you see her out and about, make sure to ask what is currently at the top of her sightseeing bucket list.
Following her time in the fellowship, she plans to pursue medical school to continue her journey in health care as a primary care provider.
Katelyn Corpuz,
Skidmore College
Hometown: Oahu, Hawaii.
Major: biochemistry.
Future plans: medical school.
Katelyn Corpuz was born and raised on the island of Oahu by her parents, Rei and Ellen, alongside her sister, Katreina, and her two cats, Alejandro and McNugget. While she will miss them all over this next year, she is excited to get to know the people of Greensboro.
She recently graduated from Skidmore College in upstate New York, where she majored in biochemistry and played college tennis. While in college, Katelyn spent her free time volunteering as a peer health educator and leading a book club with her friends.
When she isn’t Horseshoeing, Katelyn loves to read anything medicine-related, keep her space simple and uncluttered (she’s a self-proclaimed minimalist) and maintain her masterful tennis skills by playing with other fellows. She’s also game to try any new sports, having recently become interested in ultimate frisbee, volleyball and pickleball.
After having lived in Hawaii, New York, Copenhagen and now Greensboro, Katelyn wants to live in even more diverse places before eventually settling down in Hawaii to practice either street medicine or rural medicine.
Katelyn is most excited to meet her new Health Partners and develop meaningful relationships with them throughout the year.
Joline Fong,
Amherst College
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York.
Major: anthropology.
Future plans: medical school.
All the way from the bustling borough of Brooklyn, New York, Joline is diving headfirst into small-town life in Greensboro after graduating from Amherst College with a degree in anthropology.
She grew up in a close-knit family of German and Chinese heritage alongside her two sisters and one brother. Joline is always on the move. A former collegiate swimmer, she loves running, playing the piano and chasing new adventures.
Raised on foods from both sides of her family, she’s excited to experience Southern cooking and is always eager to learn new recipes from locals.
This year, Joline hopes to channel her adventurous spirit by riding a horse and going noodling for catfish. If you spot Joline around town, don’t hesitate to say hello. You’ll be met with her infectious enthusiasm, a great conversation and maybe even a few questions about Southern slang.
Jocelyn Host,
Murray State University
Hometown: Chicago.
Major: biology.
Future plans: medical school.
Coming all the way from the suburbs of Chicago, Jocelyn is excited to explore Greensboro and Alabama over the next year.
A Division I three-sport athlete at Murray State, Jocelyn graduated with a degree in biology, with minors in chemistry and public and community health.
A stranger to down time, Jocelyn is currently getting back into running and enjoying a coffee every once in a while. She found her passion for Project Horseshoe Farm’s mission through Murray State’s Rural Health Club and is excited to immerse herself in the Greensboro community.
She is especially looking forward to exploring the shops along Main Street. You can find her corralling kids during the After-School Youth Program, which fits perfectly with her dream of being a pediatrician.
She is super excited to make meaningful connections with all members of the community, so don’t hesitate to stop her on the street and say hi.
Meghna Kommu,
Johns Hopkins University
Hometown: St. Louis.
Major: neuroscience.
Future plans: medical school.
Meghna grew up in St. Louis and spent her college years at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where she somehow managed to study neuroscience and applied math and statistics while also choreographing for the dance team.
She’s extremely laid-back about most things in life, with exactly one hill she’ll die on: cottage cheese belongs in your pasta and mixed into your peaches for dessert, and she will not be taking questions at this time.
Raised by parents who immigrated from India, she has a brother just a year younger than she is. She fills her free time thrifting, making jewelry and rewatching “SpongeBob” episodes for the 100th time.
She’s aiming for a career in addiction medicine and is ready to embrace whatever comes her way in Greensboro.
Julie Martinez,
University of Washington
Hometown: Seattle.
Major: public and global health.
Future plans: physician assistant school.
Julie hails all the way from a small town in Washington and just graduated from college with a degree in public and global health.
She comes from a big family with three sisters and three dogs, and she grew up embracing her Mexican heritage through food and traditions. She loves watching movies, going on long walks and hunting for thrift-store gems.
As a die-hard thrifter, she can’t wait to try out the Bargain Box in Demopolis. This year, she’s hoping to fully immerse herself in the Greensboro community and culture, and, among other things, she’s especially excited to ride a horse and try her first bite of Greensboro catfish.
If you see her strolling down Main Street, stop her and say hello. You’re guaranteed to be greeted with a huge, warm smile in return.
Nicole Moll,
Florida State University
Hometown: Miami.
Major: psychology and public health.
Future plans: medical school.
Just like her red Mini Cooper, Nicole Moll brings a tiny but mighty presence to Greensboro.
Coming from Miami, she majored in psychology and public health and minored in chemistry and biology at Florida State University. Nicole grew up playing tennis and loves lounging in the sun, relaxing or exploring the outdoors.
In Greensboro, she is learning how to cook (please be patient), and you can find her at a coffee shop, pairing an iced latte with a good book.
Next year, Nicole hopes to work in public health as she applies to medical school and pursues a master’s degree in public health. She’d like to become a pediatrician and improve health care through public policy.
Nicole loves to connect with others and bring a smile to their faces, so she’s looking forward to getting to know the community here in Greensboro better.
Manasa Raghavan,
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Hometown: San Francisco.
Major: health policy and management.
Future plans: medical school.
Manasa, a San Francisco Bay Area native, comes to Greensboro as a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She earned her degree in health policy and management, inspiring her passion for health systems and building relationships through public trust.
As a Community Health Fellow paired with Hale County Hospital for her Wednesday engagement site, she is excited to work with C.L.I.M.B. students and continue expanding Hale County Hospital’s presence in the community.
Manasa’s future aspirations are to attend medical school and pursue emergency medicine. A passionate college sports fan, she can be found rooting for the Tar Heels all year round.
You may also find that her competitive spirit shines through at trivia. She is excited to connect with the community, whether over a cup of coffee, a home-cooked Southern meal or just a quick chat on the street.
Elena Fuentes Solano,
Rochester Institute of Technology
Hometown: Rochester, New York.
Major: biomedical sciences.
Future plans: medical school.
Born in Cartagena, Spain, Elena made the big move across the Atlantic to Rochester, New York, when she was 10 years old. She recently graduated from Rochester Institute of Technology with a degree in biomedical sciences and hopes one day to work with kids as a pediatrician.
After years of babysitting, being around children has always come naturally to her, making pediatrics feel like an especially fitting path.
In her free time you can probably find Elena hiking, traveling, curling up with a good book or making memories with her family and friends. She is also the proud caretaker of Big Berta, her 2-year-old sourdough starter, which has been responsible for countless loaves of homemade bread.
And while Elena loves a good loaf of sourdough, she has an even bigger sweet tooth, especially when chocolate is involved.
Always ready to try something new, Elena is excited to call a small town home.
Cooper Word,
Mississippi State University
Hometown: Jackson, Mississippi.
Major: microbiology, interdisciplinary studies.
Future plans: medical school.
Born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi, Cooper Word recently graduated from Mississippi State University and is excited to begin his role as a Greensboro Community Health Fellow.
During college, Cooper dedicated himself to serving others through leadership and health care. As a campuswide senator, he led an initiative to expand peer counseling services, worked as an EMT and served as a peer counselor for first-year students.
He is applying to medical school and hopes to pursue a career in either primary care or emergency medicine, with the goal of serving communities in the South as a physician.
Outside of his academic and professional interests, Cooper enjoys spending time outdoors, camping, canoeing or kayaking. He is also an avid reader with a strong interest in biographies and classic Russian literature, especially the works of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy.
One fun fact about him is that he has hitchhiked multiple times.
This year, Cooper is most excited to learn more about the history and culture of the Black Belt by meeting new people and developing meaningful relationships.
Maya Young,
University of Alabama
Hometown: Tuscaloosa.
Major: African American studies.
Future plans: medical school.
Only a short drive from home, Maya comes from Tuscaloosa, where she was born, raised and recently graduated from the University of Alabama. Roll Tide.
Maya’s Southern charm comes through with her bright smile and easygoing personality. While at Alabama, Maya majored in African American studies. She now plans on pursuing a career in family medicine and wants to practice in rural communities.
In her downtime Maya enjoys going on walks, listening to music and reading. If she had to pick her favorite book, it would be “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott.
Over the next year Maya is eager to learn how to cook Southern food, so if you have a family recipe you’re willing to share with her, be sure to give her a call.
