Presidential Fellows Program

In today’s polarized political climate, we desperately need a new generation of high-capacity, spiritually-grounded leaders who bring a thoughtful Christian witness to society, leading with integrity of heart and skillful hands. If Christians are to be a part of the conversations that will shape the future of our country and the world, emerging leaders-in-training need to be in the rooms where those conversations happen. The Presidential Fellows program provides this kind of character development through intense mentoring of students in a context of faith formation and leadership development.

The Fellowship

Modeled on the highly competitive, highly effective White House Fellowship, the Presidential Fellows Program affords Taylor students the chance to work directly with a senior leader on campus, who mentors the student through a yearlong fellowship. The Program aims to catalyze the leadership potential of a select group of students, equipping them to assume positions of major responsibility within ten to fifteen years of graduation. Through work assignments and special mentoring opportunities, Fellows learn firsthand the process of leading a major institution with unique exposure to senior leaders, substantive work assignments, and horizon-broadening educational opportunities.

Presidential Fellows work approximately ten hours per week in the office of their assigned leader, advancing the university’s mission by assisting with an array of responsibilities. In addition to this substantive work placement, Presidential Fellows receive educational development in growing as leaders through a series of seminars and workshops led by President Lindsay.

Current Presidential Fellows

Isabelle Armour ’23

Hometown: Mason, OH
Major: Politics and Law
Email: isabelle_armour@taylor.edu
Office of the Vice President for University Advancement
Isabelle Armour, though she considers herself an Ohio native, was originally adopted from Almaty, Kazakhstan. She is the oldest of four adopted children, and her family’s adoption story has been significant in helping her to discover her calling. After graduating from Taylor this spring, she plans to attend law school and become a family lawyer. Her hope is to specialize in adoption law or to pursue a recently discovered interest in survivor law, to which she was introduced during her internship with QuadW in Tampa. At Taylor, she has served as a Personnel Assistant for Third West Olson and as a Cabinet Member for the Asian Society for Intercultural Awareness Organization. She, along with several other adoptees, founded Taylor University’s first adoption support group for students on campus. Isabelle is passionate about learning and is continuously seeking new opportunities outside of her comfort zone that aid in her development as a disciple of Christ. In her free time, Isabelle loves to read, hike, and hunt for the perfect coffee shop.

Evan Lawrence Kitt ’23

Hometown: Bluffton, IN
Major: Finance
Email evan_kitt@taylor.edu
Office of the President
Evan Kitt, son of Tyler and Brittany Kitt, is a Hoosier native, and has three siblings, including a younger sister, Elayna Kitt, Taylor Class of 2025. Evan has been fortunate to continue education and his football career here at Taylor University with his final season coming up in the fall of ’22, and graduation in the spring of ’23. He is ecstatic to include the Presidential Fellows program in his campus involvement for his final year. Outside of Taylor Evan is passionate about building relationships and connecting with all people. He has been blessed to do this through another passion of his which is being on the water. Evan is a part of the ProWake Watersports sales team located in North Webster Indiana and has been for the past 4 years. After Taylor, Evan is hopeful to further his career in the boating industry and add multi-family real estate investing to his resume as another way to connect and disciple to all types of people.   

Addison Perry ’23

Hometown: Sylvania, OH
Major: Accounting
Email: addie_perry1@taylor.edu
Office of Vice President for Finance
Addison comes from a family of six and is the oldest of four siblings. Being an oldest has developed in her a desire to achieve and pave the way for others and she hopes to do this as a member of the inaugural fellows program. Through her family upbringing and involvement in lacrosse at both the high school and college level, Addison has developed tenacity and perseverance, and is committed to finishing what she has started. At Taylor, Addison was the founder of Investing Excellence, a student finance club, has served on the Taylor Student Organization Leadership Programming Cabinet, and served in residence life as a Personnel Assistant. For the pasts two years, she has been the Executive Assistant of the CFA Society of Indianapolis which has allowed her to be featured on the podcast, Hoosier Money. Through these experiences, Addison has developed a sense of adaptability and coachability which has been exemplified in her multiple recognitions from coaches and teachers over the years.

Sierra Twigg ’23

Hometown: New Wilmington, PA
Majors: Orphans and Vulnerable Children & Global Studies
Email: sierra_twigg@taylor.edu
Office of Intercultural Leadership and Church Relations
Sierra is from the small town of New Wilmington, PA. At the age of 16 she felt the Lord tug on her heart for marginalized communities and victims of human trafficking. In 2021, she studied abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand to complete classes related to the wellbeing of children and to pursue an internship with an anti-trafficking organization. Upon graduating from Taylor, she plans to work with an anti-trafficking organization or with refugee populations. Sierra has served as a Personnel Assistant for Third East Olson and is a member of the Latino Student Union and the Ateam, a group working to promote diversity across Taylor’s campus. Sierra is passionate about learning about the world, cultures, and people, and she continuously seeks out opportunities to challenge herself in this way.

Tessa D’Souza

Hometown: Nicholasville, KY
Major: Computer Science
Email: tessa_dsouza@taylor.edu
Office of the Chief Information Officer
Tessa grew up in Kentucky after her family moved to the United States from Mozambique and the UK. She is engaged with multicultural students and faculty across campus and has served as the Office of Intercultural Programming’s Academic Liaison, where she curated opportunities for faculty to engage with the challenges facing minority and cross-cultural students at Taylor. Through Taylor’s Computer Science: Cybersecurity program and her summer internships, she has had opportunities to research malware, build satellites, create software that combats food waste, and automate cybersecurity for defense contractors. Tessa has a passion to create and use technology for the glory of God and the peace of His people, particularly through the lenses of counter-terrorism and anti-trafficking work.

Gage Holder ’23

Hometown: Kokomo, IN
Majors: Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) & History
Email: gage_holder@taylor.edu
Office of the Vice President for Student Development and Intercollegiate Athletics
Gage is a senior double major in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) and History. He is a defensive back on the football team, where he serves as a member of the Servant-Leadership Council and leads the study tables program. On campus, Gage is a member of the Executive Council for the campus’s AEI chapter, is the AEC student representative for the Enrollment and Athletics Committee, is on cabinet for Gospel Choir, and spent two years as the chair of the Academics and Athletics subcommittee for Student Senate. Mr. Holder has interned on Capitol Hill for Taylor graduate Jackie Walorski in addition to a summer spent in a project management internship with Howard County Government. Gage grew up in Kokomo, Indiana with his parents Marcy and Barkley, his siblings Spencer and Tate, and his dog Reagan. Gage spends his mornings drinking coffee, his days outdoors, and his evenings cheering on the Green Bay Packers.

Andrew Bruner ’24

Hometown: Upland, IN
Major: Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics with Information Systems and Analytics
Email: andrew_bruner1@taylor.edu
Office of the President
Andrew is a rising Junior at Taylor University, where he plans to graduate with a BS in Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics with Information Systems and Analytics. A native of Upland, Indiana, Andrew has spent his life involved in the Taylor campus and community. As a result, he is thrilled to join President Lindsay in advancing the university’s mission. Andrew has previously served at Taylor as a cabinet member for the Ockenga Honors Guild, a Student Senator, and a Personnel Assistant in Breuninger Hall. In addition to school, Andrew’s passions include problem-solving, networking, advocacy, and global development through public and private sectors. His interests outside of school include daydreaming, playing strategy games, traveling, listening to indie rock music, spending time with friends and family, and using the Oxford comma. After graduating from Taylor, Andrew plans to pursue a master’s program or fellowship oriented around leadership development, public policy, or business entrepreneurship.

Elizabeth Eckert

Hometown: Wheaton, IL
Major: Communication
Email: elizabeth_eckert@taylor.edu
Office of the Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing
Elizabeth is a midwestern native from the town of Wheaton, Illinois. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communication with a minor in psychology and hopes to enjoy a career that combines her passion for communication excellence, meaningful relationships, and her commitment to the word of God. Elizabeth has served as both Discipleship Assistant and Personnel Assistant for her home wing of Third West Olson over the past two years. Her experience in Residence Life has allowed her to learn from the wisdom of her residents and the Taylor University faculty and staff. During her Sophomore year, Elizabeth also worked as a member of the Admissions CREW. Through guiding tours and interacting with families, the job kindled her passion for the admissions process and the vital part it plays in the role of a prospective student’s decision. Elizabeth is deeply passionate about the influence of Christian education and the impact it can have on a student’s personal relationship with Christ. She is committed to grow deeper in her love for the Lord and to find ways to build His kingdom daily.

Liam Hesting ’23

Hometown: Columbia City, IN
Major: Philosophy
Email: liam_hesting@taylor.edu
Office of the Vice President for University Advancement
Liam Hesting is a senior Philosophy major with a minor in History. He currently serves on the football and track and field teams at Taylor, where he has received All-Conference and All-American recognition both on the field and in the throwing ring. Hesting has served as a Discipleship Assistant on First Bergwall where he has lived in the same room for the entirety of his time at Taylor. Upon completing his undergraduate degree, he plans to attend law school, and hopes to continue to fulfill his call to share the love of Christ through hard work and love for people and their stories.

Ela Alvarado

As an avid communicator, Ela Alvarado believes there is always a story waiting to be told. As she transitioned to college, she knew that her calling lay in sharing those untold, yet very needed stories. Having professionally spoken before audiences of more than 500 people, managed social media accounts for her academic department, and created a YouTube cooking channel with a growing audience, she has a driven mindset for whatever she pursues. She has always loved to use social media as a medium of communication, but as her desire to tell good stories grew, she saw the need to use it more intentionally. As a senior public relations student, her greatest passion is to creatively, professionally, and strategically use social media to show the power of God’s glory at work in every single entity. With a growing passion for media management and God’s Kingdom alike, she seeks to broaden her expertise in putting them together to tell a story as it has never been told before.

Mariah Hurst

Mariah Hurst is a Graphic Design student with a double minor in Multimedia Journalism and Honors. She was raised in La Paz, Bolivia, where she gained a deep appreciation for God’s beauty heard and seen through the stories of different cultures and people. Her passion for written and visual communication came alive her junior and senior year of high school, while interning as a marketing assistant at Word Made Flesh, an organization that helps those affected by sexual exploitation find abundant life in Christ. Moving from the mountains of La Paz to the cornfields of Indiana, Mariah sank her roots in the Taylor community. She has served as co-president of the International Student Society and is now the co-president of the Multicultural Student Association. As she looks to her remaining time at Taylor and beyond, Mariah's mission is to reflect God's beauty and to proclaim His Truth in her life and labor.

Noah Huseman

Noah Huseman is a senior English Education major. He currently plays on the Taylor baseball team and has served in multiple leadership capacities at Taylor as a Personnel Assistant in Samuel Morris Hall, an intern in the Calling and Career Office, and a cabinet member in MainStage--Taylor's student organization dedicated to creating spaces for Christian fellowship through music and dance. Huseman grew up in northern Kentucky just across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio, in a Christ-centered household with his parents, Willie and Sherry, and his closest sister of six, Logan. Following the conclusion of his degree, Huseman plans to pursue a career coaching baseball and teaching high school English.

Sawyer Watterson

Sawyer is the firstborn in a family of four kids and grew up in the small town of Parma, Michigan. He is a junior studying Human Physiology and Preventive Medicine at Taylor with aspirations to continue to dental school after graduation. After transferring to Taylor for his sophomore year, Sawyer is now a captain for the men’s soccer team. He has fallen in love with the community, events, and culture of Taylor’s distinctive campus. Sawyer is also a small business co-owner. He has recently assumed responsibilities in a community swim lesson business including marketing, accounting, and website development in addition to teaching swim lessons to young children. This experience has solidified Sawyer’s driving purpose to bring out the best in others. Whether through running a private dental practice or potentially leading another community-based organization, he hopes to assist and equip those around him to live life abundantly. In his free time, Sawyer loves to read, spend time with his family, and cheer on Michigan’s football and basketball teams.