IREX
International Research & Exchanges Board

2004 Participant Biographies

Listed below are the biographies of Russian and American volunteers who participated in USRVI in 2004.

Russian Volunteers: HIV/AIDS Prevention and Awareness Program

Elvira Araslanova, St. Petersburg
Host Organization: Tenderloin AIDS Resource Center, San Francisco, CA
Since January 2003, Elvira Araslanova has been working at the organization “Stellit,” where she has participated in a variety of projects. The projects include helping women involved in prostitution, reducing HIV infection rates among prostitutes, developing educational and correctional programs for women prisoners and prison workers, and establishing a partnership project on HIV/AIDS prevention among women. Her knowledge and experience have allowed her to consult on HIV/AIDS and women’s and men’s health, participate in sociological research and outreach, and give psychological support to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA).

Irina Deobald, Moscow
Host Organization: Whitman Walker Clinic, Washington, DC
Irina Deobald is a graduate of the Moscow University of Psychology and Pedagogy. Her work as a volunteer began in 2001 at the Educational Center “INFO-Plus,” where she went through training to become an HIV/AIDS hotline operator. She worked a total of 876 hours as a hotline operator and helped promote volunteering for the hotline amongst university students through presentations that she developed. In 2003 she became a social worker at INFO-Plus and expanded her work to include managing the hotline and supervising, training, and motivating volunteers. Deobald has also attended numerous seminars and conferences on the topic of HIV/AIDS, including “Judicial Aspects of HIV/AIDS, “Stigma and Discrimination,” “Homosexuality and HIV,” and “Drugs and HIV.” In 2004 she also participated in the XV International Conference on HIV/AIDS in Bangkok, Thailand.

Konstantin Diakonov, Moscow
Host Organization: Interfaith AIDS Ministry of Greater Danbury, CT
Konstantin Diakonov began his work as a volunteer in 2004, when he helped organize the House of Arts for children in Chechnya. He spent nearly a month in Grozny coordinating the event. In the spring of 2004 he became an outreach volunteer and conducted educational campaigns to prevent the rise of HIV/AIDS infections in the gay community. He viewed his participation in USRVI as an opportunity to share his experience and knowledge with other volunteers working on HIV/AIDS.

Daria Khrustaleva, Barnaul
Host Organization: Interfaith AIDS Ministry of Greater Danbury, CT
Although Daria Khrustaleva was trained as an international economist, while in college she realized that her interests extend well beyond the study of economics. She began to volunteer at the Children-Youth Organization “Pilgrim,” where she served as a camp counselor. After the camp was over, Khrustaleva and other camp leaders began organizing leadership trainings in orphanages and discussions for local teenagers on various topics, ranging from preventing HIV/AIDS and human rights. Later, she joined the Barnaul-based organization “Siberian Initiative” as a volunteer and trainer. Her activities at this organization have included work on a project aimed at promoting tolerance and understanding for people living with HIV/AIDS in Russia.

Konstantin Kosachev, Moscow
Host Organization: Tenderloin AIDS Resource Center, San Francisco, CA
In 2003 Konstantin Kosachev began volunteering at the humanitarian fund “I+I” on a project to design and publish the magazine “Kvir”, where he lent his talents in art, graphic design, and photo editing. While with this organization, he also trained to work as a hotline operator. He also participated in discussion groups, where he helped teenagers and young people deal with various problems. In May and June 2004, Kosachev underwent training to work as an operator at an HIV/AIDS hotline for the Educational Center “INFO-Plus.” His volunteer and professional experience helped him become an effective educator on various subjects that used to be “closed” topics in Russian society—the topics of HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, and sexual and racial discrimination.

Alexei Lepshin, Cheliabinsk
Host Organization: AID Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
Alexei Lepshin’s first encounter with non-profit organizations began during his college years when he worked with the organization “Siberia-AIDS-Help” where he created an informational center for the prevention of HIV/AIDS. He also has served as a consultant for the Novosibirsk organization “Humanitarian Project” where he conducted research on high-risk youth in danger of contracting HIV/AIDS. He also became a teacher at the Cheliabinsk Independent Research Center “There is an Opinion,” the goal of which is to conduct research and HIV/AIDS prevention among intravenous drug-users.

Olga Titkova, Moscow
Host Organization: AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
Olga Titkova began her public service work as a volunteer on a project dealing with drug use and HIV/AIDS prevention among drug-users and prostitutes. She distributed booklets on prevention of HIV/AIDS and provided consultations and psychological help to those in high-risk groups. In February 2001, she became an outreach worker and trainer at this organization. At the same time she became interested in rehabilitation programs for drug addicts and in April 2001 organized a 12-step program for people dependent on drugs. She also has staffed an HIV/AIDS hotline funded by UNICEF, participated in the project “Return to Life,” where she helped to increase awareness about the danger of drug use, and volunteered with action “Red Ribbon,” dedicated to World AIDS Day.

Artem Zharkov, St. Petersburg
Host Organization: AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI
In 2002-2003 Artem Zharkov took part in project ‘Return” organized by the St. Petersburg National Medical University and the St. Petersburg Regional Organization. The project was dedicated to organizing clinical and prophylactic services for teenagers with chronic viral diseases and was supported by UNICEF. As part of this project, Zharkov recruited patients and hospitals to participate in this program. In 2003, a new program was created as a continuation of this program and allowed for the creation of an actual center for the diagnosis of children with viral chronic diseases. Since April 2004, he has been part of a program run by the St. Petersburg branch of the Russian Red Cross “An Equal Teaches an Equal,” where he, as a medical student, conducts discussions with volunteers about the issue of HIV/AIDS prevention, hepatitis, and other sexually transmitted infections.

Russian Volunteers: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Program

Albert Abilov, Izhevsk
Host Organization: River City Youth Foundation, Austin, TX
Since November 2003, Albert Abilov has worked as an assistant dean of the department of telecommunications at Izhevsk National Technical University. He has been with this university professionally since 1996, when he was an assistant at the department of radio technology. His volunteer work has been conducted primarily at the university, where he oversaw the development of a web site for his department and ensured its accessibility by professors and students, organized the international conference “Technical Universities: Integration into the European and World Educational Network,” and promoted inter-university academic and professional exchanges.

Andrey Ayzvert, Vladikavkaz
Host Organization: The Inland Northwest Community Access Network, Spokane, WA
Andrey Ayzvert’s volunteer experience began with a youth action against drug use, particularly a social marketing campaign about the dangers of drug use. The volunteers of this action also spread information about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. His youth organization “Freund” promotes healthy lifestyles among youth and Ayzvert has organized various trips to show the benefits of healthy living to teenagers.

Elena Fel’dman, Tula
Host Organization: University Settlement, Cleveland, OH
In 1998 Elena Fel’dman began her volunteer work at the Youth Club “Academia Plastunov.” The purpose of this club was to widen the worldview of young people from troubled families, develop their physical abilities, improve their health, and give them skills for life as independent adults. In 1999 she met with volunteers from a Jewish humanitarian organization “Khasdei Neshama” and became involved in their work, including caring for the elderly and infirm, and teaching people about Jewish culture. Fel’dman worked on a variety of projects with this organization, from organizing events to creating new programs. In 2002 “Khashei Neshama” had the opportunity to create a city center of information and communication technology. The center gives people an opportunity to use information technology to improve their professional skills.

Olga Gulina, Ufa
Host Organization: River City Youth Foundation, Austin, TX
Olga Gulina received a law degree from Bashkir State University with a concentration in human rights. She is currently enrolled in a doctoral program in this same field. Gulina has used her training as a lawyer in her NGO work and since 2002 she has worked as a volunteer at an NGO that is involved in researching human rights and civic initiatives. She also volunteered at a law clinic, providing free consultations on human rights to high school students. Since 2003, she has volunteered with the Moscow-Helsinki Human Rights Group, where she coordinated a project that oversaw regional human rights centers in Russia. In August 2003, she consulted on student rights for a Youth Human Rights Movement. She also participated in an exchange program and a number of conferences and seminars in other countries.

Kirill Gusev, Kaluga
Host Organization: Computers 4 Kids, Charlottesville, VA
As a volunteer, Kirill Gusev participated in a number of activities and projects. While still in high school, he participated in a project organized by the Kaluga Agency for Social Information, where his responsibilities included analyzing the news, editing, and organizing public events. Gusev used the experience he gained on this project to help run a student newspaper in his own school. In 2001 and 2002 he volunteered at the virtual information resource center www.trainet.org, where his duties included selecting news about the noncommercial sector in Russia, editing news stories, and posting information on the web site. Through this experience, Gusev gained a full understanding of information technology, which prepared him for participation in future volunteer projects at his university and with other organizations.

Lyubov Matyunina, Kaliningrad
Host Organization: The Inland Northwest Community Access Network, Spokane, WA
Lyubov Matyunina’s volunteer experience began in 2000, when she helped organize a youth rock festival. Since then, she has become very interested in social work and in 2001 began volunteering at the Center of Personal and Family Protection where she originally worked on the crisis hotline and distributed materials. Her responsibilities now include public relations and informational support for the organization and its activities. While working at the hotline, Matyunina realized that many of her peers do not have proper information about their rights, and the mechanisms for protecting them. Additionally, they know very little about how their peers live abroad, as well as in their own region. To change this, Matyunina created a youth newspaper entitled “Yours.”

Petr Polianski, Samara
Host Organization: River City Youth Foundation, Austin, TX
In the summer of 1997, as a student at the Samara National Pedagogical University, Petr Polianski was invited to participate in camp counselor training at the children’s health camp “Salute.” When the camp was bought by Yukos Corporation and turned into a first-class recreational center for children, Polianski was invited to be the manager and then director of the complex. In 2003 the Department of Culture of Samara Region created the “House of International Friendship” and Polianski was appointed the head engineer for the project. The building was completely renovated, remodeled and computerized, and it now houses 14 public organizations.

Igor Ryabikov, Ulyanovsk
Host Organization: University Settlement, Cleveland, OH
Igor Ryabikov developed the desire to volunteer while he was a university student. He turned to the Committee on Youth Affairs of Ulyanovsk Region and was offered work at a volunteer camp in Spain, where he and a group of other young people restored historical and cultural landmarks. After this project, Ryabikov became even more interested in volunteering and became involved in a number of weekend events and social projects in Ulyanovsk. After graduation, he was offered work on a project to bring information technology to schools in Ulyanovsk. He is a mathematician and programmer by training, so his skills were very important for the success of this project. As a result, six rural schools received computers, which were installed and wired for Internet by volunteers.

Julia Sagdeeva, Izhevsk
Host Organization: Citiwide Computer Training Center, Washington, DC
Julia Sagdeeva is a graduate student at the Institute of Applied Mechanics of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, where she majors in mathematical modeling and complex programming. She currently works as a translator of technical and scientific literature at the Scientific Publishing Center in Izhevsk. During the school year, she works as an engineer at the Department of Information and Communication Technology at Izhevsk State Technical University. She is a volunteer with the Izhevsk Youth Organization of German-Russians “Jugendheim,” where she develops computer multimedia presentations, tutors mathematics, and participates in various other activities.

Alyona Sergievskaia, Samara
Host Organization: Citiwide Computer Training Center, Washington, DC
Alyona Sergievskaia’s extensive volunteer experience includes working at the Cultural-Linguistic Regional Public Organization “Alliance Francaise Samara,” the Samara Regional Youth Organization “Lastochka”, Children’s Health Camp “Sunrise”, and the Samara Public Organization of People in Wheelchairs “Association Desnitsa.” She is particularly passionate about working to protect the rights of people with disabilities. She also participated in a number of conferences on volunteerism, children’s issues, and human rights. From 2002 to 2003, she participated in an international exchange of volunteers in Lehtimaki, Finland. While in Finland, she volunteered at the school for children with limited abilities. She is currently a student at Samara Medical Institute “Reaviz” and strongly believes in the power of volunteerism.

Alexander Venediktov, Ekaterinburg
Host Organization: Computers 4 Kids, Charlottesville, VA
Alexander Venediktov’s first volunteer experience took place in 2003 with the international student organization BEST (Board of European Students of Technology). BEST is a noncommercial and nongovernmental organization composed of students from technical universities in Europe, connecting 64 universities from 25 countries. LBG-Ekaterinburg is one of the local branches of this organization and Venediktov is an active member of it. His volunteer activities with this organization include developing the organization’s web site, teaching web skills through a summer course, and developing public relations materials. He currently studies technology and information security at the Ural National University of Communication.

Alexey Venediktov, Ekaterinburg
Host Organization: The Inland Northwest Community Access Network, Spokane, WA
Since 2003, Alexey Venediktov has been involved with the international student organization BEST (Board of European Students of Technology), an organization that unites students of technical universities of Europe. In his group he is the coordinator of a web team, which provides support for their web site. He views the work of this organization as the “Window to Europe,” because it serves as a method of exchanging information.

Anna Vorozheykina, Togliatti
Host Organization: University Settlement, Cleveland, OH
Anna Vorozheykina’s volunteer experience includes working on the following projects: organizing youth discussions on anticorruption, developing methods of teaching law volunteers to use information technology, participating in the ecological action “Clean Territory,” helping organize the
youth project “For Fair Elections,” and developing web sites for the NGO “Youth Organization of Students of Togliatti” and fund “Development Through Education.” Vorozheykina hopes that USRVI will help her gain the skills needed to realize a personal project - preparing socially conscious and active young professionals in Russia. She also hopes to work at the Togliatti National Service Academy as a professor of applied information technology in economics and become more involved in NGO work.

American Participants: HIV/AIDS Prevention and Awareness Program

Katayoun Bahramian, Seattle, WA
Host Organization: Russian Red Cross, Irkutsk Regional Branch, Irkutsk
Katayoun Bahramian is the Acting Program Director at Street Outreach Services (S.O.S.) in Seattle, WA, an organization that aims to reduce the HIV/AIDS infection rate in three target groups, intravenous drug users, women in high-risk groups, including prostitutes, and the homeless. She has volunteered at Planned Parenthood in Gainesville, FL and Seattle, WA, as well as the Seattle-King Country Department of Public Health, where she has worked in HIV/AIDS prevention. Bahramian completed her Masters in Public Health at the University of Washington in June 2004.

Hillary Colter, Eugene, OR
Host Organization: Russian Red Cross, Komi Regional Branch, Komi republic
Hilary Colter has extensive experience studying Eastern Europe, having received her Bachelors degree in Russian and East European Studies from the University of Oregon, Eugene and studying abroad in St. Petersburg, Russia. During her time abroad, Colter conducted volunteer work with the mentally and physically disabled. She also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Bulgaria. She also volunteered with the HIV/AIDS Alliance in Oregon.

Conrad Corpus, San Francisco, CA
Host Organization: Russian Red Cross, Komi Regional Branch, Komi Republic
Conrad Corpus is a Program Officer Intern at the International Diplomacy Council, where he manages international visitor programs, and an undergraduate student at San Francisco State University, where he is studying international relations. Corpus has performed public service with the American Red Cross, Compumentor, the Persian Center, the Filipino Youth Center and the Wheelchair Foundation. In addition, he has served as a peer health educator at both the Stop AIDS Project and Filipinos for Affirmative Action.

Emily Dale, Edina, MN
Host Organization: Center on HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention, Omsk
Emily Dale completed her Masters in Public Health at George Washington University in May 2004. While at GWU, Dale was President of the Public Health Student Association. She also volunteered at the Mary’s Center for Maternal and Child Health and for World AIDS Day activities. She was an Americorps National Service Scholarship recipient for her volunteer work with the Study Buddies Tutoring and Mentoring Program. She founded the AMIGOS Chicano/Latino Community Connection Program, assisting immigrants in their transitions to life in the United States. Dale also completed a two-year internship with the Academy for Educational Development, where she worked on the LINKAGES Project. At AED, Dale assisted in the development of promotional and technical publications on maternal and child health, nutrition, and safe infant feeding in numerous situations, including in the context of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Brad Epperly, Whittier, CA
Host Organization: Russian Red Cross, Komi Regional Branch, Komi Republic
Brad Epperly received a graduate certificate in Russian from the Monterey Institute of International Studies and completed a Masters degree in Russian studies at European University in St. Petersburg, Russia. He also recently obtained a certificate in post-conflict management at Ohrid Summer University, Euro-Balkan Institute in Macedonia. His volunteer experience is extensive, including service with Food Not Bombs, the International Discussion Club, a branch of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine where he helped monitor both local and federal Russian elections, and AIDS Services Foundation in Orange Country, CA, where he visited local hospitals and hospices, visiting with HIV/AIDS patients.

Susan Farley, New York, NY
Host Organization: The Urals State University of Communications, Ekaterinburg
Susan Farley is a graduate student in Human Rights and Economic Development at Columbia University. Prior to enrolling at Columbia, Farley spent 6 months in Dili, East Timor working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation where she provided support to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. She also has experience working for several biotechnology companies that perform research and development of many HIV/AIDS treatment drugs. Farley received an undergraduate degree in international relations at New York University.

Rachel Gartell, Phoenix, AZ
Host Organization: Center on HIV/AIDS Education and Prevention, Omsk
Rachel Gartell is currently a member of AmeriCorps, conducting her service at Make A Difference in Phoenix, AZ, where she coordinates education programming. In addition, Gartell designs volunteer programs and recruits, trains and manages the organization’s volunteers. She has experience volunteering with a variety of organizations, including the United Way and the Salvation Army, as well as two organizations dealing with HIV/AIDS: Joshua Tree, a non-profit that serves the HIV-infected, lower income population of Central Phoenix and AIDS H.O.P.E., which focuses on AIDS education and prevention. Gartell received her Bachelors degree from Arizona State University.

Danika Kazmer, Pittsburgh, PA
Host Organization: Russian Red Cross, Irkutsk Regional Branch, Irkutsk
Danika Kazmer is working as a legal assistant at Watkins Dulac & Roe P.C. She recently received a Masters degree in international relations from the Center for Russian and East European Studies at the University of Pittsburgh. She has interned with Magee WomanCare International, where she researched women’s issues in Albania, as well as Amnesty International, where she prepared case studies and other materials. She has conducted public service work with the Pittsburgh Refugee Council, the Student Global AIDS Project, and Global Links.

Suzan Lam, Miami, FL
Host Organization: Russian Red Cross, Irkutsk Regional Branch, Irkutsk
Suzan Lam has been working as the Small Grants Trust Officer of the National AIDS Forum of Honduras in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, where she awarded grants to small, community based HIV/AIDS organizations. She has an undergraduate degree in international relations and Spanish literature from Florida International University, and holds a certificate in Asian Globalization and Latin American Studies.

Sophie Pinkham, Laguna Beach, CA
Host Organization: Russian Red Cross, Irkutsk Regional Branch, Irkutsk
Sophie Pinkham earned her Bachelors degree in English from Yale University in May 2004. She conducted an internship at Planned Parenthood in New Haven, CT, was a member of the Reproductive Rights Action League at Yale, and served as a peer educator at both the Community Health Educators and the New York Civil Liberties’ Union Reproductive Rights Project.

Danielle Reiff, New York, NY
Host Organization: Center of the Social Development and Information, Samara
In July 2004, Danielle Reiff completed a Masters degree in international affairs and development studies at the Institut d'Etudes Politiques (Sciences Po) in Paris, France. She has also studied conflict management and security studies at Landegg International University in Switzerland. She has conducted internships and assistantships at the World Bank Group, the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations, and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Burkina Faso, where she educated the local community on the dangers of HIV/AIDS and methods of prevention.

Beth Sullins, Washington, DC
Host Organization: Russian Red Cross, Komi Regional Branch, Komi Republic
Beth Sullins is an undergraduate student at American University, where she is studying international security and Russian. She has an extensive volunteer history and has worked with Planned Parenthood, Healthy Community * Healthy Youth (HC*HY) in Boise, ID, Special Olympics Idaho, and the Idaho Youth Action Council. At HC*HY, Sullins designed a program called “Clearing Up the Lies”, which taught local teenagers HIV/AIDS prevention.

Daniel Winetsky, New York, NY
Host Organization: Center of the Social Development and Information, Samara
Daniel Winetsky graduated from Oberlin College with a Bachelors degree in Neuroscience. Winetsky has worked as an emergency medical technician with the Citizens Ambulance Service in Wakeman, OH, and has volunteered with the Bikes and Kids Program at the Oberlin Bicycle Cooperative, Habitat for Humanity, and OC Mentors. He also conducted public service with the Oberlin College Student Health Department, where he administered anonymous HIV testing and advised clients about risk management and local resources, and the Department of Cardiology at the Cleveland Clinic where he visited with patients awaiting heart transplants. He also participated in the AIDS LifeCycle, a week-long 579 mile bike race from San Francisco to Los Angeles, raising over $5,000 for a local AIDS charity.

American Participants: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Program

Zayra Badillo, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Host Organization: NGO Charity Foundation for Handicapped Children «Our Children», Ryazan
Zayra Badillo is a project coordinator and facilitator for conflict management programs at Southern Hemisphere Consultants Pty (Ltd.) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She received her Bachelors degree in European history from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, and earned a certificate in Russian language at St. Petersburg State University. She has also studied German, Arabic, and is a native speaker of Spanish. Badillo gained IT experience by working as an assistant librarian at her university in Puerto Rico, where she taught students how to use computer systems and library databases and upgraded library software. She also co-founded the group Biblioteca Capetillo, which promotes and develops community libraries.

Shoshana Billik, Los Altos, CA
Host Organization: NGO Charity Foundation for Handicapped Children «Our Children», Ryazan
Shoshana Billik, who received her Bachelors degree in computer science and Russian from Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA, has extensive experience both working and volunteering in the IT field. She has worked with NASA and Sun Microsystems, and she is a certified UNIX and CCNA administrator. She has volunteered with Biointensive for Russia in Palo Alto, CA, where she helped with web design, networking, and hardware/software troubleshooting; Lion’s Blind Center, where she designed systems to be more accessible to the center’s blind clientele; and NetDay, where she helped connect local schools to the Internet.

Theresa Chen, Boston, MA
Host Organization: The Urals State University of Communications, Ekaterinburg
Theresa Chen received her Masters degree in Public Affairs from Indiana University in May 2004. She is currently an analyst with the Workforce and Income Security Team at the US Government Accountability Office in Boston, MA. Prior to her work with the USGAO, Chen worked at the Strategic Development Group in Bloomington, IN and with NetAction in San Francisco, CA. She has conducted IT-related volunteer work with the Suitcase Clinic, a non-profit that provides services to the homeless community in Berkeley, CA, where she maintained their website and email list-servs. She also served as a volunteer at Common Ground Community in New York, where she provided technology services to both fellow employees and residents at Common Grounds living facilities for the recently homeless.

Wyatt Matthews, Bar Harbor, ME
Host Organization: The Urals State University of Communications, Ekaterinburg
Wyatt Matthews is pursuing a Masters degree in education at the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, ME and has been accepted into an additional Masters program through the European Network on Humanitarian Aid in Dublin, Ireland. He also served as a research and advocacy intern at the Franciscans International at the United Nations. He has volunteered with the Vera Project, Harambee, Students for Social Change, and Builders for Peace, with whom he traveled to Bosnia-Herzegovina to repair a damaged mosque with Bosnian and Croatian volunteers. He has also operated his own Internet business.

Carrie Nedzipovik, Brattleboro, VT
Host Organization: Interregional Public Foundation "Center of Civic Initiatives Support", Novosibirsk
Carrie Nedzipovik is an Americorps volunteer at the Fletcher Free Library in Burlington, VT, where she serves as the Coordinator for Refugee and Immigrant Services, particularly in regards to literacy. She received her Bachelors degree from Clark University in Worcester, MA in international development and social change, and studied conflict management in Northern Ireland. Nedzipovik has conducted extensive volunteer work with the Institute for Sustainable Development, Amnesty International, YMCA, and the Refugee Immigration Ministry, and enjoys bridging countries and cultures through the use of technology.

Andrew Simmons, Washington, DC
Host Organization: Interregional Public Foundation "Center of Civic Initiatives Support", Novosibirsk
Andrew Simmons has a Bachelors degree in Russian and French from Principia College in Elsah, IL. He has also served as a newspaper research intern at the St. Petersburg Times in St. Petersburg, Russia. Simmons has done web design and maintenance for the Marshall Brooks Library in Elsah, IL, and continues to do this work at the National Recreation and Park Association in Washington, DC. He has also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity.

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