Sundoes Elbery

As a child of Egyptian and Muslim immigrants, Sundoes’ adventurous spirit and love for travel stem from her upbringing. She grew up in Newark, a city often plagued by negative perceptions, so she deeply desires to challenge preconceived notions. Her journey from a challenging environment fuels her mission to inspire others to rise above their circumstances. She uses her experiences to motivate students and those around her to strive for a better future. Sundoes is a current doctoral student in the Educational Leadership for Higher Education program at Saint Peter’s University. While pursuing her doctorate and understanding the transformative power of travel, she has led student trips to Europe, Belize, Japan, and Peru. She is committed to exposing students to diverse cultures and experiences. As a social justice champion, she strives to empower those who are marginalized and to foster open discussions in her classroom. Sundoes was originally a student Scholar in 2011 and is the second Scholar in program history to return later and serve as an educator. Through this experience, she is determined to mentor and support her students in creating a truly exceptional Community Change Project.