Difference Makers
UM-Dearborn Difference Makers are at the forefront of their fields. They’re improving the lives of others and making an impact on campus and in our local communities.
Ryinta Brown isn’t one to be tethered to a desk.
Instead, she’s used her time at University of Michigan-Dearborn to travel the world, gaining a broader understanding of national and international issues.
As a student in the College of Business, Ryinta traveled to Padua, Italy, in the summer of 2012 to participate in the International Summer Program in Management.
Back in the States, she was a site leader for an Alternative Spring Break (ASB) trip to the Everglades, Fla., where she conducted conservation work at the Everglades National Park, Biscayne National Park and Monkey Jungle.
And in the summer 2013, she’ll travel to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, as a member of the Global Intercultural Experience for Undergraduates (GIEU) program. She’ll spend her days working with a summer literacy program for Children of the Dump, a an organization set among the dump communities of Puerto Vallarta that provides food, shelter and education for area families.
Closer to home, Ryinta has volunteered as site leader for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and as a reading tutor at Henry Ford Elementary School.
Through her travel and service activities, Ryinta discovered a new passion for pursuing global and community service projects. She’s looking into joining the Peace Corps before continuing her education.
“I have sacrificed a lot of my time and have learned the value of giving and being able to help others,” she said. “This has lead me to further my commitment to service and being of service to humanity in any way that I can.”
In addition to her volunteer efforts, Ryinta has been an active member of the campus community.
She is president of Pinky Promise Organization, vice president of Collegiate Healthy Living Association and a member of Women in Leadership and Learning, Blueprints Leadership Program, Metro Scholars and Sigma Alpha Phi national honor society.
“Ryinta is boldly stepping out into her future, excited about making a difference in the world around her,” said Lori Ormsby, academic adviser in the College of Business. “She’s a great choice for a 2013 Difference Maker because I know that she will be doing her part to make a difference around the world for many years to come.”
