Jonathan Becker ’26: Community Volunteer & Changemaker

Jonathan Becker ’26 is a History and Hispanic Studies double major from Menlo Park, California. Over the last four years, Jonathan built strong connections between Whitman College and Walla Walla through community service and advocacy. Along the way, he discovered the power of community-centered work and how it can create meaningful change.

Jonathan’s Whitman Highlights:

• Co-Chair of Whitman Votes 
• Whitman Career and Community Engagement Center (CCEC)  Volunteer Leader
• Newman Civic Fellow

Jonathan took on several leadership roles through Whitman’s CCEC, including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Volunteer Recruitment Leader; Project Sidewalk Leader; and Stream Team Program Leader. He also volunteered across nearly every community engagement program offered on campus.

As a History and Hispanic Studies double major, he completed two theses—one exploring Mexican racial identity in the 19th century and another focused on contemporary Chilean literature. One of his favorite classes was the Hispanic Studies Acting Workshop, where students collaborated to perform a play entirely in Spanish.

What’s next? Jonathan is headed to New York City to serve as a Migrant Support Coordinator with HIAS through the Avodah Jewish Service Corps. Working directly with migrants and refugees, he’ll help connect people with resources and support as they navigate life in a new community.