Impact

UIndy alum battles human trafficking around the world

April 21, 2017

While many doctors enjoy the resources of large clinics or hospitals, Dr. Katherine Welch, ‘93, delivers medical care in some of the most remote areas of the world, sometimes with few of the amenities typical for physicians today.

Alumnus Katherine Welch (UIndy '93) holds a discussion on human trafficking with pre-med and science students on April 6, 2017. (Photo by D. Todd Moore)

Alumnus Dr. Katherine Welch (’93) held a discussion on human trafficking with pre-med and science students on April 6, 2017. (Photo by D. Todd Moore)

Welch is the founder of Relentless, a Thailand-based global consulting agency that trains organizations to assist populations that oftentimes are victims of abuse, exploitation and trafficking and have no access to medical services. She is a global leader in the fight against human trafficking, a scenario she never imagined as a chemistry student at the University of Indianapolis.
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Alumnus brings awareness of refugees’ plight to immigration battle

April 10, 2017

Cole Varga (’10, international relations) understands more than most the impact of the recent immigration restrictions on families looking for better opportunities in the United States. As the executive director of Exodus Refugee Immigration Inc., he has seen firsthand how refugee resettlement transforms people’s lives.

Cole Varga, executive director, Exodus Refugee Immigration Inc.

Exodus is a 36-year-old Indianapolis-based non-profit refugee resettlement agency, and is one of about 300 in the United States. In 2016, Exodus welcomed 947 refugees from 17 countries, including Burma, Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Burundi, Central African Republic, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Honduras, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Sudan, and Ukraine.