The School of Social Work is proud to celebrate alumna Jewelry Pouna Keodara (BSW ’22, MSW ’23), who has been named a 2025–2026 Titus and Linda Peachey Peace Fellow with Legacies of War.

As part of the fellowship, Jewelry will travel to Laos to witness firsthand the lasting impact of unexploded ordnance (UXO) on local communities and the environment. Upon returning to the United States, she will share these experiences with U.S. senators and representatives in Washington, D.C., and present at events throughout the year to raise awareness and inspire advocacy.

Jewelry’s commitment to this work is deeply personal. The daughter of Lao immigrants, she focused her MSW studies on the intergenerational impacts of war in Laos. Through her work with the University of Illinois Asian American Cultural Center and the Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, she has consistently championed AAPI communities and uplifted stories that too often remain unheard.

“This fellowship represents both a continuation of my family’s story and a way to honor the resilience of my community,” Jewelry shared. The Titus and Linda Peachey Peace Fellowship honors the Peacheys’ decades of service in Laos and their dedication to peace, justice, and healing. Fellows carry forward this legacy by engaging directly with impacted communities and amplifying their voices on a national stage.