- \n
- \u201cConsent: Ask For It\u201d Campaign<\/strong> – Leadership Development Lab I<\/span><\/li>\n
- Alcohol’s Effect on Student Sexual Assault: Ending the Connection<\/strong> – Leadership Development Lab II<\/span><\/li>\n
- Decriminalization of Sex Work<\/strong> – CLEG Seminar<\/span><\/li>\n
- Fighting Against Barriers<\/strong> – Violence, Justice, and the Law<\/span><\/li>\n
- Opioid Crisis After COVID-19<\/strong> – Introduction to Justice Research<\/span><\/li>\n
- Ban The Box<\/strong> – Justice and Public Policy<\/span><\/li>\n
- Analysis of Reformation Clothing Brands Sustainability<\/strong> – Global Corporate Citizenship<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Conferences & Trainings<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Transgender Patient Care at Mount Sinai\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Columbia Health LGBTQ Cultural Sensitivity Presentation<\/span><\/li>\n
- Crane Center Trans Wellness Conference\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- Why Mechanisms and Not Tribunals Seminar from the NYU Center for Global Affairs<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Attending conferences, trainings, and presentations have taught me the value of public speaking, commanding the attention of the room, and being able to present your message in a precise and digestible manner. Based on my attendance at these events, I have been able to apply what I learned to my own presentations at American University. … Continue reading Conferences & Presentations<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2398,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-72","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/72","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2398"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=72"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/72\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=72"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":70,"date":"2021-04-25T19:59:13","date_gmt":"2021-04-25T19:59:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/?page_id=70"},"modified":"2021-04-25T19:59:13","modified_gmt":"2021-04-25T19:59:13","slug":"involvement","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/involvement\/","title":{"rendered":"Involvement"},"content":{"rendered":"
Throughout my time at American University, I’ve been able to get involved with various organizations and have been able to work on multiple projects. Within these endeavors, I have been able to grow as both a leader and a follower.<\/p>\n
Organizations<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Alpha Xi Delta Sorority Iota Phi Chapter<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Executive Marketing Director (January 2020 – August 2020)<\/li>\n
- Social Chair (April 2019 – December 2019)<\/li>\n
- Graphic Design Chair (December 2018 – December 2019)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Sustainable Ocean Alliance<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Member (January 2019 – January 2020)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- She\u2019s the First<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Member (August 2017 – Present)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Projects<\/h3>\n
- \n
- Fighting Against Barriers: A Voice to the Voiceless<\/strong>\n
- \n
- January 2021 – Present<\/li>\n
- Connecting volunteer interpreters and translators from American University with organizations that assist migrant individuals facing legal battles. The goal of this project is to break down language barriers that hinder immigrants’ rights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Alcohol’s Effect on Student Sexual Assault: Ending the Connection<\/strong>\n
- \n
- September 2019 – December 2019<\/li>\n
- Informed members of the American University community about the dangers of alcohol as it relates to sexual assault in college.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- “Consent: Ask For It” Campaign<\/strong>\n
- \n
- September 2017 – March 2018<\/li>\n
- Discussed gender and sexuality with the American University community in order to inform people on safe and consensual sex, break down stigmas, shed light on the flaws and heteronormativity of school sex education, and reclaim gendered stereotypes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Throughout my time at American University, I’ve been able to get involved with various organizations and have been able to work on multiple projects. Within these endeavors, I have been able to grow as both a leader and a follower. Organizations Alpha Xi Delta Sorority Iota Phi Chapter Executive Marketing Director (January 2020 – August … Continue reading Involvement<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2398,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-70","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/70","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2398"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/70\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":68,"date":"2021-04-25T19:35:40","date_gmt":"2021-04-25T19:35:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/?page_id=68"},"modified":"2021-04-25T20:13:43","modified_gmt":"2021-04-25T20:13:43","slug":"coursework-at-american-university","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/coursework-at-american-university\/","title":{"rendered":"Coursework"},"content":{"rendered":"
Attached is a list of courses I have taken at American University that relate to leadership. Each one of these courses has allowed me to grow as a leader and has taught me valuable lessons on how different leadership styles are applicable in a wide variety of situations.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Leadership Development Lab I (SPA-361)<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Structured and unstructured exercises, including community service activities, to increase students’ understanding of leadership and the role of leaders in the public policy-making process and develop their personal leadership skills in communication, group dynamics, value clarification, the development of vision, managing emotions in leadership situations, bargaining, and negotiation, and the relationship of personal growth to leadership roles and functions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Leadership Development Lab II (SPA-362)<\/strong>\n
- \n
- An advanced leadership development course that consists of structured and unstructured exercises designed to increase students’ understanding of leadership and the role leaders play in the public policy-making process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Individual Freedom Vs Authority (GOVT-105)<\/strong>\n
- \n
- The study of major philosophical discussions of the conflict between individual freedom and authority with analysis of the relation between this conflict and the problem of organizing a government<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Writing for Communication (COMM-200)<\/strong>\n
- \n
- A course stressing basic writing techniques for unique audiences. Intensive practice in writing for print, web, broadcast, public communication, and public service.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Politics in the U.S. (GOVT-110)<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Study of major philosophical concepts that shaped government in the United States combined with an analysis of contemporary political institutions and behavior, focusing on the American governmental system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Public Speaking (COMM-310)<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Principles of effective speaking. Practice in preparing and presenting several types of public addresses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Political Power & American Public Policy (GOVT-210)<\/strong>\n
- \n
- This course offers an introduction to American public policy and written communication in political science. Students explore key questions about political power and public policy, learn the writing conventions of political science, and refine their written communication and information literacy skills. Through examination of the American public policymaking system and prominent issues in American public policy, as well as instruction on problem definition, issue analysis, and policy proposal, students come to understand how policy is made and how to participate effectively in the process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Global Corporate Citizenship (MGMT-201)<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Understanding the complexity of the business environment requires an understanding of business as a citizen. Certainly, a good business citizen obeys the law, but is that sufficient? Good business citizenship also requires participation in the social order and accepting and perpetuating common values. This course prepares students to be managers and leaders of businesses that practice good citizenship in the global economy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Applied Political Writing (GOVT-443)<\/strong>\n
- \n
- This course provides students with the writing skills necessary for success in political fields, from campaign politics to political journalism to Congressional offices and issue advocacy organizations. Each student develops a portfolio of writing samples that can be used in applying for positions and\/or demonstrating skills and becomes familiar with the tools and techniques of expository and persuasive writing needed in the world of politics. The course emphasizes clarity and precision as well as the forms, substantive knowledge, and creativity important in political writing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Justice and Public Policy (JLC-309)<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Examines current basic national, state, and local policy issues that affect the definition of crime and shape public agency responses toward crime. The objective of the course is to sharpen and improve the student’s policy-oriented thinking about crime in a constitutional democracy and to develop a method to evaluate policy related to crime.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Introduction to Justice Research (JLC-280)<\/strong>\n
- \n
- This course focuses on the scientific study of people and their interactions, in particular questions related to crime, justice, and political violence. Researching these topics in a rigorous way is difficult, but also uniquely interesting and exciting. The course gives students the tools to analyze and understand social science research (i.e., be a consumer of research). It also provides quantitative skills in game theory, probability, statistics, and programming to serve as a foundation for becoming a producer of social science research.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Political & Organizational Leadership (SPA-460)<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Examines major theories and research in public leadership, with emphasis on American political and administrative institutions. Case studies of leaders and leadership in complex public organizations. The relative impact of personality and organizational factors in leadership development. Emphasis on students’ awareness of their own leadership style and development potential.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Violence, Justice, and the Law (JLC-454)<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Emphasis on various ideologies and events that cause or reduce violence, such as social movements, depressions, war, and political repression.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- CLEG Seminar (GOVT-489)<\/strong>\n
- \n
- Selected topical issues cutting across the disciplines of communication, law, economics, and political science.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Attached is a list of courses I have taken at American University that relate to leadership. Each one of these courses has allowed me to grow as a leader and has taught me valuable lessons on how different leadership styles are applicable in a wide variety of situations. Leadership Development Lab I (SPA-361) Structured and … Continue reading Coursework<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2398,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-68","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/68","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2398"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/68\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":19,"date":"2017-09-11T14:57:36","date_gmt":"2017-09-11T14:57:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/spatemplate\/?page_id=19"},"modified":"2021-04-25T19:59:44","modified_gmt":"2021-04-25T19:59:44","slug":"work-sample","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/work-sample\/","title":{"rendered":"Work Samples"},"content":{"rendered":"
Click on any of the tiles below to sample some of the work I’ve completed. I’ve included a variety of pieces in different topics to show the depth of my knowledge.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1079\/2020\/11\/Screen-Shot-2020-11-03-at-4.32.04-PM-300x171.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1079\/2020\/11\/Screen-Shot-2020-11-03-at-4.32.13-PM-300x171.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1079\/2020\/11\/Screen-Shot-2020-11-03-at-4.32.55-PM-300x170.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1079\/2020\/11\/Screen-Shot-2020-11-03-at-4.32.47-PM-300x170.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Click on any of the tiles below to sample some of the work I’ve completed. I’ve included a variety of pieces in different topics to show the depth of my knowledge.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2398,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-19","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2398"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":16,"date":"2017-09-11T14:57:36","date_gmt":"2017-09-11T14:57:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/spatemplate\/?page_id=16"},"modified":"2021-05-12T21:37:37","modified_gmt":"2021-05-12T21:37:37","slug":"about-me","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/","title":{"rendered":"Get to Know Me"},"content":{"rendered":"
\u201cThe only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.\u201d \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/strong>\u2014 Michelle Obama<\/strong><\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1079\/2020\/11\/HEADSHOT-200x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHi! My name is Laina D’Costa and I am a senior at American University.<\/p>\n
I was born and raised in New York City until I moved to Flemington, New Jersey in 2009. In August 2017, I began my college education at the School of Public Affairs at American University. As of May 2021, I have graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies: Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government along with a certification in Leadership. Through this extensive major, I have been granted the opportunity to expand my knowledge in multiple fields within my first two years of university, and then delve deeper into more poignant and abstract subjects within my last two years in university. Due to the abundance and variety of classes I have taken at American University, I have narrowed my passions to civil rights, government, public policy, and legal services and institutions.<\/p>\n
Throughout my life, I have broken through barriers in order to fight for my own rights as a first-generation American, which has prompted my passion for public service to better the lives of others who have shared my experiences. As the daughter of immigrants from different cultures, I have grown my understanding of building a community to be accepting of all individuals for their similarities and differences.<\/p>\n
Through my studies at American University, prior work experience, and personal life, I have cultivated skills in leadership, digital media marketing, and communications. I hope to expand my skills in legal and political work through positions within governmental or legal organizations in order to jumpstart my career and help achieve my goal of being involved in legal work to help others.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u201cThe only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.\u201d \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 … Continue reading Get to Know Me<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2398,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-16","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2398"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":13,"date":"2017-09-11T14:57:36","date_gmt":"2017-09-11T14:57:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/spatemplate\/?page_id=13"},"modified":"2021-05-12T21:31:53","modified_gmt":"2021-05-12T21:31:53","slug":"resume","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/resume\/","title":{"rendered":"Resume"},"content":{"rendered":"
- Selected topical issues cutting across the disciplines of communication, law, economics, and political science.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
- Leadership Development Lab II (SPA-362)<\/strong>\n
- Structured and unstructured exercises, including community service activities, to increase students’ understanding of leadership and the role of leaders in the public policy-making process and develop their personal leadership skills in communication, group dynamics, value clarification, the development of vision, managing emotions in leadership situations, bargaining, and negotiation, and the relationship of personal growth to leadership roles and functions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Leadership Development Lab I (SPA-361)<\/strong>\n
- Fighting Against Barriers: A Voice to the Voiceless<\/strong>\n
- Member (August 2017 – Present)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Columbia Health LGBTQ Cultural Sensitivity Presentation<\/span><\/li>\n
- Alcohol’s Effect on Student Sexual Assault: Ending the Connection<\/strong> – Leadership Development Lab II<\/span><\/li>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/edspace.american.edu\/ld5848a\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1079\/2021\/05\/Resume-May-2021--232x300.png\")
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"