SPA Leadership

I have had the honor of being a part of the School of Public Affairs Leadership Program since arriving at American University. Within this program, I have made lifelong friends, honed my leadership skills, and created social action projects in the areas of social justice.

My first year was spent researching climate change and consumer pollution within a group of fellow students. After switching to online courses due to COVID-19, our project had to adapt. We transitioned from in-person recyclables drive to an online resource guide. We built out a site with ways to stay safe, sustainable, and entertained while indoors. You can check that out here: Sustainability Site

My sophomore year I worked on a project researching low-income housing policy and how it affects the housing crisis in DC. I wanted to understand what the goals of affordable housing policy are and what is needed to strengthen them.  I faced many challenges during implementation.  My goal was to lobby for different organizations through sharing their petitions as well as create a housing policy advocacy guide for college students. I gained 35 signatures on petitions for three lobbying movements within DC. You can read the toolkit here: DC Housing Resource Guide

I stayed working alongside the program during my junior and now senior year. My junior year I helped another group of 6 students through their second-year projects ranging from indigenous education resources to emergency preparedness equity. Now as a senior, I serve as an Interclass Community Coordinator. I plan events alongside my amazing co-team and am currently working on bringing back the mentor-mentee program.

Please also feel free to read my personal reflections on these leadership experiences on my reflections page.