From 91ֱ�� College to Goldman Sachs</h1> <article> <h1>From 91ֱ�� College to Goldman Sachs</h1> <p>ygay — Thu, 16 May 2024 19:37:29 +0000</p> <span>From 91ֱ�� College to Goldman Sachs</span> <span><span>ygay</span></span> <span><time datetime="2024-05-16T15:37:29-04:00" title="Thursday, May 16, 2024 - 15:37">Thu, 05/16/2024 - 15:37</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Anna Silverman ’22 has made a remarkable leap, from 91ֱ�� to the investment banking firm Goldman Sachs. A political science major with an integrative concentration in education studies, Silverman applies the critical thinking and problem-solving skills she honed at 91ֱ�� to her work as a global markets senior analyst. She recently shared how her background in political theory shaped her career path in finance and contributed to her early success in a competitive field.</p> <p><strong>How has your political science degree contributed to your work at Goldman Sachs?</strong></p> <p>Although my role at Goldman Sachs differs from my political science major, my education from 91ֱ�� has been invaluable. The diverse curriculum, extending beyond politics to the core subjects, taught me to efficiently learn and adapt to new challenges. This skill set has been crucial at Goldman, where I regularly encounter unfamiliar problems. Unrelated to my politics degree, my experience dissecting a rat in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/biology">Biology</a> 101 prepared me not to fear any challenge—even in the finance world.</p> <p><strong>Can you share how your extracurricular activities at 91ֱ�� impacted your professional development?</strong></p> <p>My time in Harkness co-op was instrumental in preparing me for Goldman Sachs. As a head cook for two years, I developed skills in multitasking, working under pressure, and leading a team. The culture of debate in the co-op’s governance taught me to confidently advocate for my ideas. I am truly grateful for this experience, as it significantly contributed to my career success.</p> <p><strong>What advice would you give 91ֱ�� students looking to enter competitive fields?</strong></p> <p>Make sure you leverage 91ֱ��’s unique qualities, such as its passionate professors and <a href="/life-at-oberlin/clubs-organizations">quirky clubs</a>, to make your job applications stand out. Building relationships with professors in your major is key. Take their classes, participate in the classroom, and go to office hours. 91ֱ��’s small community allows for these meaningful connections, which can be pivotal in obtaining strong references and recommendations. Also, don't hesitate to reach out to alumni in your desired field. Most are more than willing to help with the application process.</p> <p><strong>Were there any mentors at 91ֱ�� who were crucial to your professional growth?</strong></p> <p><a href="/eve-sandberg">Eve Sandberg</a>, my foreign policy professor, gave really great insights in her class as to what the expectations and realities are of working in fast-paced, high-stakes foreign policy fields. I found her advice to be transferable to my career now. My professor <a href="/joshua-freedman">Joshua Freedman</a> helped me build confidence in my abilities when I was in his seminar and worked as his research assistant. There are too many others to name, but all my professors have had an impact on my growth in one way or another.</p> <p><strong>What is your fondest memory from your time at 91ֱ��?</strong></p> <p>My fondest memory is of taking a samba class during a summer semester. When the weather was nice, we went out to dance in Tappan Square! It was not just a class, but a place where I formed lasting friendships and also gained an appreciation for 91ֱ��’s beauty in the summer. It’s a memory I’ll always cherish.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Global Market Senior Analyst Anna Silverman ’22 Shares How 91ֱ�� Helped Shape Her Career Path</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2024-05-16T12:00:00Z">Thu, 05/16/2024 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After 91ֱ��</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4063">Co-op</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2355">Student Organizations</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25251">Biology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=468171">Financial Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25331">Dance</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25416">Politics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/joshua-freedman" hreflang="und">Joshua Freedman</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/biology" hreflang="und">Biology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/finance" hreflang="und">Financial Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/dance" hreflang="und">Dance</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Anna Silverman</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Silverman</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Going Places</h1> <p>tapplega — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 18:25:19 +0000</p> <span>Going Places</span> <span><span>tapplega</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-10-11T14:25:19-04:00" title="Wednesday, October 11, 2023 - 14:25">Wed, 10/11/2023 - 14:25</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Jasmine Mitchell knew a few things she wanted out of college, though she wasn’t sure how she would get them: She wanted to see the world, and she wanted to make a difference in it.</p> <p>“While studying abroad had always been a dream of mine, it wasn't financially feasible,” she recalls thinking.</p> <p>That changed through her experience at 91ֱ��, where she completed a degree in <a href="/node/3341">East Asian studies</a> in 2021 and devoted the next two years to a cultural exchange as a <a href="https://www.shansi.org/">Shansi Fellow</a> in Japan.</p> <p>Mitchell’s practicum course in <a href="/node/3391">91ֱ��’s Politics Department</a> opened her eyes to a career in the Foreign Service. That’s also when she learned more about Shansi and the ways it could help her get a foothold abroad.</p> <p>“The Shansi Fellowship was one of the reasons I chose 91ֱ��,” she says.</p> <p>Founded in 1908, 91ֱ�� Shansi provides opportunities for new and recent graduates to teach English in Asia in collaboration with local universities, NGOs, and other organizations. Shansi traces its roots even further—to the 91ֱ�� students who served as missionaries in China in the late 19th century.</p> <p>“Considering my career ambitions, the Shansi Fellowship provided me with a unique chance to enhance my cross-cultural communication skills, adapt to and connect with people from diverse backgrounds, navigate unfamiliar situations, and build resilience,” Mitchell says. It also encouraged her to deeply consider notions of national identity, engage in cultural exchanges, and lead students in their understanding of the U.S. </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Fresh off a Shansi Fellowship in Japan, former East Asian studies major Jasmine Mitchell turns her focus to a new fellowship—and a role with the State Department.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-10-11T12:00:00Z">Wed, 10/11/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Henry Hicks IV ’21</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2368">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3937">Afrikan Heritage House</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2397">Shansi</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25336">East Asian Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25416">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=4821">Africana Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/east-asian-studies" hreflang="und">East Asian Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/africana-studies" hreflang="und">Africana Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Jasmine Mitchell</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-32107" class="paragraph paragraph--type--pb-el-bq paragraph--view-mode--default"> <blockquote class="blockquote--slicer" data-text-size-large> <p>“Living and working at the Afrikan Heritage House helped me solidify my commitment to pursuing a career in the Foreign Service.”</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-27819" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <p>This fall, Mitchell begins a new chapter: She was selected for a prestigious <a href="https://pickeringfellowship.org/">Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship</a>, which supports her pursuit of a master’s degree in Asian studies at the <a href="https://sfs.georgetown.edu/">Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University</a>. It also offers the unique opportunity to serve in the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service program. </p> <p>“Being selected to be a Pickering Fellow, in short, is a dream come true,” says Mitchell, a resident of Herndon, Virginia.</p> <p>“These amazing experiences as a Shansi Fellow inspired me to pursue the Pickering Fellowship as a means to continue my dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in international affairs.”</p> <p>Mitchell credits her 91ֱ�� experience—including the support of faculty mentors such as <a href="/node/42731">Candice Raynor</a> in <a href="/node/3431">Africana studies</a> and <a href="/node/25226">education studies</a>—with preparing her for both Shansi and Pickering. Her impressive tally of on-campus experiences includes serving as a student representative for the <a href="/node/410371">Presidential Initiative on Racial Equity and Diversity</a>; as vice chair of <a href="https://oberlinreview.org/23054/news/off-the-cuff-with-henry-hicks-and-jasmine-mitchell-senate-chairs/">student senate</a>; lead organizer for campus-wide co-curricular events such as Kumba Week, Kwanzaa Celebration, and <a href="/node/33116">Black History Month</a> programming; and, notably, as program assistant and resident assistant at <a href="/node/75981">Afrikan Heritage House</a>, the on-campus program house designated as a safe space for students of the African diaspora.</p> <p>“These experiences deepened my appreciation for the power of inclusive and diverse environments in shaping meaningful connections and driving positive change,” she says.</p> <p>“Living and working at the Afrikan Heritage House helped me solidify my commitment to pursuing a career in the Foreign Service, where I can continue to promote these values on a global scale.</p> <p>“Whether it’s through diplomatic negotiations, cultural exchanges, or policy initiatives, I want to actively work toward creating a more inclusive and cooperative international community,” Mitchell says. “I am deeply committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within the field, and the Pickering Fellowship serves as a powerful catalyst to help me achieve this vision.”</p> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Change Agent</h1> <p>tapplega — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 15:27:08 +0000</p> <span>Change Agent</span> <span><span>tapplega</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-09-19T11:27:08-04:00" title="Tuesday, September 19, 2023 - 11:27">Tue, 09/19/2023 - 11:27</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Jesse Kohler ’16 set foot in 91ֱ�� with a dream of baseball stardom. But like the unpredictable curveballs he threw from the mound, life directed him toward a path of public service, and the baseball enthusiast evolved into a beacon for community and national advocacy that took shape through his major in <a href="/node/3396">law and society</a>.</p> <p>Kohler hails from the outskirts of Philadelphia, where he was intimately exposed to the challenges many families face in raising children and making ends meet. Witnessing these difficulties up close fueled his desire to make a tangible impact and ultimately led him to pursue a career informed by trauma-informed care, a medical framework through which providers aim to connect with people who face negative consequences from past experiences. </p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Jesse Kohler pitched for three seasons on the 91ֱ�� baseball team.</figcaption> </figure> <p>91ֱ��’s culture of advocacy left an indelible mark on Kohler. “I came with cleats and gloves, thinking the field was where I’d shine,” he says. But the fertile sociopolitical climate on campus began to shape his aspirations. “Transitioning from my introductory <a href="/node/3366">psychology</a> classes to the depth of the law and society major broadened my horizons.”</p> <p>We caught up with Kohler to learn how his work at 91ֱ�� led to a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that employs scientific research to improve overall well-being among challenged populations.</p> <p><strong>What are you doing these days?</strong></p> <p>I’m the founder and president of The Change Campaign, a nonprofit birthed from my senior project at 91ֱ��. The campaign also works with government agencies and other organizations that have similar goals. Because of my work with The Change Campaign, I was selected as the executive director for the <a href="https://www.ctipp.org/">Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice</a> (CTIPP), a nationwide organization trying to create a resilient society by addressing the injustices that cause poor health and supporting the integration of resilience-building and healing activities.</p> <p>Apart from this, I’m on the board of the National Prevention Science Coalition to Improve Lives (NPSC) and an advisor for the Compassionate School Leadership Academy (CSLA) at Yale. My main aim is fostering a sustainable planet and a hopeful future. Early in my career, I’ve emphasized leadership that’s community-led, trauma-informed, and resilience-focused.</p> <p><strong>What led you down this career path?</strong></p> <p>My initial dream was to be a professional baseball player. My academic leanings were toward <a href="/node/3411">neuroscience</a>, <a href="/node/3366">psychology</a>, and <a href="/node/3391">political science</a>. However, my grades in Psych 100 challenged this path. Consequently, the law and society program at 91ֱ�� caught my attention, offering a blend of multiple disciplines and the chance of law school. My interest in the school-to-prison pipeline [the higher likelihood of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds being incarcerated] began here, and it led me to my work at an educational nonprofit. This, in turn, resulted in a master’s in educational leadership from Arcadia University and an influential internship with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.</p> <p><strong>What facets of your work are you most proud of?</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Kohler speaking at the Council for Tribal Employment Rights conference.</figcaption> </figure> <p>Supporting the development of CTIPP’s programs that have enabled some of those policy wins are some of the most rewarding experiences of my career thus far. I learned so much working alongside trauma-informed leaders throughout the United States to create programs that fill unmet needs in the field. I have been fortunate to have played a significant role in the development of CTIPP’s Community Advocacy Network (CTIPP CAN) to organize trauma-informed advocates across the country; PressOn envisions an infrastructure to connect and mobilize federal to state to local collaborations to propel the community-led, trauma-informed, prevention-oriented, resilience-focused, and healing-centered movement forward; and Ideas Lab, which promotes tools and resources to build the movement.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">How a senior project at 91ֱ�� became a life calling for Jesse Kohler.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-09-19T12:00:00Z">Tue, 09/19/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tyler Applegate</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After 91ֱ��</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2368">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2771">Athletics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2382">Community Service</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3897">Internship</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25286">Psychology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25396">Law and Society</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25416">Politics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/psychology" hreflang="und">Psychology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/law-and-society" hreflang="und">Law and Society</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pull-images field--type-list-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yes</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-cte-images field--type-list-string field--label-hidden field__item">Yes (Gallery Style)</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Jesse Kohler</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-32103" class="paragraph paragraph--type--pb-el-bq paragraph--view-mode--default"> <blockquote class="blockquote--quotemark" data-text-color-red data-text-size-giant> <p>91ֱ�� nurtured my curiosity, helping me understand the root causes of world problems. The interdisciplinary learning there became the foundation of my knowledge.”</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-27789" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <p><strong>How did 91ֱ�� equip you for your current roles?</strong></p> <p>The Change Campaign—my senior project—was a significant one. I had been working with [local nonprofit] <a href="https://www.oberlincommunityservices.org/">91ֱ�� Community Services</a> for a year and a half before the <a href="/winter-term">Winter Term</a> of my senior year. I was serving as a public health advocate when we wrote a grant to the Ohio Commission on Minority Health for $20,000 to fund a Text for Wellness program, making crisis counselors available for the state through text messages. I played a very minor role in that project but learned a ton. As I marinated on the experience, I realized that if 91ֱ�� students donated an average of $20, we could raise $60,000 of flexible funding for community services.</p> <p>91ֱ�� nurtured my curiosity, helping me understand the root causes of world problems. The interdisciplinary learning there became the foundation of my knowledge. Moreover, the deep introspection fostered at 91ֱ�� about my position and privilege has been invaluable in my professional journey.</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Kohler's first professional experience after college was with 12+, empowering underprivileged students to succeed after 12th grade.</figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>How did you secure your first post-college position?</strong></p> <p>I met Rob Reed, the executive deputy attorney general for the Pennsylvania Office of Public Engagement, during my fellowship with 12+ [a nonprofit aiming to bring educational equity to K-12 students in Philadelphia]. Rob asked if I wanted to meet with him, and I came prepared to talk all about The Change Campaign. I told him all about the project and what we hoped to accomplish, and when I was done, he told me about the project he was working on—the Pennsylvania Trauma-Informed Care Network—and asked if I wanted to help him with its development. This was my introduction to trauma-informed care, and it changed my entire life. In that position, I met leaders of CTIPP when it was first coming together, and this led to me becoming CTIPP’s first official intern. </p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Kohler was a member of the 2015 team that won the NCAC Championship. </figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>What’s your fondest memory of 91ֱ��? </strong></p> <p>The 2015 91ֱ�� baseball team won the North Coast Athletic Conference. We were underdogs and went on an incredible run at the end of the season. I didn’t play a lot that season. I got a concussion earlier in the year when an errant throw hit me in the head, but I found a role serving as a bullpen catcher and tried to be the best teammate I could. This humbling experience taught me more than my successes did. The night after we won the conference championship, we drove back from Chillicothe and stayed up the entire night celebrating until the sun came up!</p> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article> <h1>In the Path of Disaster</h1> <p>tapplega — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 20:01:31 +0000</p> <span>In the Path of Disaster</span> <span><span>tapplega</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-08-28T16:01:31-04:00" title="Monday, August 28, 2023 - 16:01">Mon, 08/28/2023 - 16:01</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>“My goals have always been to find how to pursue public service through science,” says Monica Dix ’20, whose 91ֱ�� majors in <a href="/node/3361">geology</a> and <a href="/node/3391">politics</a> set the stage for exactly such a career path.</p> <p>Dix’s journey has been marked by a keen interest in the intersections of natural disasters, governance, and societal resilience. Her quest to understand these complex dynamics led her to the doors of the Environmental Protection Agency in Chicago, where she’s been putting her degree to use on environmental enforcement issues under the Safe Drinking Water Act.</p> <p>Now she’s on the verge of being transported from her midwestern home to the verdant landscapes of New Zealand, a nation prone to natural disasters in part because of its position between two tectonic plates. In early 2024, she’ll begin studies related to New Zealand’s disaster preparedness at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch with support from a <a href="https://us.fulbrightonline.org/">Fulbright Study and Research Award</a>.</p> <p>We caught up with Dix to learn more about her work at the EPA and her upcoming journey.</p> <p><strong>What inspired you to apply for the Fulbright?</strong></p> <p>In wanting to pursue a degree in disaster risk and resilience, I found that a lot of U.S. programs approached the field through single disciplines that focus on security frameworks that prioritize the needs of those who hold power and resources over community needs. After receiving the <a href="/node/167421">Truman Scholarship in 2019</a> and <a href="/node/252671">Nexial Prize in 2020</a>, I knew I had the resources to support going abroad to study in an environment that was more interdisciplinary and focused on participatory governance and transforming communities and institutions in positive ways to prepare for and respond to disaster. </p> <p>Aotearoa [the Māori term for New Zealand] sits at the intersection of nearly every possible natural hazard and therefore has sophisticated disaster resilience strategies, while also politically valuing indigenous representation and community participation in governance in ways that are incredibly exciting to research.</p> <p>Researching the way Aotearoa navigates creating substantial new water regulations will give me a banquet of new ideas to bring to my current professional role and long-term goal of resilient water quality and quantity for Midwestern communities.</p> <p><strong>How did you land with the EPA?</strong></p> <p>After graduating from 91ֱ��, I received funding through the Truman Foundation’s Summer Institute Program to work with the U.S. Geological Survey’s Natural Hazards Mission Area on some of their national and international work related to disaster resilience, data, and mapping. I transitioned in August 2020 to my current role at the EPA. It’s a combination of field work investigations, oversight, and collaboration with our legal team to pursue cases under environmental laws, incorporating administration initiatives related to climate change adaptation and environmental justice. It means so much to me to work on these issues in a region that I care so deeply about, and I love traveling to communities all over the Great Lakes and taking time to appreciate our unique history—including bizarre roadside stops courtesy of Atlas Obscura and Roadside America!</p> <p>I’m also grateful to be an active member of my union at EPA, working to lobby for federal workers and environmental issues, and I also serve as the current chair on the Geological Society of America’s Geology and Public Policy Committee, developing policy position statements on key geological issues. </p> <p><strong>How did 91ֱ�� help shape your career path?</strong></p> <p>I’m so grateful to many mentors in both the geology and politics department and beyond, but especially [geology professor] <a href="/node/5781">Amanda Schmidt</a> for her support as a long-term research and academic mentor and Fulbright recipient herself. I’m grateful for the way that members of the 91ֱ�� community so unquestioningly supported my desire to pursue interdisciplinary work, and I have always been able to rely on them for support, advice, and letters of recommendation, even after graduating. </p> <p>In many ways, I think that taking a politics seminar titled Action in the Anthropocene during my second year was a major catalyst carving a path for understanding the way that politics and geology come together in contemplating disaster and climate resilience. I’m also really grateful for the kindness of folks in the <a href="/node/4526">Fellowships and Awards office</a> for helping me decide what scholarships best supported my graduate school ambitions and all their patience is guiding me and so many other students through application processes.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Monica Dix travels to a hub of natural calamity to probe its risks and resilience.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-08-28T12:00:00Z">Mon, 08/28/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tyler Applegate</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After 91ֱ��</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3831">Fulbright</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2368">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25366">Geosciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25416">Politics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/amanda-schmidt" hreflang="und">Amanda Schmidt</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/geosciences" hreflang="und">Geosciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/global-health" hreflang="und">Global Health</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Monica Dix</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-32101" class="paragraph paragraph--type--pb-el-bq paragraph--view-mode--default"> <blockquote class="blockquote--quotemark" data-text-color-red data-text-size-large> <p>I have 91ֱ�� to thank for immersing me in a community culture where I built the initiative to try new things, organize workshops, and bring people together. That skill set has helped me so much in post-grad life.”</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-27775" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <p><strong>What sparked your passion for cultural exchange?</strong></p> <p>Since leaving 91ֱ��, one of the ways I’ve continued to learn outside my professional work is through folk school education, even taking some of these skills and experiences back to my local community through workshops I organized with neighbors in Chicago. I’m really excited to transpose my experiences with midwestern folk schools into a new community and always enjoy seeing the way that the community-building practices reflect back on the holistic goals of my research. I absolutely have 91ֱ�� to thank for immersing me in a community culture where I built the initiative to try new things, organize workshops, and bring people together—I’m sure I’m not the only Obie who has found themselves in more organizations than they could count on one hand! But the flipside is that skill set has helped me so much in post-grad life.</p> <p><strong>What are you looking forward to most in your Fulbright experience?</strong></p> <p>One of the things I miss most about 91ֱ�� is the opportunity to continually learn and indulge my curiosity. I’m excited to have an entire year set aside to dig into the many questions that witnessing the state of disaster resilience and water regulations have raised for me, especially with the healthy work-life balance that Kiwis are known for.</p> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Teachable Moments</h1> <p>eburnett — Fri, 19 May 2023 16:31:55 +0000</p> <span>Teachable Moments</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-05-19T12:31:55-04:00" title="Friday, May 19, 2023 - 12:31">Fri, 05/19/2023 - 12:31</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Nicolas Zamora’s 91ֱ�� life became grounded in teaching and service. In four years as a Bonner Scholar with the <a href="/node/4416">Bonner Center for Community-Engaged Learning, Teaching, and Research</a>, he served as a literacy assistant, a tutoring leader for America Reads, and as a teacher of Spanish at the nearby Kendal retirement community.</p> <p>He even co-taught six semesters of an Experimental College (<a href="https://www.oberlin-exco.org/">ExCo</a>) course on astrology—beginning in his first year on campus.</p> <p>“Being a <a href="/node/55501">Bonner Scholar </a>helped me understand how to use my leadership skills and become aware of issues faced by my communities," says the fourth-year <a href="/node/3391">politics</a> major from Miami.</p> <p>Now Zamora is preparing for the next step in his journey: Over the next year, he will teach English language and lead a Model United Nations program at a high school in Madrid, Spain. It’s an opportunity made possible through a Fulbright Fellowship. </p> <p>“Being able to work in a school throughout my time in 91ֱ�� has given me the opportunity to help positively influence children’s minds and grow close with them,” he says. “There are children I have known for four years now and will have to say goodbye to, but I want to form that bond with the new students that I will be teaching.”</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Nicolas Zamora’s 91ֱ�� experience prepared him for the classrooms of Spain.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-05-22T12:00:00Z">Mon, 05/22/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tyler Applegate</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2381">Bonner Center</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25416">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=4821">Africana Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=4796">Hispanic Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/claire-solomon" hreflang="und">Claire Solomon ’98</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/africana-studies" hreflang="und">Africana Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/hispanic-studies" hreflang="und">Hispanic Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-flex-content field--type-entity-reference-revisions field--label-hidden vertical-spacing--basic field__items"> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-32088" class="paragraph paragraph--type--pb-el-bq paragraph--view-mode--default"> <blockquote class="blockquote--quotemark" data-text-color-red data-text-size-giant> <p>Spain called me, and I picked up the phone.”</p> </blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="field__item"> <div id="obj-27725" class="paragraph paragraph--type--para-el-copy paragraph--view-mode--default o-flex--basic-copy basic-copy"> <p>For Zamora, the process of applying for a Fulbright was instrumental in sorting out his aspirations.</p> <p>“I started to think about what I wanted to do after I graduate,” he says. “The main answer I had was that I wanted to live abroad and immerse myself in a new culture—experiencing intercultural exchange has become a main life goal of mine.” Zamora got his first taste of this goal when he studied away in Amsterdam during his junior year. A year later, he accepted his Fulbright award with an opportunity to once again venture across the pond and immerse himself in that European culture he fell in love with.</p> <p>As he puts it: “Spain called me, and I picked up the phone.”</p> <p>During his time at 91ֱ��, Zamora became involved with the <a href="/node/320546">Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion</a>, serving as a trainer for the Preventing and Responding to Sexual Misconduct (<a href="/node/127941">PRSM</a>) program and helping with mandatory Title IX training for students. He completed an internship in advocacy and public policy at the Opa-Locka Community Development Corporation in his hometown, where his work involved research and creation of resources to educate low-income citizens on how to advocate for themselves and their communities. This role deeply enriched his understanding of community needs and ignited a passion for using education as a tool for empowerment.</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Among Zamora's numerous 91ֱ�� mentors was Susan Pavlus (left), director of education outreach at the Bonner Center. (photo by Tanya Rosen-Jones '97)</figcaption> </figure> <p>Zamora doesn't have a clear vision of his career plans post-Fulbright, and he’s comfortable with the uncertainty. “I want to see if I enjoy teaching high-schoolers or if I want to pursue further education,” he says, adding that he’s interested in graduate studies in political communication or public policy. “But I hope to continue living in Europe and making new connections wherever I end up.”</p> <p>He is effusive in his thanks to the faculty and staff who supported him through his 91ֱ�� journey, among them professor <a href="/node/5856">Claire Solomon</a> in <a href="/node/3206">Hispanic studies</a>—one of Zamora’s two minors, along with <a href="/node/3431">Africana studies</a>—and the staff of the Bonner Center, most notably Director of Education Outreach Programs <a href="/node/31811">Susan Pavlus</a>.</p> <p>“I also want to thank my mom and all my friends,” he adds. “It takes a community, and they are mine.”</p> </div> </div> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Alli Roshni Wins Nexial Prize for 2023</h1> <p>eburnett — Tue, 16 May 2023 13:15:45 +0000</p> <span>Alli Roshni Wins Nexial Prize for 2023</span> <span><span>eburnett</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-05-16T09:15:45-04:00" title="Tuesday, May 16, 2023 - 09:15">Tue, 05/16/2023 - 09:15</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Alli Roshni, a fourth-year <a href="/node/3346">biology</a> and <a href="/node/3386">economics</a> major from Delhi, India, has been named the winner of 91ֱ��’s 2023 Nexial Prize, which is presented to an outstanding science student with aspirations for interdisciplinary research.</p> <p>The prize includes a $50,000 cash award to be used in any way the recipient wishes.</p> <p>Beginning this summer, Roshni will devote a year to <a href="/news/toiling-margins">working with patients, practitioners, researchers, and grassroots organizations</a> in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Indonesia in the battle against pediatric HIV and AIDS. The experience was made possible by a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship earned by Roshni this spring.</p> <p>“I have been passionate about social justice for as long as I can remember, but it was at 91ֱ�� that I learned how impossible it is to address the problems of our world without unwrapping the underlying socioeconomic and cultural contexts that have caused them,” Roshni wrote in an essay for the Nexial Prize. “I went to college to eventually become a doctor, and at 91ֱ�� I have marveled at the pinball machine-like nature of biological mechanisms, written about how pathogens hijack natural immune processes, and studied how air pollution enhances the antibiotic resistance of pneumonia bacteria.</p> <p>“But here I have also studied the joys and failures of society: translating a beloved short story from Hindi to English and writing about colonialism and race for literature and history courses; gaining intermediate fluency in Spanish; learning about music as a tool for resilience through the Gospel Choir and about the fallibility of human behavior in Social Psychology.”</p> <p>At 91ֱ��, Roshni completed research on the effects of epidemic obesity on heart disease; racial disparities in heart transplant and homeownership rates, remittance payments, and tuberculosis infections among migrant workers in India and the U.S.; environmentally derived cancers; measuring and anticipating climate patterns; learning outcomes among low-income students; and food insecurity. She volunteered at pediatric COVID-19 vaccination clinics, founded a campus organization dedicated to increasing student engagement with public health, and collaborated with the local health department to organize a sexual-health community clinic and mental health hotline, among numerous other initiatives.</p> <p>One of her mentors was Associate Professor of Biology <a href="/node/5206">Laura Romberg</a>.</p> <p>“Alli’s work in my upper-level class on bacterial pathogens demonstrated how skilled she is at understanding and designing health-related research,” says Romberg. “Her work also revealed that she is an excellent communicator, takes ownership of any project that she takes on, and is motivated to learn beyond what is required for school assignments. </p> <p>“Alli never lets personal or global obstacles stop her from reaching her goals. She’s intellectually talented and driven and is passionate about working to relieve public health inequities. I look forward to seeing what she will achieve in the future.”</p> <p>Roshni intends to pursue graduate studies in cardiovascular medicine and eyes a career with Médecins Sans Frontières or in medical research.</p> <p>Presented annually, the Nexial Prize honors a member of the graduating class whose science studies are complemented by a profound interest in the study of culture and who demonstrates excellence in the pursuit of interdisciplinary research. The prize was created by an alumnus to recognize the influence of 91ֱ��’s liberal arts education on his successful career as a scientist and manager and his intellectual and cultural growth. The winner is determined by a faculty panel.</p> <p>The first Nexial Prize was presented in 2017. Following is a complete list of past winners:</p> <p><a href="/news/college-awards-first-ever-nexial-prize">Adam Chazin-Gray ’17</a> (biology)</p> <p><a href="/news/emilie-lozier-18-wins-50000-science-prize">Emilie Lozier ’18</a> (chemistry and French)</p> <p><a href="/news/jane-sedlak-19-studies-chemistry-wildfire-smoke">Jane Sedlak ’19</a> (chemistry)</p> <p><a href="/news/monica-dix-receives-2020-nexial-prize">Monica Dix ’20</a> (geology and politics)</p> <p><a href="/news/janet-wu-21-earns-oberlins-nexial-prize-2021">Janet Wu ’21</a> (neuroscience, biology, and piano performance)</p> <p><a href="/news/marwan-ghanem-22-receives-nexial-prize">Marwan Ghanem ’22</a> (biology and neuroscience)</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">$50K award honors a graduating science student with a passion for interdisciplinary research.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-05-19T12:00:00Z">Fri, 05/19/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Communications Staff</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3830">Pre-Medicine</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25251">Biology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25416">Politics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/biology" hreflang="und">Biology</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>One Big Service-Oriented Family</h1> <p>tapplega — Thu, 27 Apr 2023 16:18:37 +0000</p> <span>One Big Service-Oriented Family</span> <span><span>tapplega</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-04-27T12:18:37-04:00" title="Thursday, April 27, 2023 - 12:18">Thu, 04/27/2023 - 12:18</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>91ֱ��’s <a href="/node/55501">Bonner Scholars</a> program has been connecting classrooms to communities since 1993. Operated by the <a href="/node/4416">Bonner Center for Community-Engaged Learning, Teaching, and Research</a> and supported by the national <a href="http://www.bonner.org/">Bonner Foundation</a>, the scholars program provides four-year community service scholarships to approximately 60 91ֱ�� students who are the first in their families to attend college or come from underrepresented populations. Bonner Scholars participate in intensive, developmental community-engagement experiences throughout their time at 91ֱ��.</p> <p>Each year, 15 incoming first-year students are selected as Bonner Scholars. Their experience is guided by designated student leaders, who facilitate community projects and engage with the entire campus about service opportunities. </p> <p>Bonner leader Wyae’ Stewart is a third-year <a href="/node/3391">politics</a> major with minors in <a href="/node/3396">law</a> and <a href="/node/3431">Africana studies</a>. She is completing her service learning with the federal math education program <a href="https://www.census.gov/library/stories.html">America Counts</a> and has previously tutored local schoolchildren as a <a href="/node/56206">Ninde Scholar</a>, worked in the office of Congresswoman Nikema Williams, and with the National Society of Leadership and Success. A native of Atlanta, Stewart is committed to service in education and housing, and she’s taking the first steps to reform education across the country.</p> <p>We connected with Stewart to learn more about her work as a Bonner leader and how she fosters service at 91ֱ��.</p> <p><strong>What does the Bonner Scholars Program mean to you?</strong></p> <p>The Bonner Scholar Program is a family that is not only committed to doing work with one another throughout our communities, but assisting each other on a daily basis to become better people for and with others.</p> <p><strong>How has your service with Bonner corresponded to social issues you care about?</strong></p> <p>Even though I am not working directly with educational policy at America Counts, I have interacted with students, teachers, and parents and gauged their views on how these children are being taught. In particular, I enjoy working closely with the kids, as I remember feeling how they felt when I was that age. Through this experience, I know that when I go into policy, there are aspects that I want to target to ensure that our students are safe in all aspects!</p> <p><strong>How has your service with Bonner influenced your time at 91ֱ��?</strong></p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Stewart repairs a bike wheel<br> at the Ohio City Bike Co-op in Cleveland.<br> (courtesy of Wyae' Stewart)</figcaption> </figure> <p>I came to 91ֱ�� blindly, without a visit, and with little knowledge of the school. As soon as I arrived, the Bonner program was extremely welcoming, which made finding a service site easier. Through my service, I have found mentors who continue to support me and guide me through my 91ֱ�� journey.</p> <p><strong>What have you learned about the 91ֱ�� community through your service?</strong></p> <p>I’ve learned that 91ֱ�� is a tight-knit community that is very engaged. I saw this more recently while working with my on-campus organization, ABUSUA [91ֱ��’s Black Student Union], where we partnered with the Black Student-Athlete Group to sponsor a block party to welcome community members to meet and interact with students in the college. Since I work in the school system and know many students and their parents, I used that connection to get the community involved. This event turned out to be a success because a lot of the students and their parents participated! We are excited to continue this partnership through the years. I know that my service with America Counts helped sponsor this connection, and I am forever grateful for that.</p> <p><strong>Can you share a favorite Bonner memory?</strong></p> <p>One of my most cherished Bonner memories was the All-Bonner Retreat! Though this is not a regular event, it was where I bonded with so many other Bonners who I never had the opportunity to interact with outside of All-Bonner meetings. I enjoyed playing our favorite games such as Mafia and singing karaoke.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">The Bonner Scholars Program eased Wyae’ Stewart’s transition to 91ֱ��. Now she’s easing the way for others.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-04-27T12:00:00Z">Thu, 04/27/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tyler Applegate</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2381">Bonner Center</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2382">Community Service</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25416">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25396">Law and Society</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=4821">Africana Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/law-and-society" hreflang="und">Law and Society</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/africana-studies" hreflang="und">Africana Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Wyae' Stewart</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>From Classroom to Community (and Back Again)</h1> <p>tapplega — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 19:30:06 +0000</p> <span>From Classroom to Community (and Back Again)</span> <span><span>tapplega</span></span> <span><time datetime="2023-04-18T15:30:06-04:00" title="Tuesday, April 18, 2023 - 15:30">Tue, 04/18/2023 - 15:30</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>91ֱ��’s <a href="/node/55501">Bonner Scholars</a> program has been connecting classrooms to communities for more than 30 years. Operated by the <a href="/node/4416">Bonner Center for Community-Engaged Learning, Teaching, and Research</a> and supported by the national <a href="http://www.bonner.org/">Bonner Foundation</a>, the scholars program provides four-year community service scholarships to approximately 60 91ֱ�� students who are the first in their families to attend college or come from underrepresented populations. Bonner Scholars participate in intensive, developmental community-engagement experiences throughout their time at 91ֱ��.</p> <p>Each year, approximately 15 incoming first-year students are selected as Bonner Scholars. Their experience is guided by designated student leaders, who lead community projects and engage with the entire campus community about service opportunities. Fourth-year Bonner leader Sadie Owens ’23 is a <a href="/node/3391">politics</a> and <a href="/node/3201">philosophy</a> major with a minor in <a href="/node/3171">writing and communication</a> and an integrative concentration in <a href="/node/25226">education studies</a>. She’s completing her Bonner experience as the leadership team’s coordinator for first-year Bonner Scholars. During her time as a Bonner Scholar, she has also served as a tutor to local high school students with the <a href="/node/56206">Ninde Scholars program</a>, as a creative writing mentor to incarcerated youth through <a href="/node/76356">91ֱ�� Writers in Residence</a>, and with the Stark County YMCA near her hometown of Canton, Ohio, where she’s been supporting children’s education since high school.</p> <p>We caught up with Owens to learn about her Bonner experience and how she fosters service at 91ֱ��. Learn more about getting involved in community-based initiatives at the <a href="/node/4416">Bonner Center website</a>. </p> <p><strong>Can you describe the Bonner Scholar program to someone who is unfamiliar?</strong></p> <p>The Bonner Scholars program is a collection of like-minded, service-oriented students with first-generation and/or low-income backgrounds coming together to make a difference in their community.</p> <p><strong>How has your service with Bonner corresponded to social issues you care about?</strong></p> <p>Access to education is the most important and closest issue to me. As a first-generation student, it has been a privilege to be able to work with other students applying to or entering college for the first time.</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Owens helps out during Bonner's First-Year Trip<br> Photo Credit: courtesy of Brittnei Sherrod</figcaption> </figure> <p><strong>How have your Bonner experiences related to your academic or professional interests?</strong></p> <p>My goal is to work with students and to uplift students of different backgrounds. Being able to do so in Bonner through my service, as well as participate in a community that has lifted me up in similar ways, has prepared me for a career in this field and modeled how I can make a difference.</p> <p><strong>What do you enjoy most about your Bonner experiences?</strong></p> <p>I enjoy how much of a tangible difference I am able to make. As a Bonner leader, I am given the opportunity to participate in planning, organizing, and shaping this program for the Bonners below me, and for future scholars to come. It’s so rewarding and truly special to be able to see my ideas come to life and to know that I am making a difference to people whom I share so much in common with. </p> <p><strong>What have you learned about the 91ֱ�� community through your service?</strong></p> <p>I’ve learned that the 91ֱ�� community is full of vastly different people, from different backgrounds and with different beliefs. The 91ֱ�� community is a rich and often unexplored tapestry of ideas, insights, and specialized knowledge that the college can truly benefit from, and that has definitely taught me so much.</p> <p><strong>What is unique to you about the Bonner Scholar community?</strong></p> <p>The Bonner Scholar community is unique, to me, in its ability to foster intimate conversations and relationships. In a place so fast-paced as 91ֱ��, I admire how slow-moving and close-knit the community feels.</p> <p><strong>Can you share a fond Bonner memory?</strong></p> <p>My favorite Bonner memory was the All-Bonner Retreat last fall. I remember sitting at a table with fellow Bonners and reflecting on our time at 91ֱ��, and realizing how much we had all learned and grown, and in particular the ways in which Bonner has allowed us to develop and become who we are.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">For Bonner Scholar Sadie Owens, the best lessons come from teaching others.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2023-04-20T12:00:00Z">Thu, 04/20/2023 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tyler Applegate</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2381">Bonner Center</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2382">Community Service</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25416">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25406">Philosophy</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25451">Writing and Communication</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/philosophy" hreflang="und">Philosophy</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/writing-and-communication" hreflang="und">Communication Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">courtesy of Sadie Owens</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Arman Luczkow Receives Fulbright to Taiwan</h1> <p>anagy — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 20:06:14 +0000</p> <span>Arman Luczkow Receives Fulbright to Taiwan</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-06-03T16:06:14-04:00" title="Friday, June 3, 2022 - 16:06">Fri, 06/03/2022 - 16:06</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Spring graduate Arman Luczkow will combine his interests in teaching and East Asian culture with a desire to improve his knowledge of Mandarin as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Taiwan. </p> <p>Luczkow will be placed in the school system in Chiayi, Taiwan, beginning this August. He plans to spend his Fulbright year exploring as much of Taiwan as possible and learning from his students. </p> <p>A <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics">politics</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/english">English</a> major with an <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/east-asian-studies">East Asian studies</a> minor and <a href="/international-affairs">international studies</a> concentration, Luczkow studied Mandarin at 91ֱ�� for one year, and he hopes to develop his language skills further in Taiwan. </p> <p>“My time at 91ֱ�� has always encouraged me to try many different things, and I can truly say I’ve been a part of all of the groups and projects that I have wanted to,” says Luczkow, who is a resident of Hastings on Hudson, New York. “In Taiwan, I’m hoping to embrace this same 91ֱ�� mentality of not shying away from new experiences, even if that can be a little uncomfortable at first.”</p> <p>In the summer before his sophomore year, Luczkow studied away at the National University of Singapore with a scholarship from the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There, he took courses on public health in Asia and economic development in East Asia. </p> <p>“My mother grew up in Singapore and my grandfather still lives there, so I stayed with him. After that trip and the courses I took there, I knew I wanted to live and learn in Asia again after graduation.”</p> <p>At 91ֱ��, Luczkow has been engaged in a variety of leadership and service roles: as a member of 91ֱ�� Student Senate, he was chair of student life, health and wellness, and disability equity working groups; he was a member of the Student Finance Committee; he was founder and co-chair of the Multiracial Students Association; he served as president and vice president of the 91ֱ�� College Fencing Team and led a fencing <a href="https://oberlinexco.org/">ExCo</a> for five semesters. He also held positions with the <em>91ֱ�� Review</em> student newspaper for two years.</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-left"> <figcaption>Luczkow was a teaching assistant for Professor of Writing and Communication Laurie McMillin. Photo by Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</figcaption> </figure> <p>In the classroom, Luczkow was a politics research assistant to Assistant Professor of Politics and comparative American studies <a href="/jenny-garcia">Jenny Garcia</a>, and he worked in the Writing and Speaking Center as a Course Writing Associate and Speaking Associate. In the 2019-2020 academic year, he was selected to the <a href="/career/set/obs">Ashby Business Scholars</a> cohort. </p> <p>Through all of these experiences, Luczkow says he has learned how to work in a community: “listening, sharing ideas, and valuing varied positionalities. I think these skills will be especially valuable.”</p> <p>Luczkow’s current post-graduate goals include law school or pursuing a master’s in international studies from an institution in Taiwan or China. </p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Luczkow has studied English, East Asian studies and international studies at 91ֱ��.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-06-07T12:00:00Z">Tue, 06/07/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Amanda Nagy</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2391">Languages & Literatures</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2377">Arts & Humanities</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25451">Writing and Communication</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=245971">International Affairs</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25416">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25336">East Asian Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25346">English</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-faculty field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/laurie-mcmillin" hreflang="und">Laurie Hovell McMillin</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/jenny-garcia" hreflang="und">Jenny Garcia</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/english" hreflang="und">English</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/east-asian-studies" hreflang="und">East Asian Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Arman Luczkow is a 2022 Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Taiwan.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Abijah Ahern '22 Receives Fulbright to Serbia</h1> <p>anagy — Thu, 19 May 2022 19:11:16 +0000</p> <span>Abijah Ahern '22 Receives Fulbright to Serbia</span> <span><span>anagy</span></span> <span><time datetime="2022-05-19T15:11:16-04:00" title="Thursday, May 19, 2022 - 15:11">Thu, 05/19/2022 - 15:11</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Spring graduate Abijah Ahern will explore the culture of the western Balkans through a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Serbia. </p> <p>The placement in Serbia is an extension of Ahern’s interests and experience in the Balkans region. In spring 2020, he spent a semester studying at the University of Zagreb in Croatia, where he took Croatian language classes and courses taught in English at the university in the politics department. He also completed a winter term project on the European Capital of Culture ceremony in Rijeka, Croatia. A <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history">history</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics">politics</a> major, his goal is to become fluent in the Serbian language and to gain a better understanding of Croatian, Bosnian, and Montenegrin languages. </p> <figure class="captioned-image"> <figcaption>Ahern meets with faculty mentor Steve Crowley, professor of politics (left). </figcaption> </figure> <p>A resident of Laramie, Wyoming, Ahern says he is looking forward to working with students and developing connections with colleagues at his host institution, and taking in the food and culture—by eating a lot of Čevapi (Balkan minced meat sausage) and watching "the eternal derby" between soccer teams Red Star Belgrade and Partizan Belgrade. “It has a reputation for being one of the most intense stadium atmospheres in all of sports, and it would be really exciting to experience.”</p> <p>As he prepares for the teaching aspect of the Fulbright, Ahern says he will have his favorite classes and professors from 91ֱ�� in mind. “In addition to providing me with theoretical and historical schema that will be extremely valuable when I go to Serbia, 91ֱ�� has also shown me what high quality and engaged teaching looks like.”</p> <p>Outside of academics, Ahern has hosted multiple radio shows and served as a past director of the news work group for 91ֱ�� College and Community radio station WOBC-FM.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">A history and politics major, Ahern hopes to become fluent in the languages of the western Balkans.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2022-05-19T12:00:00Z">Thu, 05/19/2022 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Amanda Nagy</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2363">Academics & Research</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25381">History</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25416">Politics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/history" hreflang="und">History</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Spring 2022 graduate Abijah Ahern will be placed in Serbia with a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones '97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>