As a Student Ambassador for the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, I have sought to shift the organizational culture of our team to mirror on of diversity, equity, inclusion while simultaneously enhancing our community ties to the Greater Pittsburgh area. In order to accomplish these goals, I created “Good Trouble”, a sub-committee of ambassadors meant to address systemic issues in the education system as well as issues that affected the Pittsburgh community as well.

When I took the Intro to Global Studies course during the pursuit of my Global Studies Certificate, my eyes were opened to the inequality in the healthcare system and problems of food insecurity that are experienced around the world. With this in mind, I collaborated with the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank to alleviate the burdens of food insecurity among impoverished groups that have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 Pandemic. The Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank is one of the leading organizations that actively works to eliminate food insecurity in Pittsburgh.

Though I had never orchestrated an event of this scale and magnitude before, gaining the support of my team as well as senior administrators at the University assured me that building a relationship with the Food Bank has been one of the best decisions. I have made Pittsburgh my home for the last four years and helping the Pittsburgh community is helping my own community.