Third-year Action Scholar Allison Cannon has honed leadership, advocacy skills
October 2026 – Drew University’s Action Scholars program is designed to help students discover their purpose, deepen their connection to community, and develop the skills, relationships, and experiences that prepare them to make a meaningful impact in the world.
Through the program, run by Drew’s Center for Civic Engagement, undergraduates receive support and opportunities to engage in meaningful, hands-on experiences that connect classroom learning with the people and communities around them.
Open to students across all majors, the program combines scholarship support with 100 hours of experiential learning each year, creating space for students to explore their interests, build confidence, develop transferable skills, cultivate meaningful relationships, and learn alongside community partners who are leading change every day.
At its heart, Drew’s Action Scholars program is an investment in the whole student, cultivating purpose, experience, relationships, confidence, and a sense of responsibility to community while helping students build a future that is both personally meaningful and professionally purposeful.
Allison Cannon C’28, a psychology major and double minor in Spanish and law, justice, and society, discussed her experiences as an Action Scholar.
What have you done as part of the Action Scholars program?
I am a third year Action Scholar. During my first year, I hosted an informational town hall to spread awareness about a change in the policy on freedom of expression that occurred the summer before. This information session sparked a conversation with [Faculty Director of Civically Engaged Teaching & Learning, and Assistant Professor of Civic Engagement] Mecca Madyun and led to a different conversation about the lack of student representation at Drew as a whole when it comes to making decisions that affect student life. As a result, Mecca and I formed what is now known as the Action Scholar Advisory Committee, which is where I spent most of my Action Scholars time. The goal is to have a group of students who were action scholars participate as mentors and advocates for the first year cohort and to help guide them through their projects, their time as an action scholar, and as students at Drew.
I’ve also had a volunteer placement at Fox Trail Senior Living. I would go to participate in and lead activities with the consumers who lived there. It was a very special experience. I was able to connect with people that I hadn’t previously had any contact with. Working with people who have dementia can take a lot of patience and you turn into a special kind of person who can understand and advocate for a person and their needs.
How has the program added to your classroom experiences?
I am learning how to become a leader in a professional setting, as well as how to support and advocate for people who rely on me. This ability helps me in the classroom as well as outside of the classroom, in my daily life. I feel like I have a better understanding of how to work with people, the differences in the ways people react and think, and am able to problem solve more clearly.
How do you think your experiences will help as you consider post-Drew life?
I believe my time with the Action Scholars has shown me what I enjoy and excel in, and it makes me excited to start exploring my options after Drew. I am unsure of what I plan on doing, however, I know that whatever it may be, I will have this experience to guide me.
What have been your biggest takeaways from the program?
I will be forever grateful towards Mecca and the CCE for allowing the ASAC and I team to become what we are today. Without her and her wonderful outlook on life, I would not be involved with the Action Scholars like I am now, and I will cherish my leadership role.
