THE COMMUNITY IS YOUR CLASSROOM
It’s not enough to sit in a classroom. To truly understand the challenges of the real world, you need first-hand experience. Connect your passion for action with your academic interests at Drew.
TOWN HALL PRESENTATIONS
At the culmination of their first year, Drew Action Scholars present and facilitate dialogue on some of the most important challenges of our time—criminal justice reform, educational equity, climate change, mental health, homelessness, and more!
See how the Action Scholars are exploring real-world problems and solutions every day in the classroom and through their volunteer work. Here’s a sampling of how Drew’s Action Scholars put their knowledge to work:
Drew Theatre and Dance Accessibility Project
ALYSSA SILEO C’22
An Action Scholar mentor, Civic Scholar, and Theatre Arts major, Alyssa created the Drew Theatre and Dance Accessibility Coordinators. Dedicated to creating access tools and practices for performances, the group includes people with disabilities and those striving to act in solidarity with this community.
Fair for Emerging Researchers
DAN BLUMENTHAL C’22 | CAROLINE TRAMONTANA C’22
Project since 2015 bringing 120 middle schooler children to campus to participate in a science fair and share their research with Drew student and faculty judges. Drew student volunteers work with the middle school students and their teachers during the year to teach them about science fairs and how to participate in them.
Debating for Democracy Letters to an Elected Official
JESSICA LISANTI C’24 | JACKSON LYDON C’24 | CHARLOTTE WELLS C’24
Their winning entry in the 2021 D4D Letters to an Elected Official Competition advocated for LGBTQ+ inclusive health and sexual education rules in New Jersey.
Girl’s Education in the Developing World
SARAH ESCAMILLA C’24 | ANNA MARINO C’24 | CHEKWUBE OKUNOWO C’24
Team Global Women’s Education is partnering with AGFAF, Star Education School in Kabul, and Drew’s own Center on Religion, Culture, Conflict to offer free tutoring for the TOEFL®, an exam that often poses a barrier for international students seeking to study in the United States. The project employs distance-learning tools to deliver one-to- one coaching, which in turn helps young women in Afghanistan achieve their educational aspirations.
Students 2 Science
AMELIA ABRUSCATO C’24 | HANNAH WINTER C’24 | ANGE WUNDERLE C’24
Three students teamed up to provide virtual educational resources for New Jersey middle and high school students through Students 2 Science as part of their volunteer service as Drew University Civic and Action Scholars. “I truly enjoyed being involved in this program,” said Wunderle. “It allowed all of us to explore the STEM field and present our knowledge to others.” Read their full story!