Vaughan Awarded Newman Fellowship
Shakera Vaughan (C’19) has been named a Newman Civic Fellow, which will grant her access to learning, networking and mentorship opportunities over the 2018-19 academic year. (Photo courtesy Shakera Vaughan)
March 19, 2018 鈥� Shakera Vaughan (C鈥�19) has received a , a national program for students who demonstrate meaningful engagement with their communities.
The fellowship is awarded by , a nonprofit that encourages college students to be involved in civic life.
That鈥檚 a description that fits Vaughan well: The government major and sociology minor has volunteered in local schools, works in a church nursery, and has interned for and at the offices of .
, Director of the , noticed Vaughan鈥檚 passion and civic-mindedness and encouraged the university to nominate her.
鈥淪hakera is attentive to the needs of those she serves and is well known across Georgetown University for her capacity to create and strengthen community by building bridges of understanding through dialogue and shared reflection,鈥� President John J. DeGioia wrote in her nomination citation.
Vaughan, a Richmond, Va. native, chose Georgetown largely due to the resources the university commits to helping students from all backgrounds thrive, like the and the .
鈥淕eorgetown not only gave me the financial support to come here, but also gave me the resources to stay here,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 knew the opportunities in the nation鈥檚 capital were endless and I wanted to try and take advantage of what is supposed to be the 鈥榖est four years of my life鈥欌��
Like many first-year students, Vaughan took some time to adjust to college life.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 quite feel like I belonged,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 had experienced imposter syndrome.鈥�
But before long, involvement in campus clubs 鈥� particularly 鈥� helped her feel more invested in her new home.
鈥淚 was given a strong sisterhood of such phenomenal and welcoming women,鈥� Vaughan said. 鈥淣ot only did I finally feel like I belonged, but I was a part of an organization who really set out to advocate for marginalized groups of people.鈥�
Grounded by her new community, Vaughan flourished on the Hilltop. She joined the and the Baker Scholars, one of Georgetown鈥檚 most prestigious undergraduate programs. She became vice president of GUWOC and helped organize the BRAVE Summit, which celebrates Black women and bring their voices to the forefront of conversations.
Vaughan took full advantage of the academic opportunities afforded her, enrolling in courses that helped her explore fascinating new ideas.
鈥淥ne lesson that I quickly realized was that my professors have so much wisdom to offer in and outside the classroom, and all you had to do was talk to them,鈥� she said. 鈥淐lasses like 鈥楨ducation/Politics/Policymaking,鈥� taught by , and 鈥楶ublic Housing: Theory and Practice,鈥� taught by , have pushed me to think outside of my normal realm.鈥�
Between classes and shifts at Vital Vittles or the student guard desk, the junior has found the time to volunteer at , the , and the .
The Newman Fellowship provides its fellows with a full academic year of learning opportunities, networking events, and mentoring to help them achieve their community-based goals. Vaughan hopes it will help her to come up with more systemic solutions to societal problems she sees at the street level.
鈥淚 am hoping to brainstorm and develop strategic solutions to the problems I truly care about, like equity in educational resources and affordable housing for low-income people,鈥� Vaughan said. 鈥淚 hope to truly take what I learn from their trainings and resources and apply it to my career, which will most likely be dedicated to public service.鈥�