By Briahnna Brown
The George Washington University has announced the five graduating seniors selected for the 2019-2021 Presidential Fellowship cohort.
Renea Williams, Jacqueline Banos, Rebecca Bizzarri, Halea Kerr-Layton and Carolina Fuentes will participate in the two-year program while earning a master’s degree from GW and earning a grant.
Through an administrative department placement, the cohort also will gain professional experience at a university school or department. The students in this year’s cohort each plan to effect change in the world while giving back to the university and furthering their education at GW.
The selection process for each cohort of fellows is highly competitive as well as collaborative and includes a broad cross section of reviewers and interviewers including fellowship alumni, faculty, staff and administrators.
This is the second fellowship cohort selected under GW President Thomas LeBlanc. The fellows will continue the legacy of the more than 155 fellowship alumni who came before them.
“Our Presidential Fellows are terrific GW ambassadors, contributing their academic and professional talents to strengthen the university,” Dr. LeBlanc said. “I am excited to see how our 2019-2021 cohort continues to build on the legacy of this program.”
The Presidential Fellowship program selects high-achieving GW seniors and allows them to serve as ambassadors for the GW community through academic, career and professional development. During the program, fellows actively engage in service and university events and committees while developing relationships with the GW and D.C. communities.
“The current fellows, advising team and presidential fellows alumni are excited to welcome this new cohort,” said Marva Gumbs Jennings, program director for the Presidential Fellowship. “We anticipate the impact of their ideas and contributions, particularly in a year where we will be celebrating 30 successful years, as we continue to build on the program."
Take a look at how the members of the cohort plan to make the most of the Presidential Fellowship:
Renea Williams
B.A. International Affairs, Elliott School of International Affairs
- Hometown:
I am from Queens, New York City, and I am of Indo-Caribbean heritage. - Pursuing:
Master of Arts, international development studies, Elliott School - What is your dream job?
My dream job is one in which I am able to help connect different people and cultures, in order to promote growth and development for all—not just those labeled as progressing or targets of development. I hope to work for a South American-based NGO that focuses on youth education development, followed by a position in the Peace Corps through the Inter-America & Pacific Regional Office. Ultimately, I would love the opportunity to pursue a career in the United Nations as a human rights officer, or within the U.N. Environment Programme. - What are you hoping to gain from the fellowship?
I am looking forward to strengthening my ties with, and commitment to, the university through my placement. This hands-on impact will further engage student communities that I have been fortunate enough to be a part of. I am humbled to serve as a student ambassador that upholds the university's impressive reputation and hope to leave my mark by taking initiative in my studies and my professional placement through the Presidential Fellowship program. - Is there a moment in your GW experience that you think has significantly impacted you?
My leadership experience through Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc., a multicultural Greek organization, has been an integral part of me becoming the woman I am today. My leadership skills and dedication to community service flourished through my eight executive board positions, particularly as philanthropy chair in 2016. I took this position because of my passion for the organization’s mission to combat violence against women. In my first semester, I launched an awareness event in collaboration with the Take Back the Night Foundation, which was open to the GW community. This would not have been possible without the support of the multicultural student community and the inspiring women I know as my sisters.
Jacqueline Baños
B.S. Public Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health
- Hometown:
I am from Smyrna, Ga., and I am of Mexican heritage. - Pursuing:
Master of Public Health, health policy, Milken Institute School of Public Health - What is your dream job? Why?
I love public health so much. It’s hard for me to say exactly where I see myself professionally, mostly because health policy opens so many doors for improving people’s lives. I believe that every policy and piece of legislation affects our health—whether it’s business related or directly involves health-service delivery. I think it is important for our policymakers to understand that. I hope to be in a position where I can help write, improve and suggest policy that advocates for people who are ignored in policy discussions and by institutions. It’s long and hard work, but I think there’s so much positive and lasting change that can come out of health-centered policies. - What are you hoping to gain from the fellowship?
As a fellow, I want to become a well-rounded professional and student. I think the fellowship will help me enhance how I learn from every experience and interaction. I am excited to get out of my comfort zone and see my ideas come to life. My undergraduate years at GW have been so incredible, and I am excited to work with building a strong GW community where people are proud to call this campus their home. I want everyone who comes through GW – from just a visit to an entire academic career – to feel like they belong. - Is there a moment in your GW experience that you think has significantly impacted you?
I love to dance, and I think joining GW Fuego (GW’s Latin Dance Team) really contributed to an incredible experience. From the moment I joined, I felt welcomed and appreciated. I was able to contribute my perspective of Latinx culture and experience others’ interpretation of Latinx culture. I enjoyed being able to share the music, dance and sometimes history of Latinx culture to people who might not be familiar with it. It was my home away from home, and the family I needed.
Rebecca Bizzarri
B.A. International Affairs, Elliott School of International Affairs
- Hometown:
I am from Salisbury, Md. - Pursuing:
Master of Public Administration, Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration - What is your dream job? Why?
I aspire to spend my life in the field of public service, focusing on creating positive and sustainable change for women and other marginalized communities. I want to dedicate my career to serving people who have faced hardship at the expense of the systems in place that are designed to hold them back and restrict their voice. If I could spend my life uplifting people who feel forgotten or alone, in whatever capacity that looks like, I would be incredibly content. - What are you hoping to gain from the fellowship?
I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue to serve my community. I have been so fortunate to find a family and a home at GW through different organizations and people who have invested in me, and I strive to take every opportunity to return that investment. GW has taught me so much about myself and how to interact with people all over the world, and I am looking forward to continuing to learn from Presidential Fellows past, present and future. - Is there a moment in your GW experience that you think has significantly impacted you?
My years as a resident advisor and my time as chief of staff of the Student Association have most profoundly impacted me. Not only did these positions allow me to find my best friends at GW—who have filled my life with laughter and countless memories—but these positions also have challenged me in ways I never expected. Through both of these roles, I was faced with obstacles that have pushed me to grow immensely and develop a sense of grit that I believe has been instrumental in my success and personal development. The people who I came in contact with through these positions have touched my life in many unforgettable ways, and I am a much better and more thoughtful person now for that.
Halea Kerr-Layton
B.A. International Affairs, Elliott School of International Affairs, and B.A. Spanish and Latin American Languages, Literatures and Cultures, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
- Hometown:
I am from Boulder, Colo. - Pursuing:
Master of Arts, global communication, Elliott School of International Affairs and School of Media and Public Affairs - What is your dream job? Why?
I don't have a particular dream job. I'm really excited about working in many different industries. I hope to have a career that is involved in a diverse set of issues and works across industries and sectors to effect change. - What are you hoping to gain from the fellowship?
Through the presidential fellowship, I am hoping to be able to cultivate new professional skills and a deeper self-awareness of my strengths and weaknesses. I am excited about being able to concurrently pursue a master’s degree while learning outside of the classroom in the professional working world. - Is there a moment in your GW experience that you think has significantly impacted you?
My undergraduate experience at GW has been filled with impactful moments, individuals and experiences so it is hard to pinpoint just one. I feel very fortunate to have been able to meet so many amazing and uplifting individuals through my time in the direct GW community—and through the opportunities afforded to me by being a part of the GW community such as my two study abroad experiences.
Carolina Fuentes
B.A. International Affairs, Elliott School of International Affairs
- Hometown:
I am from Long Island, N.Y., and I was born in El Salvador. - Pursuing:
Master of Arts, anthropology, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences - What is your dream job? Why?
For now, my dream job consists of conducting any type of research in or about Latin America. - What are you hoping to gain from the fellowship?
From this opportunity, I hope to grow professionally and academically. I want to develop meaningful relationships with my mentors, professors and, peers. I am excited and ready to partake in community service and university-related events!
Is there a moment in your GW experience that you think has significantly impacted you?
A big part of my GW experience was studying abroad in Spain. It was the first time that I was in a different country by myself. This opportunity was life-changing as I was able to explore and define my Salvadoran-American identity outside of the United States. Coming back to GW, I began embracing my culture even more while also registering for classes that expanded my knowledge of Latino migrations.
