Isis Duncan
Major: French Studies
“For me, the Browne Leadership Fellows Program is my opportunity to learn how to advocate for and become involved in the communities within and surrounding the city of Pittsburgh, as well as how to create effective policies and programs in order to do so. Although I make a point to inform myself about the issues, current events, and changes taking place within the communities I am a part of, I have yet to understand the finer details of human services and socioeconomic development. As someone who has benefited directly from the local organizations present in my neighborhood I seek to understand how they operate and engage with the people they service. In gaining the chance to work with a single community and learn how to create long term solutions for the issues they face, I hope to continue and ameliorate the legacy of providing for and safeguarding communities in need, not only within my career but in my life as a whole.”
‘Uthman Fadu
Major: Bio-Engineering / Premed
“My father always told me You are a child of God and you were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within you. I’m a very ambitious person, I hope to make a difference in the world someday as an advocate for underrepresented groups. Growing up in Pittsburgh has created a passion and desire for me to give back to the city. The Browne Leadership Fellows program will allow me give back to the city of Pittsburgh more specifically. It is an opportunity for me to make an impact in neighborhoods in need of help. I am excited to spend my summer helping neighborhoods with their struggles and understanding struggles that I haven’t yet witnessed. In doing so I am also excited to gain many skills as well as experiences to help me shine my light and make a difference in the world.”
Josephine Kelly Garcia
Major: Neuroscience
Minor: Spanish
Certificate: Conceptual Foundations of Medicine
“My whole life I’ve felt drawn to helping those in need. While pursuing a career in medicine, I’ve always wondered how I could mesh my passion for assisting people clinically and socially. When the Browne Leadership Fellows Program was presented to me, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to bridge this gap. It is a cascading opportunity which will provide me with the skills to improve quality of life globally, first starting in my own community of Pittsburgh. I am so looking forward to learning from social leaders about how to more effectively improve society & be an advocate, while working alongside others who share the same drive as myself.”
Rachael King
Major: Natural Sciences
Minors: Sociology, Social work
Certificate: Conceptual Foundations of Medicine
"My family is from Pittsburgh. This will provide me with the opportunity to give back to this community in a way that is sustainable and nuanced by truly understanding the needs of the communities we will serve. Allowing me to connect with this city in a way that I never have before. Gaining a new appreciation of this city that I have visited ever since I was a child."
Joshua Lee
Major: Biological Sciences and Economics
Minor: Chemistry
“One of the biggest challenges of moving to a large city is not feeling like a small fish in a big pond. The Pittsburgh community welcomed me with open arms, and I believe that is what makes this city so beautiful. As a Browne Leadership Fellow, I can provide services to and have a direct impact on the community that gave me so much. I am eager to get involved in the Pittsburgh community and to advocate for significant social issues. I want to learn more about the culture that is fostered by the community I can call home. The Browne Leadership Fellows Program provides that opportunity.”
Carolyn Maxwell
Major: Biology Minor: Chemistry Certificate: Conceptual Foundations of Medicine
“When deciding to attend Pitt I was really drawn by how the university wants their students to not just attend a school in Pittsburgh but become a part of the Pittsburgh community. I was compelled to apply to the Browne Leadership Fellowship because of the unique in the opportunity to become a part of a Pittsburgh community and understand their struggles as well as their triumphs. I think the most valuable part of the fellowship is learning how to implement long term change in a community. Long term change is vital because I will only be a part of this community for one summer, but the opportunities we will provide will hopefully expand past to my time there. This expansion occurs by community members learning how to advocate for themselves in order to mitigate the socioeconomic barriers they face every day.”
Ashley Lynn Priore
Major: English and Business with a focus on political science, legal studies, and psychology
“It is a special opportunity to be able to make an impact in my local community. I want to participate in the Browne Leadership Fellows program because this is a rare opportunity to learn from others who are passionate about this type of work, gain the skills I need to better serve Pittsburgh, and start on a journey of becoming a civic leader. Chess is all about strategy, and I know the Browne Leadership Fellows program is a key step in the future of civic engagement.”
Alexia Richie
Major: Neuroscience and Spanish (pre-med)
Minors: Sociology and Chemistry and a certificate in Latin American Studies.
“I believe that a community’s strength can be measured by its commitment to bettering the circumstances of those who need the most. As an aspiring physician interested in bringing healthcare to underserved populations, the Browne Fellowship will allow me to make a meaningful contribution to the Pittsburgh community while gaining valuable civic leadership experience. One of my favorite parts of being a Pitt student is having an abundance of opportunities to engage with people of diverse beliefs and backgrounds; there is something to be learned from every unique interaction and these experiences will shape our future actions for the benefit of the community. I am honored and excited for the opportunity to understand and address issues that create socioeconomic division in today’s society through the Browne Leadership Fellowship.”
Jess Scott
Major: Political Science and Economics
Minor: Administration of Justice, History
“I want to act on behalf of communities to engage, develop and help them reach their goals. As a Browne Leadership Fellow, I believe I will be able to impact communities that I have not been able to interact with much myself. I acknowledge that I am from an affluent suburb, receiving a world class education and am experiencing opportunities that some can only dream of. I want to engage myself within these communities to learn and grow but also bring my ideas and experiences to help them as well. Advocacy for others has been a lifelong passion of mine. I want to engage in a community setting and bring my skills to the table while also developing new skills to last me long after this experience is over. I want to further the lives of others and I strongly believe that the Brown Leadership Fellows Program will provide me the best opportunity for me to do so within the Pittsburgh community.”
Rebecca Sylvernale
Major: English Writing; Minors: Spanish, Sociology
“For me, to be a part of the Browne Leadership Fellows means the ability to have a direct impact on local communities. Through my courses at Pitt, my work in public libraries, and my experience abroad, I have witnessed the necessity for social projects and programs. I hope to obtain a master's degree in social work to someday shape local policy. Not only do I believe my experience as a Browne Leadership Fellow will provide me with a better understanding of my own interests within the realm of social work, but I also believe I will be better equipped to work towards creating and shaping policies that are most beneficial for my future community.”