In its third year, the Civic Scholars program recognizes, connects and develops civically-minded students whose work in the community is both deep and broad.
Throughout their time at Wake Forest, Civic Scholars participate in workshops while completing work across three key areas: academics, direct service, and leadership development. As they prepare to graduate, they work alongside a staff adviser from the OCCE to develop a capstone project. Leaders both on campus and in the community, Civic Scholars are connected with a diversity of causes and organizations.
ERIN ANDERSON
With a major in Economics, and a double minor in Art History and Sociology, Erin Anderson remained involved in the community throughout her undergraduate experience, even when she spent a semester abroad in London.
During her time abroad, Anderson had the opportunity to intern with a nonprofit focused on international development work where she researched women's rights in various regions across the world and developed educational activities that were then used for youth outreach programs. During her time on the Reynolda campus, Anderson was an active member of the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega where she was elected secretary for two semesters. Actively involved with the Office of Civic & Community Engagement, Anderson also served as both a participant member and student leader with Dash Corps and went on to complete the Summer Nonprofit Immersion Program (SNIP).
Anderson completed her capstone project through her SNIP internship at The Shalom Project, a local nonprofit that works to alleviate poverty in the community with a spirit of inclusion, compassion and justice. There, she had the responsibility of managing social media efforts and creating marketing strategies for its annual summer fundraiser.
Anderson’s community involvement while at Wake Forest has played a significant role in shaping her career interest. After graduation, she will remain in Winston-Salem and complete a year of service as a member of the Winston-Salem Community Action Coalition with the Boston Thurmond Community Network.
CAITLIN GRAHAM
A sociology major with minors in Psychology and American Ethnic Studies, Caitlin Graham has completed over 100 hours of service during her time at Wake Forest. As a member of Alphi Phi Omega, Wake Forest’s service fraternity, Graham has been actively involved with Campus Kitchen, Rise Against Hunger, SHARE and Wake Alternative Break.
Advocating for social justice issues has been a crucial element of Graham’s personal experience as a Wake Forest student.
Over the last four years, Graham has embedded herself in anti-racism work as a member of the Anti-Racism Coalition, and as a fellow for the Race, Inequality, and Policy Initiative - a multidisciplinary campus group created to support research, teaching and community engagement activities that address racial, ethnic and gender inequities. Through her work with both organizations, Graham has been able to address inequalities that have the potential to transform and benefit the greater Wake Forest community for years to come.
MAGGIE KUHN
A double major in Sociology and Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies, Maggie Kuhn has spent the last four years centering her community-engagement work around social inequities. As a student she has taken on a number of leadership roles with the OCCE, most notably as a student leader and participant coordinator for Students Promoting Action and Responsibility in the Community (S.P.A.R.C.) - a pre-orientation program that introduces incoming WFU students to service in the Winston-Salem community. Additionally, Kuhn has served as the student program coordinator in the Women's Center, was a member on the First-Year Orientation committee and was selected for the Summer Nonprofit Immersion Program where she served as the program management intern at Love Out Loud.
For her capstone project, Kuhn facilitated and maintined “End the Silence Wake Forest,” a blog that raises awareness about sexual violence at Wake Forest. Featuring anonymous submissions by Wake Forest students, either sharing their own experiences or words of support, Kuhn has revitalized the online community since taking it over in 2018. In her time as its Editor in Chief, she has updated the blog to feature additional resources for survivors of sexual violence to seek support, expanded its reach to include social media platforms and created additional student leadership positions to ensure its longevity within the Wake Forest Community for years to come .
Kuhn is hoping to pursue a career in people and culture operations, particularly in nonprofit or service-based work.
GRACE MACNEIL
Grace MacNeil has found that the connections made through her engagement with the Winston-Salem community were essential to her experience as a Wake Forest student. A double major in Psychology and Spanish, MacNeil also served as a member of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity where she sat on its Service Committee. Through her volunteer work, she worked as a tutor with Latino Community Services and taught dance lessons at Forsyth Court on a weekly basis.
Additionally, MacNeil was selected as the Large Events Coordinator for H.O.P.E.’s annual Kidfest carnival that welcomed children from throughout Winston-Salem to visit the Reynolda campus for a day of fun. In her role, she helped organize the day’s festivities including the petting zoo, bouncy house and more.
Prior to her senior year, MacNeil served as the Business Development and Marketing Intern for the Centers For Exceptional Children. There, she helped the team analyze its social media strategy, fulfilled donations for its Annual Golf Auction fundraising event and completed grant research for future funding.
MacNeil will remain in Winston-Salem following graduation to pursue her Masters of Management at Wake Forest.
JENNA MAYER
A double major in Politics & International Affairs and Elementary Education, Jenna Mayer has fostered and nurtured many connections within the Winston-Salem community throughout her four years as an undergraduate student. A member of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, Mayer was actively involved as both a participant and student leader in various efforts on campus including Student Government, Project Pumpkin, Wake the Vote and later Deacs Decide as well as the Episcopal Student Fellowship.
Over the last four years, Mayer has grown a deep affection towards the Winston-Salem community, volunteering with Latino Community Services, Action4Equity and Crosby Scholars.
While interning with Action4Equity, Mayer completed her Civic Scholars capstone project when she was tapped as the Project Manager for Forsyth Family Power. In that role, she helped create the initiative which is aimed at using the "Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child" model to empower families of students in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School District Title I schools to be stakeholders in education, while also advocating and supporting decisions that foster equity for all students. To help support the Forsyth Family Power initiative, Mayer applied and was selected as the lone WFU recipient of the OCCE's Youth Service America mini-grant.
After graduation, Mayer will be attending the London School of Economics & Political Science to pursue a Master of Science in Public Policy & Administration.
MUTONG ZHUO
A double major in Psychology in Accounting, Mutong Zhou has spent her time as a student at Wake Forest deeply rooted in service. As a sophomore, she founded Heart to Hands, a student organization that focuses on welcoming international students at Wake Forest to participate in service both on campus and in the greater Winston-Salem Community. For three years, she has presided over the organization serving as its President and encouraging her peers
In 2020, she was named a President’s Aide - a group of student leaders who serve as representatives of Wake Forest and the student body. Aides Meet regularly with President Nathan O. Hatch, providing an additional communication link between students and the administration. In addition, Zhou serves as a Residential Advisor and shift leader for Campus Kitchen.
After graduation, Zhou plans to attend graduate school.
Credits:
Wake Forest University