In the Spring of 2023, I was awarded the Social Impact fellowship by the Georgia Tech Institute of Leadership and Social Impact. I had the incredible opportunity to intern with Step Ahead Scholars, a non-profit organization with a mission of creating college-access equity by empowering under-resourced students to and through college.
I am an MSc. Student in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering and have always been interested in contributing to impacting the lives of many around me. The social impact fellowship was an excellent opportunity to get involved in life-changing causes around Atlanta while getting paid ;).
When I decided to apply for this fellowship, I was amazed at the ongoing impact of several organizations in the program. However, I became interested in Step Ahead Scholars because of their commitment to College Access Equity for underrepresented minorities, having previously benefitted from a similar organization. Thankfully, after interviews with the Executive director, Ms. Nealy, I was selected to join the team.
As an intern, my responsibilities involved administrative tasks such as scheduling, updating/preparing documentation, branding activities, working on special projects, and liaising with Strategic partners. This experience was an eye-opener for me, as I got to experience how non-profits operate and learn more about elements such as funding and legal that are pivotal to the successful running of a non-profit organization.
One of the highlights of my experience was working on a project with professors from Emory University, Georgia State University, and the University of New Mexico, where the Step Ahead Scholars team was responsible for the recruitment of students for a research program geared towards training diverse cohorts of students in Global policy and security studies. I look forward to the success of this fantastic project.
My time at Step Ahead Scholars was very impactful, despite it being a completely virtual experience due to mobility challenges from my end. I made a lot of connections and developed a strong relationship with Ms. Nealy, who offered guidance and support within and outside Step Ahead Scholars. I built experiences that have helped me grow and better understand some of the college equity challenges that exist today.
I am grateful to have been able to contribute my voice and skills to this team during this period. This was a great opportunity, and I hope more people also get to experience this.
The Institute for Leadership and Social Impact is an interdisciplinary institute that promotes servant leadership and social innovation that contribute to a more just, caring, and equitable world. Learn more about our Social Impact Fellows program.