Civic Engagement Ambassadors
Mission
- Student Life contributes to Tufts’ civic engagement mission by providing opportunities for students to learn and practice civic engagement outside of the classroom and by increasing the conditions that nurture civic engagement in the campus culture.
- The Student Life Civic Engagement Ambassador program holds events, shares resources, and creates opportunities for civic engagement. Ambassadors also advance a culture where skills essential for civic engagement—discussing current events analytically, interacting productively with people with whom we disagree, solution-based efforts, and strengthening the ideals and norms of inclusive democracy—are prized.
- As key peer leaders in this effort, the Student Life Civic Engagement Coordinators direct the ambassador program, in consultation with the Dean of Students Office. Currently, three Coordinators direct different parts of the organization such as Events, Training/Projects, and Operations, along with 3-4 Ambassadors.
Meet and Contact the Coordinators
From his hometown of Connecticut, Naheim is a senior at Tufts University studying psychology. On campus, he is a member of the Tufts men's track and field team and has collaborated with Tufts to promote civic engagement in various ways. Most recently, he helped coordinate a Tufts pre-orientation program named SHAPE, which focuses on encouraging first-year students to engage on campus and in their community in a non-partisan manner. To Naheim, the most important aspect of civic engagement is fostering a sense of community and belonging among students, empowering them to be active participants in their local communities.
Originally from Osceola, AR, Aviance is a senior at Tufts University studying community health and biotechnology on the pre-medical track. On campus, she is an Africana Center peer leader, Tisch scholar, and captain of the ENVY Step Team. To Aviance, the most important aspect of civic engagement is empowering communities to be self-sustaining and fight for their wants and needs.
How to Get Involved
Learn About Civic Engagement
- Engage in content posted by the Civic Engagement Ambassadors on the Student Life Instagram. We post every other Thursday!
- Attend events hosted by the Civic Engagement team. All events are posted to Jumbo Life and announced in the weekly Jumbo Digest.
- Go to lectures organized by Tisch College that feature diplomats, elected officials, media figures, leaders of businesses and non-profit organizations, and more.
- Follow news and issues that matter to you. There are several subscription-free, reputable news outlets including PBS, NPR, and Pro Publica. In addition, Tufts students get free subscriptions to several paid media outlets including Global Post, the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Washington Post. The Boston Globe offers deeply discounted subscriptions to college students. Tisch Library offers a host of other news resources as well.
Join Us In Fostering a Culture of Civic Engagement On Campus
- Join the Courageous Conversations series.
- Volunteer with community groups in our Tufts community and surrounding areas.
- Connect with us to share your ideas or seek collaboration.
- Attend our events to learn restorative practices that equip you with the skills to have productive conversations about tense topics.
- Keep an open mind and be inquisitive when civically engaging on campus.