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 the Coordinators
Gunnar Ivarsson
Gunnar Ivarsson (A’28) is a political science and civic studies student from Los Gatos, California. He is currently serving as your Education Committee Chair and a Class of 2028 Senator in the TCU Senate, and previously as Co-Chair of the Ethics & Inclusion Committee at the Tufts Daily. He is involved in ethics at the Leonard Carmichael Society (LCS). Gunnar values the importance of strong relationships between governance and its people, with continuous emphasis on meaningful dialogue, communication, and community that drive active citizenship.
Shayna Levy
Shayna Levy (she/her) is a rising sophomore from Austin, Texas. She intends to co-major in Political Science and Civic Studies and is thrilled to help coordinate civic engagement initiatives on campus this year. She has past experience in the gun violence prevention movement in Texas and in promoting social justice through the Reform Jewish Youth Movement. On campus, she is an Assistant News Editor at the Tufts Daily and Secretary on the Tufts Historical Review.
Grant Pinsley
Grant Pinsley (he/him) is a rising sophomore from Allentown, PA studying Political Science and Philosophy. Since 2016, he has been an energetic political activist. Most recently, in coming to Tufts, he founded the Boston area chapter of Voters of Tomorrow, a progressive Gen-Z led voter engagement organization, and organized a phone bank for Rumeysa Ozturk with Tufts Democrats. At Tufts, he involves himself in campus politics, music, and Mock Trial. He is excited to use his knowledge and skills to help shape civic engagement at Tufts as a Coordinator.
Lena Dodoo
Lena Dodoo (she/her) is an International Relations and Film and Media Studies student with a minor in Spanish language from Washington, D.C. She currently serves as President of the African Students Organization and Secretary of the Tufts Undergraduate Law Review and is also a Resident Assistant fostering inclusive campus communities. She has previously produced an award-nominated podcast episode at the Smithsonian Institution, interned at the office of Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren and the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs (YALI). Lena works to connect diverse perspectives and drive meaningful change through media, leadership, and civic engagement.
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.