SHAPE: Students Heightening Actionable Political Engagement
SHAPE is a student-led opportunity to step into your role as a civically engaged person, explore Boston, and join a community built on lasting friendships.
About
SHAPE is a pre-orientation program at Tufts that focuses on the big-picture policy impacts of local civic action. Each year, SHAPE encourages students to think about how they can engage with our democratic systems to bring about positive political change. Over the course of the program, you'll work on a hands-on project with real community impact, explore Boston neighborhoods you didn't know existed, and find your people, all in the first week.
No prior experience with politics, activism, or civic engagement required. SHAPE welcomes students of every major, background, identity, and political persuasion. Political activists, engineers, artists, pre-meds, undecideds — civic engagement has always been part of what it means to be a Jumbo, and SHAPE is where that starts.
Contact Us
SHAPE
shape@tufts.edu | 617-627-3158 | @tuftsshape
I met my best friends through SHAPE! It was amazing getting to know other civically engaged Tufts students and being part of a small program was very beneficial.
Dana Zucker, Class of 2027
I quickly connected with my peers in SHAPE due to the political and civic focus, so I shared interests and passions with my peers. I can picture the people I met in SHAPE as lifelong friends.
Hailey Renick, Class of 2029
I liked that SHAPE connected political action to current issues. That awareness of policy and political systems are key parts of making a difference.
Janessa Donovan, Class of 2029
Canvassing with SHAPE pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me confident in my own voice. Getting involved and taking initiative prior to the start of the semester made me feel more comfortable when stepping into leadership roles and into classes.
Hailey Renick, Class of 2029
SHAPE really helped me get comfortable with public transportation and getting around the local areas, which was really helpful during the first few weeks of the first semester.
Alessa Cooney, Class of 2029
I loved getting to see parts of the city I hadn’t been familiar with before coming to Tufts. The opportunity to both engage with different communities through the project as well as getting to have fun exploring areas I wouldn’t have seen otherwise was a highlight of the program.
Lucy Morisse-Corsetti, Class of 2027
Typical Day
The SHAPE schedule is packed with opportunities to have fun and make a difference.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. | Breakfast with peer leaders |
| 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. | Community canvassing in Boston neighborhoods |
| 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. | Boston scavenger hunt |
| 12:15 – 1:15 p.m. | Free time, explore the city, and travel back to campus |
| 1:15 – 2:15 p.m. | Lunch and debrief on campus |
| 2:15 – 3:45 p.m. | Democracy discussion and group activity |
| 3:45 – 5:30 p.m. | Panel with guest speakers and Tufts alumni |
| 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. | Collab social with SQUAD |
| 7:00 – 8:45 p.m. | Dinner and maze game |
| 8:45 – 10:15 p.m. | SHAPE Jeopardy |
Past SHAPE Projects
Every year, SHAPE participants take on a real civic issue and make a measurable difference in the communities around Tufts. Here's a look at what past cohorts have accomplished:
2025: Housing Justice
- 647 surveys completed gathering community data on landlords, housing issues, and rising rent
- 1,000+ flyers distributed letting Boston-area renters know about the elimination of broker fees in Massachusetts — over half sparking direct conversations with community members
- Coordinators: Manu Narasimhan and Isabela Silvares-Lima
2024: Public Transit
- 500+ surveys completed gathering community input on the MBTA
- 100+ signatures collected for a PLA petition
- Coordinators: Carly Rothschild and Naheim Washington
2023: Digital Equity
- $28,440 distributed to Boston residents for internet access through the Affordable Connectivity Program
- 35+ laptops distributed to low-income residents at community health centers
- Hundreds of Somerville residents surveyed to inform the City's Digital Equity Plan
- Coordinators: Sophia Chung and Naheim Washington
Check Out SHAPE In the News
- Tufts Daily: SHAPE, A New Pre-orientation Program, to Focus on Local Civic Engagement
- Tufts Daily: SHAPE Pre-orientation Program Promotes Civic Engagement, Community Involvement
- LinkHealth: Enroll Boston!
- Jumbo Talk Blog: My Time As a Pre-O Peer Leader
People
Reece Christian
Pre-Orientation Coordinator
Reece (he/him, Class of 2027) is a rising senior from Denver, Colorado, studying international relations and economics. On campus he is involved with Model UN, TedX Tufts, and DJing for WMFO, Tufts' own freeform radio station.
Hansini Gundavarapu
Pre-Orientation Coordinator
Hansini (she/her, Class of 2028) is from Walpole, Massachusetts and is studying Data Science and Quantitative Economics at Tufts. On campus, she is involved in TEDxTufts as a speaker coach, Jumbocode, Tufts Association of South Asians, and Tufts Bhangra.
Kevin Kraft
Associate Dean of Students
Kevin Kraft is Associate Dean of Students. As a Student Life senior leader, Kevin is responsible for supervising departments and leading programs and initiatives designed to help students develop into engaged, ethical, and community-oriented leaders. From his 15 years’ experience working with students at all points in their personal development journey, Kevin has developed a philosophy of holistic student development and an appreciation for the transformative role that mentorship can have in someone’s life. Kevin has researched college student civic engagement and college student activism. Kevin co-authored a book chapter on the application of free speech to the college environment and has presented at national meetings on related topics. Kevin is thrilled to be advising SHAPE and looking forward to welcoming incoming students!
Christina Behr-Kranefeld
Bush, Tilton, Lewis Residential Life Coordinator
Christina is from Long Beach Island, NJ and has her undergraduate degree in Psychology and masters degree in Mental Health Counseling. While receiving her education, she worked within the universities counseling department and was an active contributor to any wellness and student life program and outreach. After graduating, she supported individuals in housing transition and life changes as a mental health counselor. While at Tufts, she has worked alongside OEO, Student Support, and the Wellness department to learn more about ways to support students in the residential communities. In her free time, she enjoys taking long walks, baking oatmeal cookies, reading thriller books, and exploring new restaurants. Her favorite thing about Tufts is how close you are to everything; the city, beach, mountains–you are able to get a little bit of everything. Christina has two dogs, Chaplin and Teddy who live on campus and love meeting new people. Some other fun facts about Christina are that she was an ocean lifeguard for 8 years, an NCAA champion swimmer, she attended a National Sumo Wrestler Competition in Japan, and she really loves cats but they do not reciprocate the same love to her.
Get In Touch
SHAPE
shape@tufts.edu | 617-627-3158 | @tuftsshape | Dowling Hall, Suite 701