Tufts Blogs

Tisch Scholars is a unique leadership development program that combines academic coursework, community-based learning, and critical reflection. As a Scholar, I am able to acquire the knowledge, skills, and values needed to address pressing social issues and create meaningful change, all while building a supportive community that strengthens civic engagement at Tufts University and beyond. We earn academic credit through courses that connect directly to our fieldwork. In subsequent semesters, Scholars enroll in seminar courses designed to expand on the content of the first year, offering us opportunities to design and lead classroom discussions with our peers and program staff. Covering topics such as community organizing, community care, résumé-building, networking, and political engagement, the seminars give us tangible tools to succeed at Tufts, in our community placements, and in our future careers.

Last Friday was one of those days that blended classroom learning and community engagement, the kind of balance that makes being a Tisch Scholar so rewarding. My morning started with class from 9:00 to 11:30 AM, but instead of staying in the classroom, we took a field trip to the Somerville Community Corporation (SCC) in Union Square. SCC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to affordable housing, economic opportunity, and community empowerment. During our walking tour, we were able to see firsthand how development and community organizing work together to address issues of equity and inclusion in Somerville. It was a powerful reminder that the theories we discuss in class have direct, tangible impacts on people’s daily lives. After the tour, I headed toward Boston on the Green Line alongside another Tisch Scholar. I stopped at Dunkin’ for a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich and an iced chai, the perfect fuel for the rest of the afternoon.

By 12:30 PM, I was at my shift at the Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center (RIAC) in Roxbury, where I worked until 4:30 PM. RIAC is a nonprofit that supports refugees and immigrants through resettlement services, legal assistance, case management, and language access resources. Through my placement, I’ve been learning a great deal about the refugee resettlement process in the United States and the many legal and bureaucratic challenges that newcomers face. On this particular day, I helped a Spanish-speaking client navigate their USCIS account, read through a criminal case docket for one of our potential clients, and took completed applications to the post office to be mailed to USCIS. I also continued work on a Spanish-language resource directory. For the RMV section, I was drafting information on how to obtain a REAL ID, making sure to explain the requirements clearly so that Spanish-speaking clients can better understand the process. This work has pushed me to think about how access to accurate information, in one’s own language, is an essential part of equity. Beyond these tasks, I assisted with case management, which often involves problem-solving across legal, social, and logistical systems that can be overwhelming for clients.

By the end of the day, I was tired but felt deeply fulfilled. That’s what being a Tisch Scholar is all about: learning while serving, expanding my understanding of the world, and helping others in my community. Each week at RIAC teaches me something new. Not only about the immigration system and policy, but also about the resilience and determination of the people we serve. I’ve realized how much trust clients place in us, and how even small actions can make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.