Tufts Blogs

One of the cornerstones of my education at Tufts is the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life, a hub for students passionate about shaping a more just and democratic society. At the heart of Tisch is Tisch Scholars, a unique program for students to dive deep into community engagement and nonprofit work.

As a 2-3 year leadership program, Scholars pushes students to connect theory with practice and translate readings to meaningful action. Aside from a weekly seminar class, each student works 8 hours interning at a local organization, engaging in hands-on projects and experiential learning. Scholars is a great way to live what you preach and venture beyond Tufts’s campus.

In this blog, I had the pleasure of interviewing two of my closest friends about their experiences with the Tisch Scholars program and what excites them most about the journey ahead. Below, you’ll find their insights—along with my own.

Chinonyenim

• My name is Chinoyenim. I am studying community health on the pre-med track and I am from Houston, Texas.
• I applied to Tisch Scholars because I wanted to join the frontlines of serving overlooked and underserved communities. I wanted to learn how to take meaningful action, collaborate with others to address societal challenges, and deepen my understanding of effective civic engagement.
• My placement is at Link Health, specifically at the Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center in Dorchester, MA. Link Health is a nonprofit organization that connects underserved populations with resources to reduce economic barriers to positive health outcomes by assisting with enrollment in public benefit programs.
• So far, I have gained valuable knowledge about various public benefit programs, including Lifeline, HEAP, and the Medicare Savings Program – some of which I previously did not know existed. I have learned how to navigate their eligibility requirements and application processes, as well as effectively communicate these programs to patients, answer their questions, and guide them in accessing the resources they need.
• I am excited to continue engaging in meaningful conversations that challenge my thinking and inspire personal reflection. I look forward to using this space to learn more about myself and how I can be intentional about my growth as an individual over the next few years

Elaine

• My name is Elaine and I’m from Broomfield, CO. I’m majoring in sociology and political science.
• I applied to Tisch Scholars because I wanted to join something that would allow me to grow in the community as well as on my journey of civic engagement. I trusted Scholars would provide an environment where I would get to learn more about my role in pursuing social change while still asking the important questions that help me understand my evolving positionality. 
• I am working at the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinic (HIRC). The clinic is an extension of Harvard Law School in which law students work alongside clinical instructors to provide direct legal services to those seeking humanitarian protection, including asylum.
• I would say the Scholars program has strengthened my analytical skills, particularly in questioning why individuals choose to undertake a particular civic pursuit and how they go about it. At my placement, I asked myself why was it that I am drawn to supporting the immigrant diaspora. In establishing "why" I was participating in the clinic, I brought a new-found passion to my academic pursuits. 
• I am looking forward to establishing deeper connections with those in the communities I’m involved in—both at my placement and in our cohort. It’s a privilege to work with immigrants as a law intern with more resources at hand, but I still value being able to get to know the people I work with and learn more about their stories and experiences.

Teagan (Me)

• My name is Teagan. I am studying philosophy, religion, and civic studies. And I am from Medford, MA.
• I applied to the Tisch Scholars program because I’m passionate about strengthening the connection between Tufts University and its surrounding communities while also engaging in hands-on learning.
• My placement is at the Haley House in Boston working with various programs such as LiFT and Take Back the Kitchen (TBK). Haley House is a soup kitchen located in the South End that works to break down barriers and strengthen community through food. In the Roxbury office, I assist with the LiFT (Life Foundations Training) to provide support and resources for people transitioning to life back home after incarceration.
• So far, I have learned the importance of personal relationships in social justice work and community organizing.
• I'm excited to deepen my connections with my cohort and gain insight into what inspires their commitment to social justice work. Each of us comes from a unique background, bringing different experiences and perspectives to Scholars. In our class discussions, we create a rich tapestry of ideas and advocacy, learning from one another as we work toward meaningful change in our communities.

Applications for Tisch Scholars are open to freshmen and sophomores in their Spring semester. Find more info about this program here!