Semester: Fall 2021

Jackie’s identity as a first-generation, low-income, Latinx student largely influences her advocacy and academic interests. Within UVA Global Development Studies she hopes to concentrate on imperialism in El Salvador and the displacement of people through immigration. Her sociological research interests include the effects of colorism/racism that exist in the immigration system. She is eyeing graduate school or law school, if not, Jackie sees herself working in the non-profit sector that uplifts marginalized individuals.

Fawzia is a student at the McIntire School of Commerce concentrating in IT with a track in Business Analytics. Her second major is in Global Studies with a concentration in Global Public Health. As a former research student in the USOAR program, Fawzia’s focus is on the Muslim student population at UVA and centering Muslim student voices through ethnographic research. Fawzia is also co-executive director of the Muslim Institute for Leadership and Empowerment (MSS), a Multicultural Student Services program focusing on leadership development. In Fawzia’s free time, she loves to cook/bake new recipes and go on food outings with her friends.

Carlehr Swanson is a Ph.D. student in Music at the University of Virginia. Her current research interests include gospel music, African American studies, women’s studies, and civic engagement. She founded “Music is Unity,” which takes music performances into the community. Additionally, Carlehr developed and organized a community drumline to bring quality music lessons to underprivileged children in Charlottesville. In 2017, she was 3rd runner-up in the Miss Virginia pageant.