Congrats to the URGE Class of 2014!
Ashley Brink – Wichita State University
What did you study in college?
I majored in Sociology, Psychology, Women’s Studies, and Criminal Justice
What did you enjoy the most about your experience as a student activist?
I enjoyed the opportunities it presented me with. I was able to meet and network with so many people who care about the same issues I do which was sometimes hard due to the climate surrounding reproductive justice here in Wichita, KS.
How did URGE impact your experience in college?
URGE gave me the training and tools I needed to develop myself and others as activists. I learned how to discuss reproductive justice issues and was able to feel more comfortable with my ability to organize and make a difference on my campus and in my community.
Where are you heading next?
I will continue working as a Crisis Counselor at the Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center and will begin a full-time, permanent position with South Wind Women’s Center after graduation.
What’s one piece of advice you would leave behind for future student activists?
Take advantage of every opportunity you are presented with, you will regret the opportunities you didn’t take more often than the ones you did take! Network with as many people as possible and always be willing to learn more.
Kathleen Burns – University of Texas, El Paso
What did you study in college?
Social work
What did you enjoy the most about your experience as a student activist?
Meeting so many beautiful people who are passionate about advocating for equality.
How did URGE impact your experience in college?
URGE made me realize how much change is possible, even as small as I feel, I am powerful and I do have a voice.
Where are you heading next?
I start my masters in social work this June, 1 year til I’m finished!
What’s one piece of advice you would leave behind for future student activists?
One piece of advice: you’ve had the power all along, it’s just taking that first step forward!
Kaity Chewning – Florida State University
What did you study in college?
I studied Social Work, with minors in English and Communications
What did you enjoy the most about your experience as a student activist?
I’d definitely say meeting people with passion. To see other people’s passion come alive and produce tangible results—that is truly an inspiring and motivating thing. The student activists I’m surrounded by at Florida State are some of the best young activists in the country and I’m so humbled and grateful for their presence at my school.
How did URGE impact your experience in college?
URGE’s impact on my college experience was immeasurable. It taught me the importance of connection. The people I’ve met and their stories that I have heard will always stick with me. The work I see URGE chapters doing around the country continually motivates and inspires me. It also taught me that activism doesn’t die when you graduate, and I’ll be forever grateful for the encouragement and assistance from the staff at URGE.
Where are you heading next?
I’ll be doing an internship abroad for the summer at Positive East, a community-based HIV charity in London. Then I’m taking a semester off and plan to start my Masters of Social Work with an emphasis in Social Policy and Administration up in the spring back at FSU.
What’s one piece of advice you would leave behind for future student activists?
Passion is contagious. Don’t let the small things ruin yours, and always try to help others live theirs. It will get hard, and when you feel like giving up reach out for help. You are never alone.
Summer Dowd-Lukesh – Scripps College
What did you study in college?
I got two degrees, one in French Studies and the other in Political Science/International Relations
What did you enjoy the most about your experience as a student activist?
I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with other young activists and being in touch with passionate young people all over the country. Seeing their work was inspiring and has taught me so much about work ethic, determination, and standing up for me.
How did URGE impact your experience in college?
URGE gave me a different perspective in all of my classes and, suddenly, I became the student who my professors and peers referred to for news and soundbites about reproductive justice in the US. I read so much more about feminism and reproductive choice now than I ever did before and my politics have changed for the better.
Where are you heading next?
I am going to be teaching 1st grade at a small elementary school in Harlem through Teach for America. I am excited about the move and ready to be a city girl! I also know that my updated gender politics can come in handy when having honest discussions with my young students who are asking important questions all the time and soaking up so much of the world around them.
What’s one piece of advice you would leave behind for future student activists?
I would advise future student activists to be honest with themselves and their friends and family about your passion and your work. Don’t feel like you have to hide and important part of who you are for fear of retribution or mockery. Take yourself seriously and others will too!
Heather Fuchs – Mills College
What did you study in college?
I double majored in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies and Political, Legal and Economic Analysis with a Legal Emphasis.
What did you enjoy the most about your experience as a student activist?
I was an activist before I even realized it. In fact, it was most likely my activism that led me to the intersections in my studies of gender and law. So my brain (academics) owes my heart (passion) a huge “thank you” for getting me where I am today. I would also say that being labeled an “activist” makes me feel dangerous and exciting, but in reality it’s a lot more like being in an enormous, worldwide, happy activist family. Which is fantastic.
How did URGE impact your experience in college?
URGE came into my student activist life a little later than one might expect or recommend, but boy did it make an immense impact. Starting a URGE chapter at Mills in my senior year was a crazy thing to do, particularly in light of completing a double major, a senior thesis, and working an internship at SF City Hall, but it was so worth it. Though it was not without its difficulties, particularly in getting other busy students to get involved, it was rewarding because we were able to talk about and put on events related to what we actually wanted to discuss, in that very moment in time. URGE gave us the opportunity, the freedom, and the tools to do this. And we are forever grateful.
Where are you heading next?
Well, I just got rejected by two fellowships to which I applied, BUT as everyone says, when one door closes, another opens. Apparently I just need to go find a new house… Lol!
What’s one piece of advice you would leave behind for future student activists?
I would advise student activists to remember to DELEGATE. Being in a leadership position can be helpful and rewarding, but also stressful. Remember that there are ways that people can help you, both on the top level (like URGE’s office in DC) and in your clubs and organizations, as well as other mentors on campus. Also, network, network, network… Trust me.
Allie Lahey – Bowling Green State University
What did you study in college?
I majored in Human Development and Family Studies with minors in Popular Culture and Sexuality Studies
What did you enjoy the most about your experience as a student activist?
I enjoyed meeting other young people and engaging others in activism and reproductive justice. Holding events and outreach was the best part, as I got to have critical conversations with other young people.
How did URGE impact your experience in college?
URGE impacted my experience by really helping me think critically about the work I am engaging in. URGE helped me take my analysis and activism deeper than it was before. Y’all also connected me with other young activists across the country who are doing the work, and helped me think of ways we can creatively promote our organization and create change on campus.
Where are you heading next?
I am the Ohio Field Organizer with URGE, and I will be working on civil engagement and with chapters in Ohio. In addition, I will continue to engage new leaders through Young People For (YP4) progressive fellowship program as an alumni.
What’s one piece of advice you would leave behind for future student activists?
One piece of advice I would give is to network with other activists. Never stop having conversations or creating opportunities for those conversations about social justice and reproductive justice, whether it’s with a freshman on campus or a director of a major organization.
Nikki Lanshaw – Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo
What did you study in college?
Political Science, Minor in Women’s and Gender Studies
What did you enjoy the most about your experience as a student activist?
The amazing dialogues I had with professors, Cal Poly Students, and URGE activists from other campuses about effective organizing and feminist theories in general. I am honored to be part of such a diverse network of activists that are concerned with a variety of RJ topics that I would have never heard of without their work.
How did URGE impact your experience in college?
URGE introduced me to a field of activism and study that will guide my future career. When I was first introduced to URGE I was a proud feminist, but I hadn’t felt like I found a particular area that I was super passionate about. I feel at home when discussing and organizing around reproductive justice. It mandates intersectional feminism and integrates multiple academic fields, which keeps it challenging and interesting.
Where are you heading next?
I don’t know where I’ll be heading next. I am currently applying for positions with RJ, RH, and feminist organizations as they become available, but if that doesn’t pan out I am more than happy to move somewhere new, wait tables for a year, and apply for graduate school.
What’s one piece of advice you would leave behind for future student activists?
STAY ORGANIZED. Stay on top of your calendar, e-mail account(s), and social media. Personal organization will make your organization within your chapter so much easier. Google and Doodle need to be your best friends. Also organize around things you love. As you grow your chapter you will attract other people with passions different than you. There’s no need for you to work on every project. It is better to produce fewer, well made projects than a variety of projects poorly.
Miranda Mammen – Stanford University
What did you study in college?
At Stanford, I majored American Studies with a concentration in Gender & American Society.
What did you enjoy the most about your experience as a student activist?
One of the most gratifying aspects of my college experience has been my friends and peers approaching me as a resource on reproductive justice issues. Several people reached out to me after experiences with sexual assault, both to learn about campus resources and also because they knew that I would care. That is exactly the person that I want to be!
How did URGE impact your experience in college?
URGE helped me develop concrete organizing skills. In particular, the Gloria Steinem Membership Conference gave me a new lens with which to think about myself as an activist and to develop a long-term strategy for reproductive justice organizing.
Where are you heading next?
I am staying in the San Francisco Bay Area to pursue a career in non-profit advocacy.
What’s one piece of advice you would leave behind for future student activists?
One piece of advice is to organize using the relationships and networks you’ve already built — talk to your friends and peers, bring up reproductive justice in class discussions, etc.
Amber Melvin – Cal State University, Long Beach
What did you study in college?
Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.
What did you enjoy the most about your experience as a student activist?
Meeting other people that felt the same way that I did about things going on on our campus, in our community, and in our national politics. I transferred to my university from a community college 8 hours away, so when I got to campus, I did not know anyone and only had a few semesters left to build relationships here. Organizing on campus was a great way to meet people that shared the same interests and concerns that I did. Being a student activist also made me visible on campus and in my department, which opened more opportunities for me to work with other groups and with professors. For example, professors saw the work that I put into URGE campaigns and knew that I cared about sex education and sexual health, so they came to me when they were looking for research assistants for their projects about sex education.
How did URGE impact your experience in college?
URGE gave me a platform and an outlet for the passion that I had. I had always been involved in other organizations and campus groups, but URGE is the only organization that taught me how to be a leader and how to do activist work with maximum impact. They also challenged me to think outside of my own experiences and see the larger picture, which in turn makes the work that I do now much stronger.
Where are you heading next?
I am planning to work in the progressive movement while deciding what grad program is the best for me to be able to keep teaching others about sexuality and gender.
What’s one piece of advice you would leave behind for future student activists?
Always consider how you can partner with new people. There is always something to learn and ways to grow your knowledge and ideas, so get to know other people and organizations. Your campaigns and impact will be much greater when you are building relationships with people outside of your circle.
Alexi Minnick – University of Central Florida
What did you study in college?
Psychology and Sociology with Minors in Women’s Studies and Criminal Justice. Certificates in Behavioral Forensics and Criminal Profiling.
What did you enjoy the most about your experience as a student activist?
What I enjoyed most about my experience as a student activist was the opportunity to lobby on the national level in Washington DC for REHYA when I was attending the Gloria Steinem Membership Conference.
How did URGE impact your experience in college?
URGE impacted my experience in college by giving me the opportunity to find my activist voice. I had the opportunity to attend the Gloria Steinem Membership Conference whch inspired me to be involved in reproductive justice.The knowledge and skills I have learned fromURGE helped me with lobbying at the Florida Capitol on a state level about the importance of insurance coverage for women’s reproductive care.
Where are you heading next?
I plan on pursuing two graduate degrees – Masters in Arts in Applied Learning and Instruction and a Masters in Arts in Sociology at UCF.
What’s one piece of advice you would leave behind for future student activists?
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” ― Jane Goodall.
Jessica Ross – Cal State University, Long Beach
What did you study in college?
I studied Women’s, Gender, & Sexuality Studies at CSULB.
What did you enjoy the most about your experience as a student activist?
I enjoyed being able to practice the theories we were learning in class, and generating change on campus was such a personally rewarding experience! Also, I made some of the best friends I could have asked for.
How did URGE impact your experience in college?
URGE helped to fuel my passion for social change by providing the tools and support that is necessary for student activists. I love URGE!
Where are you heading next?
After graduating I will be traveling throughout Europe, and when I return I will be on the search for a career regarding reproductive justice. I want to change the world!
What’s one piece of advice you would leave behind for future student activists?
I would love for student activists to believe in themselves! I was surprised at how much change a few people could create. We are powerful individuals.
Amanda Schulze – University of Kansas
What did you study in college?
Spanish, and also studied various medical specialties.
What did you enjoy the most about your experience as a student activist?
Finding my passion and being able to support others find their passion too.
How did URGE impact your experience in college?
URGE was the catalyst to changing everything I wanted to accomplish in college. They gave me the resources I needed to work on my dreams and they have equipped me with invaluable skills to bring to my career life.
Where are you heading next?
I am looking for work in the social justice arena and I hope to work with some of the great organizations I have come to know.
What’s one piece of advice you would leave behind for future student activists?
Never stop challenging yourself and keep integrity at the forefront of your work. Do it because it’s right, not because it’s easy.
Diana Sencherey – Ohio State University
What did you study in college?
Public Health and Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies
What did you enjoy the most about your experience as a student activist?
Bringing new people into the reproductive justice movement
How did URGE impact your experience in college?
URGE allowed me to meet and develop relationships with people I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet had I not been involved with URGE.
Where are you heading next?
Work and prep for grad school.
What’s one piece of advice you would leave behind for future student activists?
Self-care is crucial.
