International anti-poverty organization Oxfam America announced its class of CHANGE Leaders for the 2018-2019 academic school year. The 30 students selected for this year’s class hail from all across the country, each with a diverse set of academic and extracurricular backgrounds. Through the CHANGE program, these students will gain leadership and advocacy training to prepare them to promote social change on campus.
After completing a competitive application review and selection process, Oxfam offered Andrea Gordon from Missouri Western a place in the 2018 CHANGE Initiative. “We are excited to extend CHANGE Leader invitations to these incredible students,” said Nessa Stoltzfus Barge, Volunteer and Youth Engagement Manager at Oxfam. “Each of these students has demonstrated deep commitment and passion for Oxfam’s mission to end the injustice of poverty, and we are thrilled to be able connect with them and support their work to channel that passion into action,” said Stoltzfus Barge.
The yearlong program kicks off with a weeklong training in Boston this summer, where CHANGE Leaders get the chance to hear from Oxfam staff, CHANGE alumni and one another; as well as participate in workshops on leadership and advocacy training. CHANGE Leaders then take these skills back to campus, where they bring Oxfam’s mission to life through teach-ins, panels, research projects, class curriculum, special events, campus clubs, and more. Oxfam will support students with advice, materials, and information throughout the year.
“It’s such an honor to be able to represent Missouri Western and every other university and College within the Midwest, while in Boston,” Gordon said. “One thing that has always been big in my heart is service and commitment. I feel as if becoming an Oxfam for CHANGE leader will do nothing but strengthen and enhance the already acquired leadership skills that I have attained throughout the years. I must give a special thanks to Shana Meyer (vice president of student affairs), if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t have even applied for the program. She gave me the extra push and it definitely paid off. I can’t wait to represent my School in the best way!”
Founded in 2000, CHANGE has trained over 870 student leaders from more than 350 colleges and universities. Together, they learn how to transform their passion for the issues into meaningful action on campus and in their communities, joining a network of like-minded students around the country. Past CHANGE Leaders have gone on to work for members of Congress, start their own nonprofit organizations, and pursue social justice careers worldwide.