Advocacy Fellowship
As an undergraduate student, I noticed a major gap within our campus community. Incidents of sexual assault were high and students were angered.
I wrote up a job spec for the work I felt was missing, pitched it to the Vice President of Student Affairs. I became the University’s first ever “Advocacy Fellow” where I was responsible for organising and running healthy relationship and domestic violence prevention workshops for all first-year students, athletes, and people in sororities and fraternities. I spoke with various teams, including baseball, basketball, and football, about topics related to consent, respect, boundaries, and communication.
In less than one year, I planned 20+ workshops and trained 1,200 students, or 24% of the student population. In addition to workshops, I held office hours for students who needed support, and I sat on a Sexual Assault Prevention Taskforce alongside university stakeholders.
Four students have filled my position since I graduated and are continuing this work.
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“I have known Emma since her first year at Butler University. I was impressed with the self-awareness and authenticity she brought to conversations and admired how those characteristics were cornerstones in her writing as well. Emma has accepted every opportunity I presented her with to make a difference on issues she cares deeply about and through her unique talents and skills she has thrived as a writer, workshop facilitator and now as the university’s first Advocacy Fellow, a role she advocated for! I continue to admire her genuine commitment to creating dialogue & helping all members of the campus community see opportunities for change in their spaces. Emma embraces vulnerability, leads with heart and isn’t afraid to ask a lot of questions.”
Sarah Barnes Diaz, Formerly Associate Director of Health Education and Outreach Programs at Butler University.
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"Emma is an incredibly empathetic and bright leader. She is a creative self-starter who is eager to do whatever she can to serve her community. I have been very impressed by Emma's initiative, outreach efforts, communication and collaboration styles, and leadership. Emma will make a difference wherever she ends up and would be an asset to any team!
Jules Grable, Director of Student Advocacy at Butler University.
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"I have been thoroughly impressed by Emma's work this semester. She's had a positive impact on campus culture along with enhancing the student experience. I can't wait to see and hear about all of her future successes. She's a special person that brings high intelligence, passion, creativity, and commitment to her work."
Josh Downing, Former Executive Director of Butler University’s Institute of Wellbeing.