Krystal Ibeawuchi, a dean’s list student and junior class president, will represent the University of Maryland Eastern Shore as an inaugural member of the new Mid-Atlantic Civic Fellowship program for the 2022-23 academic year.
A biology major hoping to pursue a career in medicine, Ibeawuchi is among 13 undergraduates from Maryland, the District of Columbia and Delaware selected for their academic credentials as well as emerging leadership skills.
“I’m really honored to be chosen to represent UMES,” Ibeawuchi said. “I’m hoping I can learn some things that I’ll be able to share with others.”
Beginning with an orientation this month, Transform Mid-Atlantic, the program organizer, will “offer students … high impact opportunities to develop their leadership skills and understanding of civic and community engagement so they may better serve as leaders in their communities and collectively create solutions to our region’s most urgent problems.”
“This fellowship is a key avenue to develop student-leaders who are engaged global citizens, actively contributing to the creation of equitable, healthy, sustainable and socially-just communities,” the organization said in a press release announcing the honorees.
Ibeawuchi calls Lanham, Md. home but as a child lived in England, where she experienced a different approach to education she believes “molded the foundation of my (approach to) leadership.”
In addition to being an elected student leader, Ibeawuchi has been active in the Hollerin’ Hawks school-spirit group and “the illustrious organization Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.”
“By being a part of these organizations,” she wrote in an essay, “I’ve found myself, and it has molded me into the person I am today – such as giving back to the community, volunteering for food distribution centers, and collaborating with different organizations within the campus community.”
Since arriving at UMES, Ibeawuchi has also nurtured a talent for helping peers in how to how to apply cosmetics for important social events.
“It’s just something I like to do, and people seem happy with,” Ibeawuchi said.
Ibeawuchi was flattered to be nominated by Latoya Jenkins, UMES’ vice president of enrollment management and student experience, and “I hope to gain knowledge, meet others, build networks and bring back ideas to UMES.”
Program organizers project they will hold one in-person gathering and at least six virtual meetings, “including site visits, trainings, and workshops with regional and national experts focused on leadership development and advancing equity through civic and community engagement in the Mid-Atlantic region” including such topics as:
- Transformational Community-based Leadership
- Grassroots Strategies for Developing Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
- Global Citizenship and Cross-Cultural Competencies
- Service and Community Engagement in the Corporate Sector
- Advancing Equity and Social Change through Advocacy and Public Policy
- Systemic Change through Collective Impact
After graduating a year from now, Ibeawuchi is looking to go to graduate school to become a physician’s assistant “because I have the desire to help people and have the potential to impact human life positively.”
For more information about the Mid-Atlantic Civic Fellowship program, please see the website.
