GW Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service

? Reflecting on Growth Through Nashman Workshops ?? Over the past few months, I attended three thought-provoking workshops at the GW Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service, each of which provided unique insights and skills for engaging with communities, fostering social innovation, and leveraging the power of storytelling. Here's a quick recap of what I gained:? 1?? Entering Communities Respectfully (Sept. 18)?? Led by Abimbola Ogundare, this workshop emphasized the importance of ethical and reciprocal community engagement. I deepened my understanding of how our social identities impact interactions and learned strategies to build relationships based on mutual respect. It reminded me that impactful change starts with truly listening to and understanding community needs. At this session, I was also incredibly lucky to meet the fantastic Sandhya K. who always teaches and inspires. 2?? Social Innovation - How to Start? (Oct. 2)?? Ayman Rahman challenged us to embrace the inertia of starting something new. This session provided actionable tools to find inspiration, understand community experiences, and turn ideas into meaningful action. It reinforced the value of starting small, staying empathetic, and building momentum toward solving complex challenges.? 3?? Social Innovation - Storytelling and Media (Oct. 16)?? Ayman Rahman returned with a dynamic session on crafting compelling narratives. I gained a better understanding of how stories can inspire collective action and learned social media strategies to amplify messages effectively. This session reignited my passion for using storytelling to connect with diverse audiences and drive meaningful change.? These workshops have equipped me with the tools to engage communities with humility, approach problem-solving creatively, and tell stories that resonate. As I continue my journey in public administration and policy, I’m grateful for opportunities like these that refine my ability to lead with purpose and empathy.?Lastly, many thanks to all the workshop presenters and coordinators! Y'all truly do important work bringing these programs to The George Washington University community. Let’s keep learning and growing together! ???? #CommunityEngagement #SocialInnovation #Storytelling #ProfessionalGrowth

As this semester wraps up, I've been reflecting on some of the experiences that have shaped my growth, especially my involvement with the GW Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service. This year, alongside my ongoing volunteer work with Little Friends for Peace, I stepped into the role of Site Leader for ArtReach GW. ArtReach GW serves over 300 children and families annually, offering free, high-quality visual arts education through classes, exhibitions, and events for communities in DC’s Wards 7 and 8. In my role as Site Leader, I’ve gained hands-on experience in planning and facilitating meetings, managing scheduling, leading a dedicated team, and collaborating closely with my supervisor to uphold ArtReach’s mission: building connections between people and their communities through the power of art. Additionally, I’ve had the unique opportunity to observe art therapy group sessions with the GW Graduate Art Therapy Program. These sessions have confirmed my passion for art therapy and strengthened my career aspirations in mental health. I’m excited to continue working with the Nashman Center and contributing to meaningful community engagement throughout my time at George Washington University!

With our partner, the Center for Expanding Leadership & Opportunity, we’re thrilled to announce the 2024 - 2025 recipients of The Allstate Foundation College Service Grants Program! To date, we’ve granted more than $1 million to youth-led service programs at college and university campuses across the country. In addition to funding, representatives from each school will also participate in a 2-day convening to share best practices, build community, and collaborate. Congratulations to all of the selected schools! We can’t wait to see how your students make an impact in their communities! See the list of recipients and learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gb97c6wn #YouthLedYouthDriven #YouthEmpowerment #YouthService #HigherEducation #Education #SocialImpact

Congratulations to our National Partnership for Student Success 2024 #HigherEd Summit Awardees! ?? We applaud the great work of these recipients in developing & providing people-powered #StudentSupports! ?? - The State University of New York - The City University of New York - Weber State University - NYC District 26 - Raising A Village Foundation - Arizona State University Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College - Step Up Tutoring - Dr. Marina Barnett, Associate Professor and Assistant Provost of Civic Engagement at Widener University - Amy Cohen, Assistant Vice Provost and Executive Director of the GW Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service - Olivia Edwards, Community Engagement Specialist at the Institute for Community Engagement and Civic Leadership, at the Community College of Philadelphia