In our last installment of the Civic Engagement Scholarship Spotlight series, we’re highlighting students involved with advocacy. If you missed the last two blogs in this series, check out how scholars used data to drive public policy development in the first post and created civic impact through real-word legal experiences in the most recent post.
From understanding community needs and increasing voter engagement to advocating for environmental justice in schools, the scholars in the spotlight today are stepping into roles that enable them to make a tangible impact on communities. Whether it’s through civic engagement, union organizing, or community outreach, scholars are working to ensure that those who are often left out of the conversation have a seat at the table. We’ll be exploring how community empowerment and advocacy can create lasting change, one voice at a time.
Mahogony Jules (Bethune Cookman University, Campus Competition ‘24,’25, Leadership Bootcamp ‘24, ‘25)
Community Voice as Civic Power
This summer, Mahogony Jules interned with the Victory Global Academy, partnering with Black Votes Matter on a civic engagement initiative focused on listening to and learning from historically underserved communities across Central Florida.
Their mission is simple: "ask residents how they’re doing—and truly listen." Using a virtual platform, Mahogany reached out to over 300 residents with questions about their experiences with food, housing, and other forms of insecurity. She shares that “these conversations offered more than just data—they sparked dialogue, connection, and care.”
Through this outreach, Mahogany compiled their responses into a “community needs assessment that will inform future outreach and advocacy.” A key highlight was the "opportunity to directly connect individuals with real-time resources, such as housing and food assistance—reinforcing that civic engagement must be responsive, not just rhetorical."
She also had the opportunity of speaking with a Central Florida Lead Organizer for Black Voters Matter, who emphasized the importance of staying educated and aware of the issues people are voting for Mahogony was inspired and reminded that “ civic engagement is both a responsibility and a right—one that must be protected and expanded through awareness and action”
Finally, Mahogany reflects on her summer internship: “This experience has sharpened my commitment to advocacy through voice, strategy, and creativity. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this movement and look forward to continuing the work.”
Alex Santiago (University of California, Santa Cruz, Leadership Bootcamp ‘24, ‘25)
AFSCME 3299
Recently, Alex Santiago completed their internship with AFSCME 3299 as a Student Organizing intern, where they gained firsthand experience in labor organizing and advocacy. They learned from seasoned union organizers, and their work centered on how to “ organize members and collaborate with different community stakeholders, from students to elected officials", in support of negotiations to improve wages and benefits for thousands of service workers.
For Alex, this work was deeply personal: “Having lived experience with family members who worked service jobs that were not union positions, I understood the need to ensure healthcare, housing support, and a living wage for our workers.” This understanding fueled their advocacy, and they quickly learned "the power of collective action and student-worker solidarity." The intern was able to educate over a dozen student groups and work alongside service workers in advocating for themselves.
Natalia Nava Bravo (Arizona State University, Campus Competition ‘24)
Arizona Sustainable Alliance
Natalia Nava Bravo interned at Arizona Sustainable Alliance this summer, where they support two hands-on sustainability programs transforming Arizona classrooms and communities. For their Urban Forestry Education Initiative, they documented events and helped train 40 professors on the power of trees, including a key insight on how tree shade can create "up to a 25 °F drop in Arizona’s harsh summer heat." They also managed logistics for a Vertical Farming Tower project, preparing 20 modular garden systems for elementary schools. Natalia learned that these simple, practical tips can spark real change, directly empowering teachers and students with the tools for a more sustainable future.
Their work during this internship serves as a powerful lesson in community action, education, and advocacy. The initiatives she contributed to represent a direct effort to tackle social inequality, improve quality of life, and enrich education. The work demonstrates how simple, practical tools can spark real change, empowering local communities to build a more sustainable future from the ground up.
Reflecting on their summer, Natalia shares a key lesson learned: “Sometimes, going back to the basics makes the biggest impact.”
And that concludes our Civic Engagement Scholarship Spotlight series for 2025! It has been an honor to showcase the incredible work that Up to Us Leadership Network scholars are doing in their communities. If you are interested in learning more about the Up to Us Campus Competition and applying for a Civic Engagement Scholarship, please visit https://www.itsuptous.org/get-involved/campus-competition.
September 2, 2025
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