11 Students Honored with Tufts 2025 Presidential Awards for Civic Life

"My academic and professional work is at the intersection of community empowerment and ecological resilience. From an early age, I have asked questions about the natural and social environments in my northern New Jersey community. I was usually met with the confused faces of my peers, from a lack of awareness or interest in the environmental field. After realizing the disproportionate impacts of pollution faced by my community, I kept searching for proper answers. This has led me to volunteer in Newark, NJ, research in Oakland, CA, and work in Philadelphia, PA. It has been rewarding to hear about aspirational futures from overlooked groups. When your passions are rooted in local experiences and issues, as mine are, it is exciting to see others become enthusiastic about finding solutions. I am honored to be recognized with this award, and it inspires me to do more as a leader, learner, and community member!"

"My path to civic engagement has been guided by the Africana Community at Tufts, teaching me the importance of taking up space. If something you need doesn’t exist here, create it —you will build community for others who need it too. This award represents the love I have poured into my community. Civic engagement has filled me, and I am grateful to be a testament to growth, hope, and endless dreaming."
 

"My civic engagement has been in service of promoting harm reduction for substance use at Tufts and beyond. I have done my best to emphasize the importance of education in this field, promote access to necessary supplies, and support those struggling with addiction. My central goal is to keep people safe and healthy. Everything I do is done with this end in mind, and in memory of my brother, Ben. Thank you to my parents and family for all your continual love and support, which motivates me to keep up this work."
 

"As a first-generation, low-income Dominican student, I’ve learned to navigate between two worlds—my roots in the Dominican Republic and my life in the United States. This journey has shaped my understanding of the power of community, service, and advocacy. At Tufts, I found purpose in uplifting communities like mine—whether in the Bronx, the Dominican Republic, Boston, or on campus. These experiences taught me that civic engagement isn’t just about giving; it’s about listening, learning, and building relationships that spark meaningful change. From volunteering on the frontlines of healthcare access to advocating for underserved populations, I’ve seen how small actions can lead to lasting impact. Civic engagement gave me the tools to transform personal and systemic struggles into collective advocacy, and it reminded me that no effort is too small when grounded in compassion and commitment."

"A lot of people believe that certain rights belong to us simply because we are human. We should be allowed to live. Have the opportunity to make something of ourselves. Maybe even feel safe. This isn’t new. It’s an idea rooted in the founding documents of countries across the world. You know, the declarations and constitutions we skimmed somewhere between Christopher Columbus “discovering” land people were already living on and a rushed lesson on the Civil Rights Movement. 

"Civic engagement, to me, means building with community, not just for it. During my time at Tufts, I found purpose in my Pan-Asian and tech spaces; environments that are rooted in connection, dialogue, and growth. I’ve come to realize that our strength lies in unity, that cultural celebration is a powerful form of resistance, and that community care isn’t a concept, but what sustains us. With each step forward, let us lead with grace, accountability, and a collective vision – striving to not only meet the moment, but to imagine and create something more whole, together."

"For the past few years, I’ve started and ended each year with the same hope: that humanity and love will prevail—because our world continues to endure immense hardship. My journey at Tufts University has profoundly transformed how I make meaning of life. It has helped me understand my purpose and how to center human needs above all else. 

"People often ask what role science should play in social justice. I believe that we have a responsibility to use science thoughtfully and make active efforts towards social impact. I am proud to use my research and education to fight for my community and communities alike that have faced systemic discrimination in this country. Thus, I will continue using science as a form of protest dedicated to fighting for social justice and healing in underserved communities."

"As we close this chapter at Tufts University and begin new ones, I reflect with gratitude on the many projects and passions of my classmates at the School of Dental Medicine and across the University. Our collective efforts illustrate what it means to be a Jumbo—and remind us that meaningful change is amplified through working together.

 My passion for civic engagement, research, team-building, and sustainable outreach is rooted in a deep reverence for where I come from and where we are headed as a community. Most importantly, my work is driven by a fervent belief in our individual capacity to impact the world around us.

 I remain committed to advancing oral and systemic health through continued work beyond the dental school walls, and I am deeply honored to receive this award. It is my hope that we all continue to move forward with faith and purpose, never forgetting our capacity to create change and the transformative power of collaboration and compassionate health care."

"I am so grateful for my experiences here and the opportunity to serve the TUSM student body. Studying sociology and civic engagement in undergrad gave me a foundation with which to build upon in medical school, and volunteering during the pandemic reminded me why I wanted to devote myself to serving others. I came to Tufts because of the amazing opportunities to study health justice, and the skills I have gained at Tufts will continue to serve me well in residency and beyond. Every course and patient encounter led me to primary care, where I can be a civically-minded physician for others. Thank you to the Tisch Summer Fellows team, my Scholarly Project mentors, and all of the TUSM department staff for getting me to where I am today!"

"Civic engagement begins with caring—and caring is a radical act. This is especially true when showing up for communities that have been overlooked, or for communities with which you do not identify. Throughout medical school, I’ve learned that advocacy isn’t always loud; sometimes it’s quiet, steady, and deeply personal. It looks like mentoring students who remind you of your younger self. It looks like writing policies to make the healthcare you wish you had more accessible. It looks like listening—truly listening—to people, and letting their stories change you.

 Receiving the Presidential Award for Civic Life is an honor that reflects not just my own efforts, but the strength of my community: the mentors, patients, and loved ones who’ve inspired me. I carry their voices with me, especially when I feel too small.

 To anyone who wonders if this is their fight: it is. Your presence is powerful. Your perspective matters. Change doesn’t come from being perfect—it comes from showing up with passion and purpose, again and again."