Clinton Global Initiative University 2020 Recipients

Year & Major: First Year Graduate Student – Public Policy , TSPPPA

Commitment Name: Women’s Experiences 

Commitment Focus Area: Peace and Human Rights

Commitment Description: “The problem I am working to address is how immigrants can overcome mental health and discuss their experiences after migrating. This is important to me because I grew up in a country where sexual violence was seen as normal. Sometimes women are sexually abused during their migration trajectory by coyotes or family members after arriving. Women, and girls feel ashamed to talk about this issue in public spaces. They have psychological traumas for the rest of their lives. Moreover, not having a legal status in this country undervalued their rights and they are not seen as members of our society. My target population are immigrant women and girls who recently arrived in the United States.”

Year & Major: Sophomore – Neuroscience  

Commitment Name: Global Guru: Education for All

Commitment Focus Area: Education

Commitment Description: “In 2019, Divya Rath, a member of the non-profit organization Global Guru, committed to increasing literacy among children through a community-based tutoring initiative to supplement students’ education. Divya and Global Guru members will tutor students through free online weekly classes (5-7 students per tutor) in subjects of the student’s choice. They will partner with local organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, U.S. Dream Academy, and local schools to connect with potential students. In 24 months, they expect to increase the number of current volunteer tutors from 3 to 12-15 and tutor 60-70 students to the point where each student completes in-class assignments that demonstrate their mastery over 70% of the content learned during previous lessons.”

Year & Major: Sophomore – Engineering  

Commitment Name: Me4Her

Commitment Focus Area: Education

Commitment Description: “While growing up, I received many scornful eyes from those against my education. Many girls were encouraged to stay at home and learn how to become good wives. Those that refused to stop attending school, either got impregnated or forcefully married off. They were not allowed to make choices of due to culturally embedded beliefs. As a result of all these happenings, I felt a moral responsibility of creating a platform where girls would hear from women from their own communities who have made it into universities and succeeding. Sharing stories will help them relate with them and motivate them to dream beyond the walls in the camp. Due to intense cultural practices, I anticipate high opposition from mothers who believe my program will mislead their daughters we’re westernized (since I am studying abroad). As a countermeasure will bring girls that are studying in the local universities.”