FINALIST - 2007

Jillian Gaeta The ideal Lafayette education occurs when a student develops their individuality and uses their knowledge to impact the lives of others. My academic passion is international politics, and I impact the world by acting as a citizen of humanity. I believe, when injustice jeopardizes humanity it’s our responsibility to take action, and if we all take small steps towards improving society change will occur. I lived by this principle throughout my Lafayette experience, and learned, that striving for the world you deem ideal is a life-long process. Part of my leadership developed from the inspiration of students and educators who work to create positive change. Applying my knowledge and being active in political issues is an integral part of my education. I gained insight into the power of investments from working for the New York Stock Exchange and recognized how Lafayette could impact the situation in Darfur through socially responsible investing. Despite the challenge, I researched a compelling argument for divestment, and Lafayette made a strong statement against genocide. My passion for this issue led to my senior thesis integrating my academic and extracurricular experiences. Developing my leadership at Lafayette was rewarding but inspiring others to turn their convictions into action has been more fulfilling. By creating organizations like Holla Back and Amnesty International, I provided students the forum to engage in politics and voice their concerns about human rights abuses. My work building the Alternative School Break program enabled students to serve diverse communities and recognize their potential to create change. I want a world where we uphold each other’s rights based solely on our humanity. My Lafayette education helped me develop the courage to always pursue this ideal. Throughout my life, I will encourage others to follow their passions, and become their own ideal citizen of humanity.

 

Majors: International Affairs and French
Thesis: The Impact of Oil Revenues and Corrupt Governance on Human Rights Abuses in Sudan, Chad, and Nigeria


Academic Activities

• President, Sigma Iota Rho (International Affairs Honor Society) (3,4)
• Paul Tully Prize - Presented to the student who best exemplifies the progressive principles of social and political service (4)
• Semester Abroad Paris, France - All courses were taken in French, studied at the Sorbonne and Institut Catholique. (3)
• Interim Abroad - Kenya and Tanzania (2)
• Dean’s List (1,2,3)
• EXCEL Scholar - Researched the effectiveness of international human rights treaties with Professor Neil Englehart, government and law department (2)
• Intern, The New York Stock Exchange - Worked in the Global Corporate Client Group, Government Relations and Communications Divisions. Created presentations, and translated French articles regarding NYSE-Euronext merge. (1,2,3)
• Extern, Hillary Clinton’s 2006 re-election campaign - Called potential donors, transcribed speeches learned about campaigning and FEC laws. (3)
• Summer Course in Beginners Arabic - The Language School, Redbank, N.J. (3)
• Teach for America - Selected to join national teaching corps who work in under-resourced schools. Will be teaching in New York City after graduation. (4)

Campus Activities

• Student Government - Was elected to student government as Academic Affairs Chair and then Elections Chair. Served as an associate representative for the committee for Academic Progress.(1,2,3,4)
• Student Representative, Board of Trustees Committee for Educational Policy (4)
• Student Representative, Board of Trustees Ad Hoc Committee for Investment Policy - The committee made a statement against the genocide in Darfur, wrote to the College asset managers urging them to look more closely at our investments. (3,4)
• Student Representative, Provost’s Committee on Darfur - Helped plan educational activities about Darfur for the College, to take place in the 2007-08 academic year. (4)
• Student Representative, History Department Search Committee for a Latin American history professor - Met with candidates interviewing for the position and wrote summaries for the department to help them get a student perspective (one semester). (4)
• Member, United Against Hate Week Committee - Helped organize brown bags throughout the week and the Peace Conference. Presented at the Peace Conference. (4)
• Mock Trial Team - Acted as both a lawyer and a witness in competitions. Learned how to argue and use legal principles. Received Best Witness award, Lafayette College Invitational (2004), Princeton University Regional Tournament (2005). (1,2,3)

Community Service

• Co-President, Alternative School Break - Responsible for overseeing the entire club of over 50 members. Organized 6 community service trips. Prepared students to go on the trips with leadership training, education of issues, fundraising, and service. (4)
• Vice President, Alternative School Break - Assisted President with all duties (3)
• ASB Team Member - Service Trip to Tennessee working with Refugee Resettlement Program, assisted Sudanese and Somali refugees adapt to life in America by tutoring children, teaching the public transportation system and job skills. (4)
• Attended Breakaway Leadership Conference, which is the national Alternative Break program. At the conference received leadership training and participated in a service work with HIV/AIDS organizations in San Francisco. (3)
• ASB Team Member - Went to South Carolina working with Habitat for Humanity (2) addressing the issue of affordable housing. As a member of my team, I was the Team Builder and helped plan activities for us to get to know each other before the trip. (2)
• Co-Founder/President, Holla Back, Your Voice Your Vote - Over three years registered 607 students to vote and obtain absentee ballots, planned over 30 educational events about the elections and political issues. (2,3,4)
• Tsunami Relief Committee - Helped organize fundraisers to benefit the victims of the tsunami (2)
• Volunteer, Kids In the Community, Lafapalooza, and AIDS awareness program (1)

Athletics

• Crew Club - Member, fall of first year (1)
• Latin Dance Class, Kirby Sports Center (1)
• Ballet Class, Kirby Sports Center (2)
• Advanced Ballet Class, Marais Dance Center, Paris France - Studied under former member of the Paris Ballet Company (3)

Special Interest

• Co-Founder and President, Amnesty International - Organized approximately 20 events dealing with issues such as Darfur, Guantanamo Bay, conflict diamonds, and women’s rights. Brought speakers to campus, showed films, and handed out educational information (2,3,4)
• Save Darfur Coalition - I organized trips to the rally against the genocide in Darfur held at the National Mall in Washington D.C. Organized a bus trip of 40 students to attend the rally against genocide in New York City. (3,4)
• Chair, Dance for Darfur Committee - Organized a committee of students to plan a semi-formal dance as a fundraiser for the Save Darfur Coalition. The event raised $2500 for the organization. (4)
• Genocide Intervention Network - Lobbied senators on Capital Hill to pass the Darfur Accountability Act. Organized letter writing campaign; sent 500 letters to congress, presented 1st brown bag on campus about Darfur, sold bracelets to raise money. (2)
• Students for Social Justice - Served as treasurer. Helped organize the first Peace Conference. Organized a brown bag with a Lafayette alum to speak on his experience in the Peace Corps. Helped organize a discussion about the war in Iraq (1,2,3,4)
• Member, Justice Equality and Ecology Floor - Living group for students interested in social justice and environmental issues (2)
• Newman Association - Served as retreat co-chair and planned religious retreats. Served as a Eucharistic minister and lector during mass. Helped plan the Frisbee Golf tournament to benefit the Third Street Alliance junior year. (1,2,3,4)
• Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority - Served as VP of campus relations and Panhellenic delegate (2), helped with philanthropy events like Eggstravaganza and AGD relay for life team. (2,3)