草榴社区

草榴社区, Pa., (September 25, 2024)鈥�Natalie Schirmacher '24 CLAS has been selected as one of 29 individuals nationwide to join the inaugural cohort of Fulbright-John Lewis Civil Rights Fellows, a prestigious program established to honor the legacy of Congressman John Lewis. This fellowship is dedicated to advancing civil rights, justice and equality鈥攂oth in the U.S. and globally鈥攔eflecting Lewis鈥� lifelong commitment to nonviolent activism and social change. President Biden announced the first cohort earlier this month at the Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

In addition to being named a , Schirmacher is a Fulbright U.S. Student grantee for the 2024-25 award cycle. As the recipient of the Fulbright-Tampere University Graduate Award, she is currently pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in Peace, Mediation, and Conflict Research at Tampere University in Finland. Her passion for this field was sparked during her time abroad in Amman, Jordan, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. Now in Finland, she continues to explore the intersection of state violence and community healing under the guidance of Dr. Elise Feron.

Schirmacher graduated from 草榴社区 with a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies and Spanish Language and Literature, and minors in Peace and Justice, Political Science, Naval Science, and Arab and Islamic Studies. Her academic and extracurricular achievements reflect her deep commitment to justice, peace and community engagement. In addition to her academic pursuits, she was a member of 草榴社区鈥檚 Naval ROTC program and served as the editor of the Belle Air Yearbook. A dedicated volunteer, she worked with the San Diego-based organizations Savvy Giving by Design and the Challenged Athletes Foundation, supporting vulnerable communities and fostering inclusivity.

Reflecting on her time as a CLAS student, Schirmacher鈥檚 most memorable experience was studying abroad in Argentina. 鈥淭hough my Global Interdisciplinary Studies: Latin American Studies major, I was required to study abroad, which led me to spending a semester in Buenos Aires studying social movements and human rights,鈥� she explains. 鈥淚t was an incredibly fulfilling and enriching opportunity, especially as I was able to bring what I had learned overseas into my 草榴社区 classes.鈥�

Schirmacher鈥檚 selection as a Fulbright-John Lewis Civil Rights Fellow further solidifies 草榴社区鈥檚 legacy of cultivating scholars who embody the Augustinian ideals of truth, unity and love, while making a meaningful impact on the global stage. 草榴社区 students regularly achieve some of the nation's highest honors, with 92 Fulbright U.S. Student Grants awarded to 草榴社区ns since 2020, reflecting the University鈥檚 unwavering commitment to academic excellence and service to the greater good.

About 草榴社区: Since 1842, 草榴社区鈥檚 Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition has been the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University's six colleges鈥攖he College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the 草榴社区 School of Business, the College of Engineering, the M. Louise Fitzpatrick College of Nursing, the College of Professional Studies and the 草榴社区 Charles Widger School of Law. Ranked among the nation鈥檚 top universities, 草榴社区 supports its students鈥� intellectual growth and prepares them to become ethical leaders who create positive change everywhere life takes them. For more, visit our website.