Three Nazareth Students Headed to Scotland for the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) in April

In a highly competitive process, three Nazareth College students were selected to advance their social innovation projects at the 12th Annual Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) 2020 at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, from April 17-19 — the first international CGI U conference. 

Their projects seek to give a voice to people with autism, enlist musicians to support services for people who are homeless, and build a new plastic recycling program.

The University of Edinburgh is the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world, and consistently ranked among the top 20 universities in the world. CGI U chose the Nazareth students to join 600 innovative student leaders from around the world to pursue Commitments to Action in one of CGI U's five focus areas: education, environment and climate change, peace and human rights, poverty alleviation, and public health.

Student attendees will attend CGI U plenary sessions, working sessions, and other special events that will enable them to network with peers, build skills, and identify potential partners. The program will feature dozens of topic experts, university representatives, and celebrities who will join students at CGI U to discuss effective solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges. During the last day of the meeting, attendees will take part in a Day of Action in the local community. 

Nazareth College CGI U students

Meagan Maher (business management and community youth development double major with interfaith and religious studies minors)

• CGI U Commitment to Action: Autistically Beautiful

• Faculty/Staff Advisor: Erika Hess, director of Student Accessibility Services

• Focus Area: Peace and Human Rights

• CGI U Commitment to Action: Meagan’s CGI U project goal is to have professors and students learn from and accept people with disabilities. The mission of Autistically Beautiful is to create a safe environment for everyone to be themselves and feel accepted for who they are as a person. Meagan wants to create an environment where students feel comfortable and confident in sharing their personal experiences on neurodiversity with others. Sharing personal stories with others is significant because it removes barriers between one another and creates a discussion on societal stereotypes.

Jazlyn Melindo (music major)

• CGI U Commitment to Action: Busking for the Homeless

• Faculty Advisors: Dr. Leanne Charlesworth, professor of social work, and Nancy Strelau, an associate professor of music who’s also associate director for the School of Music

• Focus Area: Poverty Alleviation

• CGI U Commitment to Action: Jazlyn committed to using the musical talents from local buskers (a person who entertains in a public place for donations) to advocate and fundraise for a homelessness organization. The commitment maker will team up with one of Rochester's non-profit organizations and a public market, and create an event where buskers dedicate their time and talent to raise money and awareness.

Natasha George ‘20 (international studies major)

• CGI U Commitment to Action: Precious Plastic in the Rochester Community

• Advisor: Dr. Devparna Roy and Gilbert Verdugo

• Focus Area: Environment and Climate Change

• CGI U Commitment to Action: In 2020, Natasha is committed to acquiring resources to create a recycling project in Rochester based off of blueprints for four machines presented by Precious Plastic. This includes a shredder, an extruder, an injector, and a compression machine so that plastic of various types can be converted into new products. The mission is to foster a community-based collaboration through networking with local groups, non-profit organizations, and businesses in order to fund, build machines, and implement a new recycling program that can be used as a model in other communities across the world.

About CGI U

Building on the successful model of the Clinton Global Initiative, which brings together world leaders to take action on global challenges, President Bill Clinton launched the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) in 2007 to engage the next generation of leaders on college campuses around the world. CGI U is proof that young people have the power to make a significant impact by confronting some of the world's most urgent challenges. Since 2008, students have made more than 6,250 Commitments to Action, and nearly $3 million in funding has been awarded to these commitment-makers through CGI U.

Special recognition to Adam Lewandowski, Professor Jennifer Leigh, and Christina Luther for coaching these students through the project development and application process. 

Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.

Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.

• published: 2020 January
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