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Class of 2009
Peabody College
Major: Human & Organizational Development and Anthropology
Minor: Spanish
Hometown: Richland, WA
Amber has always had a passion for service. In high school she volunteered with the Red Cross during blood drives and at her local hospital working at the help desk. She was also a very active member in her church’s youth group. With this group she participated in many different service activities across her community and traveled to Honduras in 2003 to help with numerous community development projects. After graduation, Amber decided to put off attending college for a year in order to spend ten months doing national and community service with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps. Serving alongside a diverse team of people from across the U.S., Amber learned more about the issues that affect many people in this country. She rebuilt state park trails in rural Virginia, tutored kids with mental and behavioral disabilities near D.C., built homes with Habitat for Humanity in Pittsburg, and helped run a Boys and Girls Club summer program in Ohio. NCCC was an amazing and inspiring journey that reconfirmed and focused Amber’s passion to serve others.
At Vanderbilt, Amber branched out to new areas of service and activism. During her first year she helped plan the C.O.O.L. Idealist National Conference held at Vanderbilt in March 2006. She also became involved with Alpha Phi Omega (a co-ed service fraternity connecting students with service opportunities in Nashville) and FREE, Vanderbilt’s anti-slavery organization. Amber served as both fundraising chair and webmaster for APO, and as President of FREE. In her sophomore year, Amber worked with three other students to create the first ever Martin Luther King Day of Service for Vanderbilt students and faculty. This event encouraged diverse student groups to participate in service projects alongside each other, promoting integration on campus. She also coached a high school Destination Imagination team, helping the group practice improvisational challenges and creative problem solving.
In the summer after her sophomore year, Amber completed her Ingram Summer Project in Calcutta, India. She volunteered with two organizations, Apne Aap Women Worldwide and All Bengal Women’s Union, both of which focus on the issues of human trafficking and women’s rights. Amber taught English and computers to adolescent girls and engaged them in discussions about their rights and opportunities for their futures. She also helped in the office writing grant proposals, applications, an organizational child rights policy, and a policy on child abuse prevention. Amber hopes that she can continue working with international NGOs and community development organizations throughout her life in order to make the world a better place for everyone. |
