Delali Nenonene

University of Dayton

Delali Neonene, class of 2020, has a special gift to ask keen questions that reach shared solutions to challenges facing our community. As one of the two students on the University of Dayton's task force on diversity and inclusion, he has been at the forefront of asking critical questions of our University community as we strive to develop a comprehensive strategic plan that will enhance our excellence and our impact as an engaged, comprehensive research university. As a member of the Student Government Association since his freshman year, Delali created a program focused on the creation of difficult-but important-conversations. He brought together student leaders from all backgrounds, organizations, and perspectives for a series of conversations about challenging topics including race and the political climate in our country and found ways to enable a productive civil discourse. Delali does not just ask questions; he listens closely to his peers and those around him. Delali takes action by building a common vision.

Dr. Eric Spina
President
University of Dayton

Personal Statement

My motivation for combating societal injustice stems from my upbringing. My father is a Ghanaian immigrant who instilled the values of justice, understanding and an empathy for all people in my life. After transferring from an inner-city high school to a suburban high school, I observed a great lack of understanding which created ideological differences. The only way for individuals to learn and accept one another is through dialogue rather than engaging in hate driven arguments. When I arrived at the University of Dayton, this issue was again apparent within the student body on issues pertaining to race, gender, and the political climate of the country. To facilitate a safe space where individuals could participate in meaningful dialogue, I created an event called Tough Talks. In this event, we used clips from films and television shows that depict racial, sexist, and political issues that occur on our campus. Along with Tough Talks, I have also worked to create a new cultural module that all incoming first-year students take as part of the University of Dayton experience. This "UDiversity" module includes scenarios of prevalent issues that occur to racial minorities, LGBTQ+ students, and international students on our campus.

Delali Nenonene
Political Science: Class of 2020
written 2019

2019 Fellows Alphabetical by Institution

  • a
  • b
  • c
  • d
  • e
  • f
  • g
  • h
  • i
  • j
  • k
  • l
  • m
  • n
  • o
  • p
  • q
  • r
  • s
  • t
  • u
  • v
  • w
  • x
  • y
  • z
Sarah Lutes, UNC Asheville Seda Sahin, Univeristy of Connecticut Bernardo Villarreal Rodríguez, Universidad de Monterrey Elizabeth Paige, University of Baltimore Itzel Velazquez, University of Central Arkansas Jordan Borenstein, University of Central Florida Hunter Caudillo, University of Central Oklahoma Delali Nenonene, University of Dayton April Singleton, University of Delaware Amanda Wittebort, University of Denver Mikaela Lopez, University of Houston-Downtown Nicolas Robledo, University of Illinois at Chicago Natalie Benson, University of Indianapolis Jocelyn Roof, University of Iowa Kaitlyn Frick, University of Kentucky Dyamond Gray, University of La Verne Sarah Nichols, University of Maine at Augusta Maheen Haq, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Madison LaCure, University of Massachusetts - Boston Marvens Pierre, University of Massachusetts Amherst Elizabeth Anusauskas, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Twisha Mohapatra, University of Massachusetts Lowell Shravya Jasti, University of Miami Jalen Rose, University of Michigan-Dearborn Robert Harper, University of Minnesota Danielle Friz, University of Missouri - St. Louis Daisy Ward, University of Montana Adrianna Pittman, University of Montana Western Lizbeth Perez Hernandez, University of Nebraska Omaha Kaitlin Griffin, University of New Hampshire Joyce Yao, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Yesika Sorto Andino, University of North Carolina at Charlotte Adriana Zarate, University of North Georgia Hector Robledo, University of North Texas at Dallas Sashay Carroll, University of Northern Iowa Carson Ball, University of Oklahoma Carter Gale, University of Pennsylvania John Farris, University of Redlands Mary-Kate McGeary, University of Rhode Island Lina Tori Jan, University of Richmond Nina Schneider, University of San DIego Nyteia Tyler, University of San Francisco Karen Padilla, University of South Carolina Beaufort Danica Leaphart, University of South Carolina, Columbia Shaneika Bowra, University of the District of Columbia Livia Karoui, University of the South Jordyn Gaurkee, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Emiliana Lopez, University of Wisconsin - Madison Zach Atkins, University of Wisconsin - Parkside Madison Hale, University of Wisconsin-Superior
  • update-img-new

    Get updates on what's new in the Campus Compact Network