Keshia Maryat’s drive and passion for civic engagement to address poverty and economic inequality began during her high school career. Keshia traveled to Dakar, Senegal with the organization International Youth Leadership Institute where she learned about the Senegalese culture and received a first hand view of “poverty”. During her time there she donated books and school supplies to local high schools, teaching high school students basic English. This engagement Influenced Keshia’s decision to major in Public Health and minor in Anthropology. She has taken part in the annual Nazareth College Public Health Week, educating college students on public health issues. Through Keshia’s coursework she participated in the annual Hunger Banquet, served through Operation Homeless and engaged in community based research with the A Point in Time study addressing homelessness. She works as a tutor/mentor and leader for the Partners For Learning (PFL) program, providing students with opportunities to gain access to equitable educational support. Keshia is creating a partnership with PFL, Nazareth College Athletics and Hope Hall Athletics to provide support for after-school sports programs. Her future goals are to work on community wide public health initiatives by providing research, funding, training, and strategic direction.