Autumn Cunningham
Northampton Community College
Autumn Cunningham, a second year student majoring in communications studies at Northampton Community College (NCC), plays a vital role in NCC's continuous commitment to civic responsibility and leadership. Autumn currently serves as the Student Representative in Campus Democratic Engagement Coalition (CDEC) - a nonpartisan campus workgroup that implement initiatives that encourage NCC students to be informed and engaged citizens. During the 2020 presidential election, Autumn advocated for participation in civic engagement by assisting students to register to vote; getting people to the poll, and distributing non partisan election resources and information on important election dates and deadlines and overall electoral process. She has also demonstrated an ability to think of ideas, such as integrating voter engagement in the NCCGo App and distributing election related flyers in the residence halls. In her Intercultural Communication class, she exhibited creativity and passion for addressing social justice issues and political polarization by speaking with her classmates about the importance of being civically engaged. Autumn’s interactions with other students have given her a sense of purpose and improved her commitment to be an agent of social change.
Personal Statement
As a student at Northampton Community College (NCC), it is my duty to civically engage my fellow students, faculty, and staff. I also believe that it is my civic responsibility to ensure all students are getting the help they require in the areas of volunteerism, registering to vote, understanding the types of ballots, and learn where and what counties they have to vote in. My experience as a student has helped me learn, grow, and become a part of a community that seeks to help and guide others. Through my involvement within the college, I realized the great deal of work that we do for our campus and community behind the scenes that most people may not even realize. We help register students to vote and educate students, faculty, and staff members on the importance of exercising their civic duties. A quote that was recited to me a long time ago, originally said by Mahatma Gandhi, reads ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world’. NCC is my first step in beginning my chain of change and I am ever so grateful for accepting all of the wonderful opportunities that have come my way.
