Brianna Silva

University of Richmond

As a journalism and political science double major and Bonner Scholar at the University of Richmond, Brianna Silva has dedicated her service to supporting Latinx communities in Richmond and across the country with passion and creativity. Brianna’s internships with the Latin American Legal Defense & Education Fund and Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood Kindness Project, as well as her mentor role with the Scholars Latino Initiative, are demonstrative of her extraordinary commitment to Latinx communities. She has also devoted significant energy during the pandemic to supporting and empowering individuals and families in her hometown of Princeton, NJ, and here in Richmond, including initiatives that have secured resources for local food banks and donated free masks to her communities.

Ronald Crutcher
President
University of Richmond

Personal Statement

Growing up in an undocumented household, I saw firsthand the difficult and hidden lives of immigrants. It was not until I was accepted into the Bonner Scholars Program, where I commit 10 hours of weekly service, that I began to pursue an interest in immigration. In combination with my double majors in Political Science and Journalism, I was able to connect my classroom knowledge to the people I served at various non-profits from the Latin American Legal Defense and Education Fund where I learned about our broken immigration system. Or, the International Rescue Committee where I gained knowledge on the global refugee and migration crisis. To the Scholar’s Latino Initiative where I oversee a high school mentoring program to cultivate the minds of the next Latinx leaders. Through each opportunity, I became more invested in helping immigrants live a good quality of life (food security, financial resources, access to education...etc.). Now, I am hoping to start a municipal ID program in Richmond, VA to help address the gap between federal and local immigration policy. Having seen first-hand the effects of our immigration system, it is important for local communities to step in when federal policy has failed.

Brianna Silva
Political Science and Journalism: Class of 22-May
written 2021

2021 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
Salma Yajaira Gómez Pineda, Universidad de Monterrey Daniel Khoshkepazi, University of Baltimore Mansi Seth, University of California Berkeley Emma Davis, University of Central Arkansas Victoria Orindas Corcino, University of Central Florida Sai Reddy, University of Cincinnati Areyana Janae-Andrea Proctor, University of Colorado Boulder Irene Soteriou, University of Connecticut Ryan Greensfelder, University of Dayton Nicole Kennedy, University of Delaware Jenny Truong, University of Denver Miguel Garcia, University of Houston-Downtown Courtney Washington, University of Illinois at Chicago Celena Zacchai, University of Maine at Augusta Brandon Reed, University Of Maine at Farmington Callie Jordan, University of Mary Washington Ayotomiwa Fashola, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Faith Davis, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Gifty Kessie, University of Massachusetts Lowell Ian Malesiewski, University of Miami Isabella DeArmitt, University of Missouri-St. Louis Mia McKinney, University of Montana Allison Hrovat, University of Mount Union Vanessa Chavez Jurado, University of Nebraska at Omaha Lauren Martin, University of North Carolina Charlotte Justin Bray, University of North Georgia Jerrell Bates, University of Northern Iowa Caitlyn Cano, University of Notre Dame Anjali Mishra, University of Oregon Alisa Ghura, University of Pennsylvania Brianna Silva, University of Richmond Kapri Tulang-De Silva, University of San Diego Jada Curry, University of San Francisco Daniela Isaza, University of South Carolina Upstate Sophia Faacks, University of St. Thomas Hannah Beauchamp-Pope, University of Wisconsin Green Bay Beth Allen, University of Wisconsin-Madison Alisson Anguiano Salas, University of Wisconsin-Parkside Jessica Smith, University of Wisconsin-Superior
  • update-img-new

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