Cassandra Griffin
University of Nebraska OmahaCassandra Griffin is a leader in service to her community. Ms. Griffin, a sophomore at the University of Nebraska Omaha, is an outstanding campus and community leader who is fully committed to addressing barriers to citizen engagement through informed voting, public policy and helping area nonprofits increase their capacity to carry out their mission through mobilizing community volunteers. Her passion can be seen out in the community as she leads large groups of volunteers during campus Service Days to behind the scenes when working with community organizations to develop strategies to engage and educate the electorate so they can be more informed in making decisions that will impact their daily lives. A thoughtful and empathetic leader, Ms. Griffin can often be found mentoring student employees in the Office of Civic and Social Responsibility and has been praised for her dedication to ensuring the needs of those she works with are met in a compassionate manner. Ms. Griffin has left a lasting mark on our campus and community and plans to continue this work into the future.
Personal Statement
I have been passionate about politics and how getting involved can improve people's lives from a young age. That enthusiasm has yet to fade, but fortunately, I get in significantly fewer arguments on playgrounds. I have learned over the years that politics are not separate from the things we consider important -- all too often policy has a direct role in deciding who matters and who doesn't. I am currently the Social Justice Service Supervisor for The Collaborative, an organization on UNO's campus that emphasizes the importance of community involvement through working with non-profit organizations. Through the office, I am a Public Affairs intern for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and Planned Parenthood Voters of Nebraska. I help coordinate volunteers, do research on pertinent issues relating to candidates and policy, and more. Through my work with the Nebraska Civic Engagement Table, I worked on a deep canvassing project that sought to connect with often overlooked residents of North Omaha. Outside of non-profit work, I have been very involved in local political campaigns and parties as well.