Celena Zacchai

University of Maine at Augusta

Celena Zacchai has demonstrated resilience, commitment, and leadership in her time at the University of Maine at Augusta. A senior in the Social Science program, Ms. Zacchai has dedicated herself to improving her community. She served as a tutor with VAWLT, the UMA Writing Lab. She conducted research on housing affordability, a strong area of interest for her, as the 2020 UMA Maine Policy Scholar. She was chosen to be the student speaker at the 2020 Convocation ceremony, where Ms. Zacchai spoke to the polarization affecting our country. Soon thereafter, she took action by co-organizing a discussion series on campus focused on civil discourse and the partisan divide. Ms. Zacchai is an exemplary student and community member. We are proud to have her represent UMA as a Newman Civic Fellow.

Rebecca Wyke
President
University of Maine at Augusta

Personal Statement

Although I didn’t have the words for it when I was growing up, I saw the effects of socioeconomic inequality all around me. I knew it was no coincidence that the public housing complex shared a fence line with an oil refinery, the dangerous neighborhoods were the ones with dilapidated buildings, and the best schools were surrounded by big, beautiful homes with well-kept yards. I chose to pursue a degree in the Social Sciences because I want to help make a difference. Since beginning my studies, I have become increasingly interested in environmental racism, the impact of physical space on health and well-being, and affordable housing issues. Last year, I had the honor of representing the University of Maine at Augusta as a Maine Policy Scholar—a program that challenged me to confront my fears of public speaking and taught me a lot about policy research and the legislative process. My experience as a Policy Scholar gave me a window into the ways everyday citizens can impact policy. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to develop the leadership skills I will need to be an effective agent for change as a Newman Civic Fellow.

Celena Zacchai
Social Science: Class of 22-May
written 2021

2021 Fellows Alphabetical by Institution

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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
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