Erick Jenkins
East Carolina University
Erick Jenkins, a junior at East Carolina University, is a student leader interested in leadership, activism, and democratic engagement. Before arriving at ECU, he was selected as a Vote Everywhere Ambassador for the Andrew Goodman Foundation and the President of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) chapter on campus. Since he arrived on campus, Erick has committed himself to putting many of ECU's most treasured values -- public service, leadership, community engagement -- into action. Erick's passions include social justice and sustainability. He has also been heavily involved in voter registration activities on campus and in the community. Erick values his own mentors and gives back to the community through mentoring new transfers students and student leaders. He has a deep commitment to building strong communities. Erick's participation as a Newman Civic Fellow will continue ECU's strong tradition of Campus Compact involvement and reflect ECU's commitment to educating students to be engaged, thoughtful, and active citizens.
Personal Statement
At East Carolina University, I address social change and voter suppression with activism and advocacy through the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement here on campus. Volunteering my time in support of this cause is crucial because - at a deep level -- I understand the value of citizens exercising their right to vote. My involvement in leadership and community outreach is responsible for a significant personal transformation; what started as isolated activities has now evolved into a lifelong passion. The more I learned about voting rights, the more I wanted to act on this issue. Over time, more causes have sparked my interest, including healthcare and civil rights. I am proud to say that I was one of the 100,000 Americans who stood up recently in North Carolina's state capital for the Moral Monday March, calling attention to a variety of social justice issues. Though protesting is a hallmark of activism, it is also my duty to learn all that I can about law and the creation of legislation. My ultimate goal is to be more proactive rather than reactive. From my perspective, the best way I can do this is by earning a law degree and defending fellow Americans.
