Ian Malesiewski

University of Miami

Ian Malesiewski is a junior at the University of Miami and majors in Neuroscience with minors in Public Health, Chemisty, and Philosophy. Mr. Malesiewski embodies the qualities of a Newman Civic Fellow. He has transcended his own personal life-altering experiences to help his local community by advocating for individuals with disabilities. Most notably, he serves as the president and founder of the DefIANT Scholars Program, which works to assist students with disabilities attend college. By being a model student and an engaged civic leader, he effectively inspires others to be a catalyst for positive change and strive for equality in the disability community.

Julio Frenk
President
University of Miami

Personal Statement

In 2016, I suffered a traumatic neck/spinal cord injury that left me paralyzed from the chest down. This accident has robbed me of my ability to walk, write, and live a typical life as a college student. Although life-changing, this injury is the reason I am so passionate about advocating for the disability community. Specifically, I recently established the DefIANt Scholars Program, a new scholarship designed to help assist students with disabilities attend college. The DefIANt Scholars Program’s primary goal is to help financially aid the disabled community in an attempt to break down barriers, stereotypes, and misconceptions inside of the classroom. As the president of this program and a college student with a physical disability, I used my personal experiences to raise an astounding $30,000 of initial funding to support the disability community. In addition to founding this scholarship fund, I’ve also interned with multiple elected officials, nonprofits, and other disability organizations to help create more equitable educational and employment opportunities for the disability community. On-campus, I also serve as the accessibility liaison for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) council in the undergraduate Student Government, where I advocate for people with disabilities just like myself.

Ian Malesiewski
Neuroscience: 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