Lauren Bernard
Johns Hopkins University
Lauren Bernard is a third-year student at Johns Hopkins University pursuing a BA in Public Health and a secondary major in the History of Science, Medicine, and Technology. At Hopkins, Lauren is a student leader active in building community and civic engagement. For the last three years, she has worked closely with community partners in Baltimore such as Keswick MultiCare Center and 29th Street Community Center to organize events and programs that support Baltimoreans' mental health and wellbeing, including organizing an annual Carnival for Baltimore City Public School students. She has also worked tirelessly to educate and mobilize her peers as they become more engaged in Baltimore City.
Personal Statement
Growing up in Kansas City, I felt most fulfilled when I was volunteering with other youth in my community through a nonprofit called Youth Volunteer Corps. As I got older, I learned more about the systemic issues affecting Kansas City residents including food insecurity, homelessness, and education inequalities. These issues I realized were not unique to one city, and in college I realized I wanted to help other students become more educated about the issues around us. Thus, I have facilitated service trainings, reflections, and simulations to support undergraduates' understanding of Baltimore City. I have also served as a Service Pre-orientation Trip Facilitator and Student Ambassador Board Member to the Center for Social Concern. I currently lead Hopkins' largest service organization, Alpha Phi Omega, as a Vice President of Service to empower peers in their direct service with over thirty nonprofits. I am involved in community building efforts to create fellowship amongst residents of Keswick Multi-Care Center and curate special events for the Center such as annual holiday caroling.
