Lina Tori Jan

University of Richmond

Shaped by her experiences growing up a Hazara minority in war-torn Afghanistan, Lina Tori Jan has become a student leader and visionary at the University of Richmond. She is committed to addressing issues of inequality and to advocating tirelessly for the rights of others. Tori Jan is a leadership studies and political science double major and a Bonner Scholar. In her first year at the University, she began volunteering with the International Rescue Committee (IRC), supporting refugees from across the globe. Seeking deeper knowledge about and connection to state government and policy, Tori Jan began volunteering with the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth last semester. As an intern, she supports the Governor's Restoration of Rights program, helping to restore civil rights to individuals who are released from incarceration.

Dr. Ronald Crutcher
President
University of Richmond

Personal Statement

My first exposure to the root causes of social issues was in Afghanistan, where I grew up in the midst of war. The Taliban stripped many people of their right to participate in society, confining one of the fundamental values a person can have. They shut down schools, burnt books, falsely accused and imprisoned individuals, and prohibited women and minority groups from public appearance. This experience ignited the desire to transcend social boundaries and fight for my right to education while advocating for the rights of others through community service.

In Afghanistan, I volunteered at a literacy class where I taught women the basics of reading and writing in Dari. As a Bonner Scholar at the University of Richmond, I taught an ESL and a Mommy-and-Me class for refugees and immigrants at the International Rescue Committee. My current internship with the Department of Restoration of Rights focuses on restoring rights to convicted felons. When an individual restores their right to vote, they have an opportunity to create a new life by regaining a power they had lost: their voice.

Working with different marginalized groups has taught me the importance of being proactive in addressing issues related to human rights.

Lina Tori Jan
Leadership Studies and Political Science: Class of 2020
written 2019

2019 Fellows Alphabetical by Institution

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Sarah Lutes, UNC Asheville Seda Sahin, Univeristy of Connecticut Bernardo Villarreal Rodríguez, Universidad de Monterrey Elizabeth Paige, University of Baltimore Itzel Velazquez, University of Central Arkansas Jordan Borenstein, University of Central Florida Hunter Caudillo, University of Central Oklahoma Delali Nenonene, University of Dayton April Singleton, University of Delaware Amanda Wittebort, University of Denver Mikaela Lopez, University of Houston-Downtown Nicolas Robledo, University of Illinois at Chicago Natalie Benson, University of Indianapolis Jocelyn Roof, University of Iowa Kaitlyn Frick, University of Kentucky Dyamond Gray, University of La Verne Sarah Nichols, University of Maine at Augusta Maheen Haq, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Madison LaCure, University of Massachusetts - Boston Marvens Pierre, University of Massachusetts Amherst Elizabeth Anusauskas, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Twisha Mohapatra, University of Massachusetts Lowell Shravya Jasti, University of Miami Jalen Rose, University of Michigan-Dearborn Robert Harper, University of Minnesota Danielle Friz, University of Missouri - St. Louis Daisy Ward, University of Montana Adrianna Pittman, University of Montana Western Lizbeth Perez Hernandez, University of Nebraska Omaha Kaitlin Griffin, University of New Hampshire Joyce Yao, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Yesika Sorto Andino, University of North Carolina at Charlotte Adriana Zarate, University of North Georgia Hector Robledo, University of North Texas at Dallas Sashay Carroll, University of Northern Iowa Carson Ball, University of Oklahoma Carter Gale, University of Pennsylvania John Farris, University of Redlands Mary-Kate McGeary, University of Rhode Island Lina Tori Jan, University of Richmond Nina Schneider, University of San DIego Nyteia Tyler, University of San Francisco Karen Padilla, University of South Carolina Beaufort Danica Leaphart, University of South Carolina, Columbia Shaneika Bowra, University of the District of Columbia Livia Karoui, University of the South Jordyn Gaurkee, University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Emiliana Lopez, University of Wisconsin - Madison Zach Atkins, University of Wisconsin - Parkside Madison Hale, University of Wisconsin-Superior
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