Maggie Sullivan
University of Massachusetts DartmouthMaggie Sullivan a Junior at UMass Dartmouth, is a champion for access to education. For the last three years she has worked closely with our “college positive” program that brings all seventh graders from Fall River and New Bedford on our campus for student led tours. As a Sophomore she became the lead coordinator of the program and this year she has been a founding member of a project that brings college students to the middle schools to connect basketball and dancing to social emotional learning. Maggie is a political science major, member of the honors program and Chancellors’s list all semesters.
Personal Statement
I first became enamored with civic engagement in high school when I became a member of the Boston Mayor’s Youth Council. It was there where I learned the power of volunteering and how even just one person can make positive change. The one issue I always found myself being drawn to was ensuring quality education for all as I believe it has the potential to be the ultimate equalizer.
My first year in college I volunteered as a tour guide for the College Positive Tours we offer to 7th grade students from Fall River and New Bedford at my college. On these tours it was my job to show that college is a fun and exciting investment in your future. Through interacting with students and teachers, I became aware of how many students do not believe they will ever go to college, mostly due to financial reasons. Since the beginning of my sophomore year I now coordinate these tours – scheduling, planning, and overseeing each one. Interacting with these students are the best part of my week, as I know that each tour is an opportunity to change a student’s mindset regarding college which could potentially change their life.