Nasitta Keita

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Nasitta Keita is a first-year student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus who has quickly distinguished herself as someone actively working to make positive change on and off campus. During her first semester, she turned her experience in a service-learning political science class into an opportunity to help 4th and 5th graders in a low-income neighborhood learn about government and social issues and learn how to organize their ideas into suggested resolutions for our local city council. At the same time, Nasitta has become actively involved in inclusion and equity efforts on our campus, including working with a small group of other students to implement a "shadow day" in which prospective students of color spend a day with current students to become familiar with our campus and recognize the community that exists for them here. She has gone out of her way to make the most of her college experience as a stepping-stone toward understanding herself and identifying lasting mechanisms for social change.

Ms Rebecca M Blank
Chancellor
University of Wisconsin-Madison

Personal Statement

Growing up in Madison, WI, I only attended schools that were predominately white. I decided to cope with being looked at as an 'other' by assimilating to a culture that wasn't mine, and ignoring the injustices I was facing because of my racial status. My junior year of high school I was chosen to attend the Minority Student Achievement Network (MSAN). While I was there, I had the opportunity to connect with a diverse group of people and discuss the achievement gaps in our states. I was always told to fight for what breaks my heart, and after MSAN I realized that I needed to make my contribution to fighting the ongoing battle for social change. At UW­Madison, I've continued my social justice work by joining the Equity and Inclusion committee, and interning with a local Alder. The committee focuses on drafting action plans to make the climate on campus better for underrepresented groups. My work with an Alder gives elementary schoolers a voice in their futures. We've done this by teaching them about social issues through dialogue. Being civically engaged has changed my life, and I'm excited to see the changes to my community that'll happen because of it.

Nasitta Keita
Psychology and Human Resource Management: Class of 2019
written 2016

2016 Fellows Alphabetical by Institution

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Karmen Kurtz, UNC Asheville Erin Coggins, UNC Charlotte Juan Emilio García Estrada, Universidad de Monterrey Sonce Reese, University of Baltimore Lillian McEntire, University of Central Arkansas Katie Richard, University of Central Oklahoma Joshua Higginbotham, University of Charleston Elizabeth Charash, University of Connecticut Kayla J. McLaughlin, University of Dayton Ciera Kathryn Blehm, University of Denver Andy Garcia, University of Florida Brittany Shipman, University of Great Falls Rima Nimri, University of Illinois at Chicago Maribel Hernandez, University of La Verne Benjamin Webster, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Rachael Parran, University of Maryland, Baltimore Max Poole, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Joel Colon, University of Massachusetts Boston Chris LaPorte, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Alexis Musick, University of Miami Hawa Ali, University of Minnesota Rochester Daniel Mueller, University of Missouri - St. Louis Mackenzie Lombardi, University of Montana Katelyn Gonczy, University of Mount Union Antonio Campbell, University of Nebraska Omaha Zachary Bolster, University of New Hampshire Michael Elliott, University of New Hampshire - Manchester John Blessing, University of North Georgia Shelby Yates, University of Northern Iowa Caitlin Hodges, University of Notre Dame Jeffrey Wiseman, University of Pennsylvania Ian Kanterman, University of Rhode Island Jennifer Paradis, University of Saint Joseph Jessica Villa, University of San Francisco Theresa M. Lacey, University of South Carolina Beaufort Cindy Kuo, University of Utah Mirella Espino, University of Wisconsin Colleges-University of Wisconsin-Extension Nasitta Keita, University of Wisconsin-Madison Marley Uran, University of Wisconsin-Parkside
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