Richard Lee

University of Utah

Richard leads with a collaborative approach and strives to address root causes of social issues. He builds teams that focus on the problem and search collaboratively for contributing factors before seeking solutions. He aims to engage people from diverse backgrounds and to build bridges among groups, as he knows that space for dialogue creates success. Last year he led a coalition created to improve the relationships between civilians and law enforcement in South Salt Lake City. By bringing people together to discuss difficult issues, progress was made within the community. This process established ongoing public forums that now provide residents the opportunity to address their concerns directly with the mayor and the chief of police. Richard believes that most social problems can be solved through collaboration and that fostering empathy and compassion for experiences that differ from his own keeps him focused on being helpful and respectful. Richard believes that most people have a powerful desire to improve the world; he hopes to make deeper and more sustainable efforts to address social issues by finding ways to increase the capacity and impact of community organizations. Richard is becoming a leader who is excited by collaborative change.

David Pershing
President
University of Utah

Personal Statement

I started out as a volunteer at a community center for underprivileged youth by mentoring a refugee student from Somalia. I found a promising reading program, and I started working with him regularly. I eventually saw him get over his difficulties with understanding and pronouncing English and develop appreciation for books. His success made me want to get more involved, and I started mentoring other students, mostly refugees as well. I vowed to not only help them with schoolwork, but also to feel welcomed in the U.S. I enrolled as a part-time AmeriCorps member, eventually committing to working at the local community center full-time. As a college student, I became deeply involved in projects at the Bennion Center at the University of Utah, which helped me recruit volunteers for the community center and develop a comprehensive reading program for the students. I now serve on a committee that reviews student community service proposals at the Bennion Center. I recently got to serve as a spokesperson of a coalition that aimed to improve the relationship between city officials and residents. Our efforts led to the creation of public forums where residents can directly address the mayor and the chief of police.

Richard Lee
Chemistry - Emphasis in Physics and Mathematics: Class of Fall 2018
written 2017

2017 Fellows Alphabetical by Institution

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Erica Cherian, UNC Charlotte Morgan Sweere, University of Central Arkansas Andrew Aboujaoude, University of Central Florida Jaylon Thomas, University of Central Oklahoma Akshayaa Chittibabu, University of Connecticut Marie Spence, University of Denver Nicolette Duong, University of Florida Bobbie Alcanzo, University of Great Falls Eisha Khan, University of Houston-Downtown Alexis Smyser, University of Illinois at Chicago Rudy Amaya, University of La Verne Duane Belanger, University of Maine at Fort Kent Karla Casique, University of Maryland Axel Bayingana, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Sophia Lopresti, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Andrew King, University of Massachusetts Boston Callie Nunez, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Luiza Kinzerska-Martinez, University of Miami Nadine Jawad, University of Michigan Zachary Hayes, University of Michigan - Flint Gemechu Mekonnen, University of Minnesota Madison Bick, University of Missouri - St. Louis Isabel Langlois, University of Montana Shayla McGregor, University of Montana Western Sophie Ramsey, University of Mount Union Jimmy Nguyen, University of Nebraska at Omaha Shannon Bodeau, University of North Carolina Asheville Cristian Ramos, University of North Georgia Karina Judith Ortega, University of North Texas at Dallas Melanie Majeed, University of Northern Iowa Sarah Tomas Morgan, University of Notre Dame Anea Moore, University of Pennsylvania Hashaam Jamil, University of Pittsburgh Wila Matos, University of Rhode Island Edgar Chavarria, University of San Diego Emery Smith, University of South Carolina Isaac Miles, University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) Corinne Tucker, University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee Richard Lee, University of Utah Rena Newman, University of Wisconsin - Madison Bianca Ruffolo, University of Wisconsin - Parkside Joanna (Jo) Niswonger, University of Wisconsin Colleges Yessenia Santamaria, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
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