From the president
Barclay Zislin, a junior at Tulane University, works tirelessly to build a culture of civic engagement and respectful discourse at Tulane and in the wider community. He has particularly distinguished himself as a Civic Engagement Fellow with Tulane’s Center for Public Service (CPS). He created the Civic Engagement Newsletter and grew it from an individual project into a team-based effort that educates students about becoming engaged citizens. He spearheaded a two-day Civic Connections Networking event that drew over 70 students and alumni. In partnership with CPS, he has developed a variety of resources on campus including a new Civic Engagement Fellowship. These resources will provide an infrastructure to support student leaders long after Barclay has graduated. Tulane’s motto is non sibi sed suis: not for oneself, but for one’s own. Barclay epitomizes our motto through his dedication to building a more civically engaged community and a more respectful society.
Personal Statement
While most often advocacy is characterized by politicians, researchers, and diplomats, I have found that advocacy first starts at the individual level. Through working on campaigns, volunteering with local community groups, and my experiences working with NGOs on the Hill, I learned that change starts from the ground up. I have worked tirelessly to help de-mystify the political process to promote civic engagement within my community. While at Tulane University, this drive has materialized in my concrete efforts to promote engagement. Whether through disseminating a campus-wide newsletter focused on political participation or by expanding our voting network by utilizing our bus routes, I hope to inspire at least one person to vote, volunteer, or simply talk amongst peers. In addition to my work in civic engagement, I have promoted political participation by hosting various discussions and events focused on making contentious issues more approachable. In turn, I aim to encourage a robust civic society on my campus and beyond that is open to any and every individual regardless of background, field of study, or career.