Hello! My name is Alysia Colon and I am a recipient of the Frederick Public Service Award. Although I’m from Hackensack, New Jersey, I have spent some time in Florida as well, and now I am taking on Pittsburgh! I am a rising junior majoring in Public Service, minoring in Sociology and Hispanic Culture and Language, and I am in the certificate program for Latin American Studies. On campus I am involved with Black Action Society, which I interned for my freshman year, and Some of God’s Children Gospel Choir, which ministers on campus and in surrounding churches in Pittsburgh. This past year at home I have been heavily involved with grassroots organizing of local protests in my area, as well as volunteering for a local election. In my free time, I enjoy performing, baking, and most importantly, reading!

As someone who has always loved to learn, and truly values the importance of a quality education, I strive to make a career out of helping education become more equitable in the United States and around the world. For me, this starts with nonprofit work, and may eventually lead to me becoming a teacher myself. Additionally, I am considering creating my own nonprofit once I’ve gained enough experience and support to provide education support worldwide. After graduation, I plan on traveling and working with international nonprofits as I go to better understand how school systems work outside of the US and learn how I can be of service to underprivileged students.

This upcoming summer I will be interning with the Harlem Educational Activities Fund, which helps underserved students in Harlem, Queens, and Brooklyn, New York. I hope this internship will provide me with experience in nonprofit management and allow me to network with leaders in this field, as well as connect with the students I will be potentially assisting to become a better listener and leader myself. I chose this internship, because they effectively do the work that I would like to focus my career on by helping students grow from middle school throughout college, and giving them enriching opportunities to grow as individuals and as citizens of our community.

I cannot wait to begin this new experience, and I am even more excited to see the person and leader it will transform me into. I would like to thank Mr. David C. Frederick and the award advisors for their tremendous help in getting me here, and pushing me forward in my career!