Community is everything to Cora Emslie, the School of Education鈥檚 outstanding undergraduate student. Emslie grew up in Fort Collins, and she enrolled in CU 麻豆影院 specifically for the School of Education鈥檚 unique Leadership and Community Engagement major,聽one of the only degree programs of its kind聽nationwide that prepares聽ethical and culturally aware leaders who collaborate with community partners to tackle society鈥檚 big challenges.聽
Emslie鈥檚 peers and instructors in the program selected her for the outstanding graduate honors because of her passion for justice, empathy, reliability and enthusiasm. She has been an outstanding leader through her participation in the programs and the Public Achievement program, a civic engagement program that promotes聽student voice and transformative change through youth-led community activism projects.
Her youth partners聽in聽Public Achievement have taught Emslie so much about leadership and activism. She worked with a team of聽eighth graders who chose to focus聽on domestic violence this year鈥攁 project that has never been of focus in the CU 麻豆影院 Public Achievement (PA) program. Students聽wanted to bring awareness to domestic violence, and they also found it important to聽openly discussed the topic聽at any age so people don't feel alone if they or people that they love experience it. Additionally,聽Emslie worked with high schoolers,聽who chose to聽focus聽on immigrant rights and voting rights for undocumented immigrants in Lafayette, another novel topic for the PA聽program. Emslie found the students deeply care about expanding voting rights as they see the power that comes from being able to vote and voice their opinion in the local and the federal government.聽
"Working with the students in PA has taught me so much about radical and revolutionary love," she said. "Each week my students teach me how important community is and how much of an impact we can truly make in our communities. If it wasn鈥檛 for PA and all the lovely people that I聽have met through it, I would not be who I聽am today."
Emslie鈥檚聽dedication and commitment to social justice is exemplified by her exceptional record of impact. Her peers and faculty noted that she is one of the most hardworking people in the major. Her contributions embody the ethos and values of the major to 鈥渘ourish and honor the leadership and dignity of those around her such as her peers and the young people she works with.鈥� This work is often behind the scenes: to listen, ask critical questions, connect with others, ensure all voices are heard, and take on often unglamorous tasks.聽
One student stated, 鈥淐ora embodies patience and wisdom. She has helped me expand my thinking and understanding of the world. Being a witness to her leadership has taught me the value in showing up authentically. I wouldn't be who I am without our friendship because she radiates love, passion, and integrity.鈥�
In her own words
Please tell us a bit about yourself
I grew up in Fort Collins, CO and learned about the leadership program at CU 麻豆影院 on my tour of the campus. I immediately was interested after hearing about it and applied to be part of the program at CU. I chose CU for the leadership program and because it was still in state so I聽would still be close to my family. "
What is one of the lessons from your time at CU 麻豆影院 that you鈥檒l carry with you into the next chapter?
The greatest lesson that I鈥檝e learned while here is how valuable and impactful a strong community can be. Throughout my time in college I have been a part of many communities through classes, friend groups and programs that i have worked with. The community that I have found through these programs and the relationships I have fostered because of them have shown me how important finding your own community in college is.鈥�
What does graduating from CU 麻豆影院 represent for you and/or your community?
Graduating from CU 麻豆影院 represents coming to the next phase in my life. While I don鈥檛 know exactly what鈥檚 in store, I鈥檓 excited to see what comes next!鈥�
What is your best piece of advice for incoming students?
My best piece of advice is to try a lot of new and different things! Being adventurous and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone in many different ways is what college is all about and how you鈥檒l find out what your passions and interests are.鈥�
What continues to drive your passion for your work after graduation?
What drives me is community. I have found that the relationships in the communities that I聽am a part of drive me to show up and do the work that I聽am passionate about.鈥�
