2014-Leah Godin
Leah Godin
Thesis: Women’s Lives in Prison: An Exploration of Prison Programming and Reentry
300 Word Statement
The most profound gift that Lafayette has given me is the power and confidence to believe in myself. I have been encouraged by peers, faculty, and staff to be myself; to explore and engage in things that are an expression of who I am and what I’m passionate about. Not everyone can say they have found such encouragement and support throughout their college experience.
The activities and accomplishments of all Pepper Prize nominees speak volumes for themselves. Each Lafayette student has a story and a passion, and it has been an honor to be surrounded by them over the past four years. My accomplishments are a product of intellectual, social, and emotional growth, wherein the passion of my peers, professors, and mentors has ignited a spark of passion and drive in me. The beauty of Lafayette is that each and every student who pursues a passion embodies the ideal student. My passion has been revealed through playing Bingo with Chuck, a senior citizen, every Thursday at the Easton Area Senior Center, and while having a moment of connection with my Best Buddy Matt, a 43-year old man with an intellectual disability, and also through weekly visits to the Northampton County Prison to spend time with the female inmates. The ways in which I have represented Lafayette may not have been the most flashy or prestigious, but to me, the smaller moments of personal connection have been the ways in which I feel most proud to represent Lafayette.
At Lafayette I have been challenged to always ask why, pushed to expand my horizons, and to believe that I have the ability to make a difference in my own way. I have learned that Lafayette nurtures and challenges each individual to grow. The result is the creation of truly passionate people.
Academic Activities/Awards – Total Years Involved
Dean’s List 3
Paul Bernon Memorial Prize in Sociology 1
Awarded each year by the faculty in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology to the graduating senior(s) most outstanding in sociology.
Order of Omega 2
Order of Omega is a leadership honor society for fraternity/sorority members. Order of Omega recognizes juniors and seniors who have exemplified high standards in the areas of scholarship, leadership, involvement within their respective organization and within the fraternity/sorority, campus, and local communities. Members are selected from the top 3% of students at each institution.
Study Abroad in Pune, India 1
Completed a 7-week program with the Alliance for Global Education. Studied at Fergusson College in Pune, India. Completed coursework in Contemporary Indian Culture and an internship. Lived with a host family.
Honors Thesis 1
The purpose of my thesis is to collect and compile information about the current reality of prison programming for women, reentry resources and services available, and whether or not programming is adequately designed to enable successful reentry for incarcerated women. I am completing research and gathering data about prison programming, gender-specific programming, reentry resources and services, and reentry best practices. I am conducting interviews in a local jail with inmates, prison employees, and other outside organizations that serve incarcerated women as well. For joint honors in Anthropology & Sociology and Women’s & Gender Studies.
Recipient of the Susan Basow Prize in Women’s & Gender Studies 1
The prize goes to a student who has made a significant contribution to the field of Women’s and Gender Studies in a way deemed worthy by a selection committee. This contribution might include a research or service project, independent study or paper, or another type of activity that increases our knowledge of Women’s and Gender Studies or improves the lives of those disadvantaged by their gender.
Campus Service/Activities and Awards – Total Years Involved
Residence Hall Council 1
Served as representative of Kamine Hall during first year at Lafayette. Planned dorm activities and events.
Lafayette Leadership Institute 2
Attended LLI for selected students during first year at Lafayette. Learned about various leadership practices and listened to different speakers. During my senior year I was selected as a student presenter to present a 50-minute workshop about the Social Change Model of Leadership to other students.
Community-Based Learning & Research Expo 1
During my sophomore year I served as a student representative at the Community-Based Learning & Research Expo, explaining the purpose and experience of the WGS 249 course: Women In the U.S. Criminal Justice System. The course takes place at the Northampton County Prison comprised of Lafayette students and female inmate students learning together.
Alpha Phi Sorority 3
During Spring 2012-Fall 2012 I served as the Director of Marketing Alpha Phi (MAP). The position entailed serving as part of the recruitment team. From Spring 2013-Fall 2013 I served as Chapter President. I managed 6 Vice Presidents and 21 other elected and appointed officers. I was responsible for upholding and implementing Alpha Phi International Fraternity and chapter-specific policies and served as a member of the Executive Board and Judiciary Board. I acted as liaison between the Eta Sigma chapter and school officials, as well as completed tasks assigned by the International Office. I carried out historical rituals and upheld chapter values.
MLK Memorial Luncheon 1
Selected as a student speaker to present on an “unsung female hero” of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.
Pecha Kucha Leadership Theory Presentation 1
Selected as a co-presenter to discuss the Social Change Model of Leadership; awarded prize for “Most Thorough Synthesis of Theory.”
Community Service – Total Years Involved
Landis Staff Program Coordinator 4
For 7 semesters I have coordinated two volunteer programs that work with senior citizens in the Easton community: Adopt-a-Grandparent at the Easton Area Senior Center and Art for the Young at Heart at the Easton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. I have coordinated anywhere between 20-60 student volunteers. I recruit volunteers, provide training, educate volunteers about social issues, and facilitate reflection sessions. I attend monthly staff meetings, organize program activities, attend programs weekly, and work at least one office hour weekly.
Holiday Helpers Gift Drive 3
As part of my responsibilities for Landis Staff I helped coordinate one large team project per semester, specifically Holiday Helpers. I assisted with coordinating gift collection from Lafayette College faculty, staff, and students for local families to benefit the Nurse Family Partnership, Family Development Research Program, mother and children from Easton High School, and Roofover Shelter during the holiday season. Over the past 3 years our team has collected and distributed approximately 900 gifts.
Pre-Orientation Service Program (POSP) 4
POSP is a program designed to introduce incoming first-year students to the Easton/Phillipsburg community through community service. The goal is to excite students about civic engagement, community service models, and jump-start their college volunteering experience through the Landis Community Outreach Center. As a first-year student I participated in POSP as part of the Easton Area Senior Center camp. As a sophomore I served as the Assistant Director/Director of First-Year Students. I was responsible for all marketing of the program including communications materials. I was in charge of recruiting potential participants via multimedia methods. I also coordinated pairings of 60 total returning leaders and incoming participants as well as assisted program Director with all tasks. As a senior I served as POSP’s Assistant Director. I assisted the Director in managing details of 60 student participants throughout 5 service/sites and three days of campus activities.
Landis Leadership Fellowship 1
During the Summer of 2012 I served as one of five Landis Fellows for the Landis Center. I learned and discussed effective leadership practices, volunteered in the community with various organizations, and coordinated Lafayette’s Pre-Orientation Service Program for 36 incoming first-year students to engage in service work.
Alternative School Break Club (ASB) 3
ASB is a club dedicated to creating a just society through service trips to various parts of the US and even other countries. There is a heavy emphasis on an education-direct service-reflection model that creates a quality community service experience. I participated in a trip to Nicaragua to learn about fair trade and economic policies there, as well as a trip to Washington D.C. to learn more about hunger and homelessness issues.
Best Buddies 4
Best Buddies is an international non-profit. Lafayette has a chapter that is run through the Landis Community Outreach Center. I serve as a college buddy and am paired with a man in the Easton community who has an intellectual and mental disability. We attend chapter events together and go bowling, talk on the phone, etc.
Make-A-Difference Day & Lafapalooza 4
I have participated in various one-time service opportunities at Lafayette over my 4 years. I have painted local businesses, completed yard work/painting at the Easton Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, trimmed trees in Phillipsburg, NJ, and weeded community gardens. I have served as a site leader twice.
Various Landis Program Volunteering 1
Participated in volunteering at the Safe Harbor Homeless Shelter in Easton for Fall 2010 semester. Volunteered at the Journey Home Art Therapy Program for women inmates in the work-release program at the Northampton County Prison for Fall 2010-Spring 2011.
Youth Empowerment Day 1
Served as a volunteer group leader for a group of kids from Easton and New York City participating in the Youth Empowerment Day Program at Lafayette.
SPCA of Easton & March School Babysitting 3
As part of Alpha Phi I have volunteered at the SPCA in Easton, playing with cats and dogs in the shelter. I have also volunteered as a babysitter at the March School during PTA meetings.
Athletics Activity/Award – Total Years Involved
Special Interest – Total Years Involved
The Vagina Monologues 1
Performed in this play by Eve Ensler in February 2012. Performance benefitted the Turning Point of Lehigh Valley and the Beginning Over Foundation, both of which provide services to victims of domestic violence. The performance was sponsored by the Association of Lafayette Feminists.
Philadelphia Mayor’s Office of Grants Externship 1
Completed this externship in January 2013: 3-day experience. I shadowed the Assistant to the Chief Grants Officer of Philadelphia. I attended staff meetings, financing meetings for current grant projects, met with City officials in various departments of public service, and spoke with employees of City non-profits.
Internship at Sahyog Trust – Human Rights & Law Defenders 1
7-week internship completed for this human rights-based, pro-bono law and legal service firm. Researched Probation of Offenders Act and created a questionnaire and interview guide to gauge Indian lawyers’ utilization of the Act. Completed interviews, analyzed results of questionnaire responses, and completed a final report to be used in their future advocacy and educational sessions for lawyers and interns.
Internship at Northampton County Department of Corrections 1
Served as a Reentry Counselor Intern.
Worked with female inmates to assist with needs for reentry.
Researched job opportunities, housing options, and resources for public services in the community.
Met with prison case managers and attended Northampton County Reentry Coalition Meetings.
Traditional Madhubani Painting Lessons 1
A component of my study-abroad experience in India was cultural expression. I took Madhubani, a traditional form of Indian painting, lessons during my 7-week experience.