2018-Karla Talley

Karla Talley

First Major: Government and Law major
Second Major: English major with writing concentration

300 Word Statement

Four years ago, I stepped onto campus wondering how I could make the most of my time and challenge myself and my new community to excel. I wondered how I, an introvert, could find my voice. But more importantly, I became determined to find ways to give those who have been silenced and ignored more opportunities to be heard. The Lafayette Ideal involves working with students, faculty, and staff to make a difference on and off campus. With collaboration and perseverance, we are capable of making meaningful change – and this is exactly what I’ve strived to do as a student leader. I came into Lafayette with the support of my mentor and Posse. Having a community that advocated for me helped me realize that not every student has this same support system. Recognizing this motivated me to put myself in leadership positions where I could empower others by amplifying student voices and pushing for institutional change. Whether I am serving on the board of Black Collegians helping plan events and facilitating discussions about race and intersectionality, leading a service trip to educate others on how to raise awareness about domestic sex trafficking, mentoring students from Madagascar who apply to American colleges, or serving on the Equity, Transformation, and Accountability board to advocate for better resources and policies for current and future students – I have worked fervently to use the lessons I’ve gained from Lafayette to make change that transcends beyond my four years here. After graduation, I will be working with Legal Aid Society of D.C., a premier legal services organization that provides free legal representation to individuals who live below the poverty line. Lafayette’s passionate community ignited a fire inside of me to use my voice for good, and to encourage others to do the same.

Academic Activities/Awards – Total Years Involved

  • Posse Scholar Leadership and Engagement Award

This award is given annually to two senior Posse Scholars, one from NY and one from DC, who have made outstanding contributions to the Lafayette community through their engagement and leadership within the college and/or surrounding communities. Engagement in academic endeavors such as EXCEL scholar work, internships, honors thesis, or research projects will be considered, as will participation and leadership in co-curricular activities, community-based experiences, and campus-related work.

  • Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards Nominee for First Vote in a Polarized Age Election Broadcast (1)

Received a Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards Nomination for on-camera role as Results Anchor in the Election Broadcast. Collaborated with student and faculty members to help create material for the student-run live broadcast on election night that aired to over 2.6 million viewers on PBS39; Served as the on-camera results anchor who gave updates to viewers throughout election night on the results for the 3 senate seats, the 435 house seats, and the presidential race, while moderating the discussions between the Democratic and Republican student analysis.

  • Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society Member (1)

Membership in Pi Sigma Alpha is limited to students who have demonstrated interest in Political Science and who meet the following academic standards: Completion of at least six Government and Law courses (including three courses at or above the 200 level); attainment or at least a 3.45 cumulative average in courses within the department of Government and Law; and, scholarship sufficient to place the student in the top-third of his/her College class.

  • Posse Foundation Full-Tuition Leadership Scholarship (4)

I am a proud member of Posse D.C. 9. Posse is a four year full-tuition scholarship granted to students in their senior year of high school based on their unique leadership skills and ability and determination to excel. This scholarship is in partnership with Lafayette College, and requires a group of 10 scholars to undergo weekly training before coming to campus to prepare for being a leader on campus.

  • Dean’s List (4)

Dean’s List is awarded to students achieving at least a 3.60 during the semester. I have been honored to be on the Dean’s List Fall 2014, Spring 2015, Fall 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, and Fall 2017.

  • Externship (1)

I had the amazing opportunity to return to my home county and extern for alumnus, County Council-member Vice Chair Todd Turner. During this experience, I was able to learn about local government, learn about issues affecting constituents of my hometown, and learn more about what it takes to be an effective public servant.

Campus Services/Activities and Awards – Total Years Involved

  • Association of Black Collegians (Executive Board Member) (4)

The Association of Black Collegians is an organization that regularly holds discussions and events about race and intersectionality. I have been an involved member since my freshman year, and have been a member of the executive board serving as secretary since my junior year (currently serving as secretary).

  • Resident Advisor (3)

I have served as a resident advisor since my sophomore year. As a RA, I have helped foster and build residential community relationships for first year students to ease the transition into college, and enhance the on-campus living experiences for both domestic and international upper lever undergraduate students. I have Lead floor meetings and facilitated discussions during meetings, set community guidelines, and ensured community guidelines are being followed. In addition, I have responded to the concerns of residents and assisted with solving any issues including maintenance work orders, roommate issues, and incident reports.

  • Writing Associate (2)

I have served as a writing associate for the College’s Writing Program for two years. In this position, I have also held drop-in hours for students of any major who have come in needing assistance with any assignment. This is in addition to attending weekly meeting with staff to discuss important concerns and enhance my own ability to serve as an effective WA.

  • Standup Social Justice Blog (Editor) (2)

Serving as an editor for the StandUp Social Justice blog allowed me to assist in giving students an outlet to share voices about their experiences with topics including, but not limited to, women and LGBTQ rights, ableism, racial justice, etc. I have helped with editing and maintaining the blog, and raising awareness about various issues through writing.

  • Equity, Transformation, and Accountability Board Member (1)

After a group of students and minority organizations on campus came together to create a list of concerns that was then presented to the college President and administration, the Equity, Transformation, and Accountability Board was created. This board is made up of 13 student members from various class years, and is supported by the Dean of Equity and inclusion with hopes to advocate for better resources for current and future students. I serve as the only senior on the board and am on the Housing Committee task force.

  • McDonogh Alumni Network Student Task Group (1)

The McDonough Alumni Network is an active and engaged networking organization consisting of multiple generations of Lafayette College black alumni and students. The organization supports mentors and the current black student bosy by encouraging their academic and social progress and promotes diversity among the student body. As a member of the Student Task Group, I assisted with reaching out to alumni to attend the annual McDonough Network Spring Celebration, an event where seniors are inducted into the alumni network and celebrated, and student given awards. I also assisted with planning the ceremony and helping choose students to be honored based on award nominations.

  • Diversity Faculty Committee

As one of two students on the Diversity Faculty Committee, I worked with the faculty members on the committee for one semester to address issues concerning diversity and inclusion.

  • Fraternity and Sorority Recognition Committee

For one semester, I worked with faculty members and students on a small committee to oversee the process of recognition for Fraternities and Sororities.

  • Family Weekend Committee (Chairperson of Tours and Community) (1)

As a member on the Family Weekend Committee in 2016, I spent a year working with members to plan the Family Weekend Events, I served as chairperson of tours and community, helping plan and organize the tours that families would go on, as well as the community service aspect of the weekend.

Community Service – Total Years Involved

  • Alternative School Break (Trip Leader) (3)

Alternative School Break gives students the opportunity to learn about social justice topics in various communities, complete service work around that issue, and continue learning and spreading awareness about the issue upon returning back to campus. During my sophomore year, I was a member of the FUTURE ASB team focused on Education Reform and Immigration. I served as reflection leader for this trip, leading discussions after each day of service to help the team think about way to continue the conversation on education reform and immigration on campus. I also assisted English teachers at a public charter school in McAllen, Texas, conferencing individually with 7th grade students for their essays. In addition, I volunteered at an immigration shelter. During my junior year, I became an Executive Board member for ASB, serving as PR/Marketing coordinator. During my senior year, I became a trip leader, co-leading a trip to Miami, Florida on the issue of Domestic Sex Trafficking. During our service trip, our team had the opportunity to learn about sex trafficking and how to serve as an advocate against sex trafficking. We also had the opportunity to conduct outreach to raise awareness and volunteer at a shelter for survivors. Our team is planning a week long Sex Trafficking Awareness event.

  • Lafayette Initiative for Malagasy Education (2)

LIME is a mentoring program where a chosen team of Lafayette students work with high school students from Madagascar to help prepare them for applying to colleges in the United States. In the months leading up to our time in Madagascar, I collaborated with my team members to develop a curriculum and lesson plans for the three weeks we would spend in Madagascar instructing the students. During the time spent in Madagascar, I worked with the students by leading lessons and working in smaller groups with students to prepare them for the SAT and TOEFL exams. In addition, we helped students with personal statements and their college applications to schools in the United States. The LIME program is a one and a half year mentorship commitment that goes beyond the three weeks spent in Madagascar, including helping with fundraising and helping proofread college applications and personal statements after our return.

  • Landis Teens in the Community (1)

Served as a weekly volunteer for teens at the Easton Area Community Center for one year.

Athletics Activity/Award – Total Years Involved

  • Precision Step Team (4)

In my freshman year of college, I auditioned for the Precision Step Team even though I had no prior experience. Being a part of the step team has allowed me to work with students from all different class years to encourage one another. During my sophomore year, I became an executive board member who served as the marketing coordinator. During my fall semester of junior year before studying abroad, I served as the Vice President for the step team. Now, during my last year, I have been an active member on the team and on the Executive Board.

Special Interest – Total Years Involved

  • Writing (4)

As an English major with a concentration in writing, I have taken various creative writing courses and am especially interested in short fiction writing, in addition to telling important narratives that have been overlooked.

  • Housing Unit Student Intern – Legal Aid Society of D.C.

This past summer, I interned for the Housing unit of Legal Aid Society of D.C., a nonprofit organization that provides free legal services to individuals who live below the poverty line in D.C. Through this experience, I gained exposure to individual and systemic injustices and helped attorneys as they presented tenants who were facing wrongful eviction. I will be working full-time for two years after graduation with Legal Aid Society as a paralegal for the Housing Unit.

  • United Kingdom Parliament: Labour Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn Office Intern,

During my study abroad experience in the spring semester of my junior year, I had the opportunity to intern for the Labour Party Leader’s office. This opportunity allowed me to further pursue my special interest of serving others.