2024-Azalea Danes

Azalea Danes

Major: International Affairs

Second Major: Latin American and Caribbean Studies

GPA: 3.92

THESIS TOPIC

“The ‘Sustainable Development’ of Hegemony in the International Development Ecosystem”

PERSONAL STATEMENT

When I think of Lafayette, I think of opportunity. Here, I have had the opportunity to shape my education in a way that has enabled me to shape my community. My Freshman year, I was working 30 hours a week for a national nonprofit to help youth organizers across the country advocate in their communities. Through writing Spanish papers on political theory, WA-ing students, and conducting research on extraction in the Global South, finding community among students and fantastic faculty enabled me to rise to the challenge of synthesizing my activism with my academic journey.

By pursuing curiosity, I studied abroad in Ecuador, inspired by professors and friends who urged me to go out of my comfort zone and begin learning Quechua. Inspired by a documentary I watched in Spanish, I worked with an Oscar-nominated film director for a year and learned to make documentaries.

I do not shy away from difficult questions, and the main one that guides me is “how can we make this place better?” I’ve crafted my interdisciplinary education to help me be a better advocate in my community. Beginning with projects like Dear Lafayette, I worked alongside upperclassmen advocating for racial justice; the same lessons I learned from DL are the ones I carry with me in WA staff meetings, where over the years I’ve advocated for our college curriculum to be representative of our community. From a paper I wrote advocating for LEED policy in an architecture class, I began working with the Easton community to help craft the city’s environmental action plan, which was proposed in the city council this semester.

Just as alumni have helped and inspired me, I hope to help current students make this community better, and seize the opportunities around every corner.

 

ACADEMIC ACTIVITY/AWARD

International Affairs Club- 2 years

I have served as the President of the International Affairs Club for 2 years, liaising between the IA Faculty and IA students, and organizing and promoting events related to the International Affairs Program. Among these, I have organized and coordinated three career advising panels with IA alumni, held department lunches for IA students, promoted and advised the promotion of academic guest speakers.

Mentor Writing Associate- 3 years

Since the first semester of my Sophomore year, I have worked diligently as a Writing Associate. In my final year, I have served as a Mentor Writing Associate, where I advise the College Writing Program on programming, promotion, FYS curriculum, and WA training. Additionally, I participate in mentoring and training the other Writing Associates and have promoted the program.

Phi Beta Kappa- 2 years

Phi Beta Kappa is a selective organisation that offers membership to only students who have demonstrated both breadth and depth of liberal learning and who have in the process established for themselves academic records of unquestioned excellence.

Sigma Iota Rho- 2 years

Sigma Iota Rho is an honors society that offers membership to the best and brightest students who are pursuing international studies within the United States.

Excel Scholar- Fall 2023

I worked with Professor Cory Fischer-Hoffman as an Excel research scholar on her forthcoming book, I researched the evolution of Bethlehem Steel’s mining activities in Latin America, focusing particularly on the nationalization of Chile’s copper industry.

Louis M. Olmsted Prize in Ethics- 1 year

Awarded to the student who, in the judgment of the members of the Department of Philosophy, has done outstanding work in theoretical ethics, applied ethics, or a related field.

Assante-Carrasco Fund for Honors’ Research Travel- January 2024

After a rigorous application process, I received funding from the Assante-Carrasco fund for Honors’ Thesis research to conduct independent fieldwork for my thesis in International Affairs in Colombia this past January.

Marquis Fellow- 4 years

Recipients of a Marquis award display the Marquis’ ideals of global citizenship, scholarly pursuits, leadership, and concern for others.

 CAMPUS SERVICE ACTIVITY/AWARD

Dear Lafayette- 2 years

As a member of Dear Lafayette, a Black-student-led coalition fighting against anti- Black racism on Lafayette’s campus, I worked to uplift the work of Black student organizers on campus, and contributed to events and mainstays at the college such as Pard Pantry.

COMMUNITY SERVICE

Easton Environmental Action Committee Member- 1 year

I participated weekly on the Easton City Council Environmental Action committee, after recommendation to the committee by Professor Felder. I worked with the committee to develop the Easton Climate Action Plan, which is was passed in the Easton City Council. My volunteer activity consisted of lending my time weekly to research LEED building codes and how the City of Easton could improve regulation to reduce carbon emissions from residential and commercial building facilities.

Environmental Justice Organizer- 7 years

My most consistent “community service activity” has been my engagement as an environmental justice organizer and activist. I have organized numerous protests, worked with youth organizations nationally, and engaged in local organizing for environmental and social justice across the Lehigh Valley and New York City. Recently, I have worked closely with the Muslim Youth Coalition of Lehigh Valley.

Indigenous Rights Coalition- 2 years

I participated in the initial plans for altering the racist monument of General Sullivan on Lafayette’s campus, and since have organized with students to support a Indigenous Studies Program to support more diverse perspectives in our school’s curriculum.

SPECIAL INTEREST/ACTIVITY AWARD

Fulbright Semi-Finalist and Fulbright-National Geographic Award Semi-Finalist, Study/Research Dual Degree Grant to Bolivia and Chile

I have recently been awarded the status of semi-finalist from the Fulbright national committee to pursue a study/research grant.

Princeton in Latin America

I have recently been awarded the status of semi-finalist for the Princeton in Latin America Fellowship to work with an NGO advocating for indigenous women’s rights in Guatemala.

IQRA: Pards Studying Palestine

I co-founded a weekly group of students where we study Palestine from a variety of perspectives.