Brianna Braswell

First Major: Anthropology and Sociology
Minor: Women’s and Gender Studies

300 Word Statement

A student that embodies the Lafayette ideal displays leadership in her community, positively contributes to the academic and social environment, and challenges others’ thinking as well as her own. It is an honor to be nominated for this prestigious award, as it shows that someone recognized these qualities in me. I believe that I represent this ideal as I have emerged as a leader who engages in the community that provided me with so many transformative opportunities. I would not be a successful student at Lafayette without hard work and dedication to my individual success, but also the collective love and support from my family, my Posse and mentor, friends, professors, and administrators who truly cared about me. I found my community at Lafayette and during my time here, I have mentored other students so they can find their community as well. I am an outstanding student, demonstrated by being on the Dean’s List all four years. I served as captain of the dance team for three semesters and coordinated logistics as well as choreographed for the 150th Rivalry game at Yankee Stadium. As a Kaleidoscope peer educator, I have training in multicultural competence and am able to facilitate difficult conversations among my peers regarding the “Big 8”. I serve as a role model to Posse Scholars and am currently working on establishing new traditions for the Posse program, which younger and future Posse’s can enjoy. My opportunities and experiences at Lafayette gave me the chance to be more confident in myself and grow intellectually and emotionally. Even when I leave Lafayette, I will continue to encourage and mentor students who are leaders that will make their own mark, just as I hope I’ve made mine.

Academic Activities/Awards – Total Years Involved

Posse Leadership Scholarship 4
I am extremely proud and humbled to say that I am a Posse Scholar (DC 7). I earned a four-year full tuition leadership scholarship from the Posse Foundation and Lafayette College. Not only do I have my Posse with me on campus, but I went through Pre-collegiate training for 8 months before starting my college career. I use those skills with me in everything I do. This is certainly one of my greatest accomplishments and I am grateful to have my Posse and such a strong support network in my corner.

Dean’s List 4
I am proud that I have made the Dean’s List every semester and maintained my high GPA. It assures me of my work ethic and shows that I could succeed at a top school such as Lafayette.

Campus Service/Activities and Awards – Total Years Involved

Head Resident 1
I am the Head Resident of Kirby Korner (Gates, Soles, 635 High Street, Reeder House, Kirby House). I supervise 9 RA’s in those areas. I provide verbal and written feedback to the RA’s on their job performance as well as advise them on how to communicate with their residents and plan effective programs.
Resident Advisor 1
I fostered community among 15 residents through coordinating residential floor meetings and programs. I designed bulletin boards and posters to inform residents of campus resources and events.
Student Event Coordinator for Office of Academic Advising 1
I collaborate with professional staff to oversee and facilitate the logistics and execution of various campus events. I revised and edited the schedule for Lafayette College’s Class of 2019 Orientation Weekend. I helped to organize and coordinate details for Honors Convocation Ceremony to take place in May. I plan and execute events for Posse Scholars, as well as events that are hosted by Posse, but engage the whole campus community.
Senior Year Experience Committee 1
I help plan and execute events for the Senior Class throughout the year, including “Senior Sips” and Senior Week. I spearheaded planning an event called “Sincerely Seniors”, the first annual brunch for Seniors and a faculty or staff member who has impacted them in their four years. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of this committee as it enhanced my senior year at Lafayette. It gave me the opportunity to make new friends, see members of our class that I did not normally encounter, and plan various special events, which I hope to continue in my future.
Event Manager for Student Leadership and Involvement 1
I collaborated with staff to oversee and facilitate the logistics and execution of various campus events, compiled financial information from past events and created documents to organize the information, and created a calendar of events for the Director and student staff.
Note Taker 1
I served as a note taker (scribe) for the ATTIC. I wrote neat notes and copied them for peers in my classes. The names of the students were not told to me.
Student Worker- ATTIC 1
I provided excellent customer service in the office through greeting and assisting visitors and organized the notes that note takers brought in.
America Reads, America Counts Tutor 1
As a part of my work study program, I worked with elementary school kids tutoring them in reading and communication skills. I enjoyed watching them grow mentally, and socially.

Community Service – Total Years Involved

Alternative School Break 1
My senior year I participated on an ASB trip: Team Home for Hope, and it was one of the best decisions I made at Lafayette. We traveled to New Orleans, LA to help serve the community in rebuilding efforts due to Hurricane Katrina and recent floods. For one of our projects we worked at a thrift store by sorting items that came in from the donation center. The thrift store is locally owned, and many of the proceeds go to helping community members find jobs and housing. I’ve taken clothes to donation centers before, but never stopped to think about the daunting task of organizing a never ending pile of clothing and other items. I appreciate the work that the owners do for their community and I will now do better research about where I take donations. It was an amazing experience that I am glad I got to have before graduating.
Lafapolooza- one time service projects 3
I’ve participated in Lafapolooza as an individual and with a team I was on. This year will be my third year participating. I’ve done weeding and gardening at the Easton Area Neighborhood center to prepare the ground for flower beds, as well as organizing and discarding files with sensitive information about families at the same center.

Athletics Activity/Award – Total Years Involved

Lafayette College Dance Team 4
The dance team is a student run club sport on campus. We perform at home football and basketball games as well as various campus events such as the dance company recital, Relay for life and in Easton and New York for 150th Rivalry events. I served as a co-captain of the team for three semesters, coordinating performances and logistics, and choreographed dances.

Special Interest – Total Years Involved

Kaleidoscope Social Justice Peer Educators 3
I am a part of a team that organizes, plans, and facilitates discussions on diversity (the Big 8- Religion, race, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, gender, ability, age) for students on campus regarding social justice issues. I became a member during my sophomore year when I was interested in social justice, but was not sure how I could make a difference. Being a Scope has helped me find my voice in social justice. My confidence in facilitating these discussions has grown and has given me a new perspective on issues that we face on campus and in our greater society. Although I am a Scope I am certainly not an expert; I still learn from other Scopes and other students and get questions that make me think further about my own opinions. Within Kaleidoscope, I serve on student panels for prospective students during Our Beloved Community, Lafayette Admissions Day, and Prologue Weekend.
Young Life College 1
I helped to start a chapter of Young Life College at Lafayette. It is an internationally recognized non-denominational Christian organization. The goal is to give students an additional space to talk about their faith and engage with their peers. I currently serve as a Young Life Leader for the Lafayette club.