Sydney Edelson

Major 1: Psychology

Minor: Philosophy

300 Word Statement

Reflecting on my time at Lafayette, I could not have imagined how much meaning this institution’s students, staff, and community would bring to my life. Lafayette enables me to actualize my guiding philosophy: when something is wrong, those with the ability to take action have the responsibility to take action. The ideal Lafayette student takes advantage of this institution’s vast resources and uses them to strengthen communities and combat injustice. Lafayette has given me the comprehensive education, tools, and leadership skills to take action. My consciousness has expanded as I learn how to create sustainable and system-level change. In my role as Program Coordinator at the Landis Center for Community Engagement, I led a program to alleviate hunger and homelessness, and currently run an art therapy program in Northampton County Jail. Internationally, I studied geology and paleobiology in Ecuador, and also held a social justice summer internship at Israel’s largest sexual violence relief center. Additionally, serving as Vice President of Social Action for Hillel Society enables me to support various communities’ needs and also have a forum to run my “Stop the Stigma” mental health campaign. I’ve engaged our community in a conversation about mental health through my TEDx talk, Senior Voices talk, various OBC engagements, fundraising and banner signing initiatives, and Dine and Donate events at Hillel Society Bagel Brunches.These experiences planted a seed of determination within me and changed my career trajectory as I pursue opportunities to reform the criminal justice system. As a lifelong learner, I continue to challenge the status quo and work to break down systemic barriers that impede equality and justice. Leaving Lafayette, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the invested faculty, nurturing students, and strong community that helped make me who I am today.

Academic Activities/Awards – Total Years Involved

  • Dean’s List (4)

I am proud to have made Deans List every semester that I have studied at Lafayette. Dean’s List is awarded to students achieving at least a 3.60 during the semester.

  • Psi Chi International Honors Society (3)

Psi Chi is the International honors society for psychology (and neuroscience). Their mission is: Recognizing and promoting excellence in the science and application of psychology. I was inducted in April of 2017.

  • Geological and Paleo biological Evolution of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands (Winter 2017)

This three-week Natural Science course examined the coupled natural history of earth and life over geological time scales in the Andes of Ecuador and on the Galapagos Islands. It was academically rigorous and physically demanding.

  • The Hebrew University of Jerusalem & Hinam Center for Social Tolerance: “Israeli Multiculturalism” (Winter 2018)

The course discussed the multicultural intersect of the following five communities in Israel: the LGBTQ community, the Ethiopian community, members of the settlement movement, the Ultra-Orthodox sector, Arab society and, within that, a different community with its own unique characteristics; the Bedouin society. We Identified each community’s current challenges and educational, cultural, and tradition-based dilemmas that arise from these challenges, as well as their political representation. We sought to understand the major points of conflict that affect each community and its integration into the general Israeli public. We learned how the educational institutions within each community affect its members’ ability to integrate in the general society. Lastly, we used examples from Israeli society to elucidate outstanding characteristics of similar societies in other parts of the world that are comprised of groups of differing identities, who share a common political and geographical space.

  • Technology Clinic Independent Study (1)

Technology Clinic is a two-semester course in which teams of students work together on imaginative and tangible solutions to real-world problems for community-based clients. Students are nominated by professors who believe they are capable leaders worthy of undertaking a multifaceted project that has real implications and applications. My team was tasked with the Redevelopment of the Bushkill Drive Corridor and our clients were the VP of Finance at Lafayette College, and the Easton City Planner. We were tasked with examining the Bushkill Drive entrance to campus from 13th Street to the intersection with Pierce St. and then around to Sullivan Lane and the Arts Campus on Third Street. There has been tremendous effort between the College and the City concerning the Karl Sterner Arts trail and this project looked at all aspects of the Bushkill St. approach to the College as it relates to Silk, the Arts Trail, the Bushkill Creek, the College’s development at Bushkill/Pierce and the City of Easton’s interest in properties along that route. Our team produced a comprehensive mid-year and final report with extensive recommendations.

  • Robert E. Beane Scholarship Recipient (Summer 2018)

One of four Lafayette College students selected for highly competitive and prestigious scholarship to support summer internship. In addition to receiving a stipend to fund internship, recipients are matched with an alumni mentor who is selected based on the recipients professional goals and career trajectory. Invited to present a poster on summer internship at a celebratory alumni/donor event to showcase my experience working as a Development Coordinator at the largest Sexual and Domestic Violence Relief Center in Israel.

  • Ludwig and Beatrice B. Muhlfelder Prize (History Department) (March 2019)

Awarded to recognize a student who has made a significant contribution to the field of Holocaust studies.

  • Rogers Prize Finalist (March 2018)

The Rogers Prize is awarded annually to the outstanding senior Psychology major.

Campus Services/Activities and Awards – Total Years Involved

  • Aaron O. Hoff Service Above Self Award (1)

This award recognizes a student who “best exemplifies the qualities of caring and concern for others through participation in service activities. This active citizen is committed to discovering the root cause of social issues and supports solution-based initiatives with significant amounts of personal time.”

  • Levy Hillel Leadership Award Recipient (1)

Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley presents this award to “honor an outstanding student who exemplifies leadership and strength of character, as well as to recognize student contributions to their Hillel society and general campus community. This prize is given to students who have demonstrated evidence of promise in community leadership through active participation in campus organizations and awareness of the needs and concerns of the Jewish community.”

  • Life on the Hill Student Spotlight Award (1)

First Student at Lafayette College to receive this award for Leadership, Involvement and Kindness. Awarded this honor based on my “Spread Love on Our Paws” Mental Health “Stop the Stigma” Banner Signing Initiative.

  • Vice President of Social Action for Lafayette Hillel Society (3)

As VP of Social Action, I oversee Hillel’s philanthropy and charitable fundraising, design and market community outreach programming, and co-sponsor interfaith/intercultural social justice events. I manage, coordinate, and run all philanthropy, social activism, social justice events in addition to “Dine and Donate” fundraising. Since the beginning of my term as Vice President, Hillel hosts at least two social action events and one fundraiser every month. My role also includes organizing food and item donations to local shelters and monetary donations to various national charities as well as creating the Post-Shabbat Dinner Donation Program. I seek to integrate the social justice principle of Tikkun Olam (“repair of the world”) into Hillel’s weekly agenda: working to contribute, give back, and repair our local and global community. With the help of the Board, I design, plan, and promote Lafayette College’s National Holocaust Remembrance Week. This yearly program includes securing speakers, screening documentaries, and engaging in discourse around preventing Antisemitism and genocide. In addition, I helped Hillel take their first political stance when I co-authored an opinion piece in “The Lafayette” student newspaper professor on the Muslim Ban (see Trump’s discriminatory order as seen throughout history: Hillel.) Finally, I believe that it is my responsibility to represent the Lafayette Jewish community when local and national current events demand a prompt response. This action includes coordinating Hillel’s helping to debrief after the mass Shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue, as well as reporting anti-Semitic vandalism on the arts trail to the police and The Lafayette.

  • Lafayette College’s National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (2)

Coordinated Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week in 2017 and 2018. Part of a team of 6 students responsible for organizing, planning and promoting National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. This involved securing speakers, providing reflection opportunities on the social issue, facilitating post-event discussions, and supervising a week-long campus food drive. I was the graphic designer for the Project, which included making fliers and advertisements for the entire week, as well as for the Food Drive. In 2018, I was proud to be a liaison between Landis’ #OperationFoodDrive, Brothers of Lafayette, and Lafayette College’s Football Team in a collaborate effort to engage the entire campus. For the first time, the food drive was extended beyond the academic school week and made an appearance at the Rivalry Football Game. We were proud to have raised 2,000 dollars.

  • Our Beloved Community Social Justice Symposium Discussion Facilitator (4)

2015 and 2016: “The Price of Pigment”, Discussion Facilitator on racial micro-aggressions  and white privilege with prospective high school students.

2017: Stop the Stigma”: What’s on your mind matters”: Mind Over Matter? This session will explore the Social Stigma against Mental Illness. The discussion will use statistics and storytelling to highlight double standards and dichotomies that prevent healing and progress.

2018: As a member of Lafayette Leadership Education Committee, I presented about best leadership practices to achieve social justice using the Leadership Challenge Model.

  • Standup Lafayette Social Justice Blog Reporter (2)

Reported on social justice issues including gender, mental illness, race, sexual identity, inter-racial relationships, addiction, and sexism in the gym. Standup gave me a forum to share some of my experiences and help reach others who may not have been previously exposed to ideas of systemic and institutional injustice.

  • Co-President of Hillel Society (1)

Manage board of 15 students -Orchestrate Campus-wide events -Provide Leadership, Guidance and Logistical supervision -Oversee Organizational activities, programming, and event planning.

  • LiveWell Lafayette Adviser Director (1)

Director of the Campus Advisers for the Spiritual & Emotional Wellness Committee- Directed 6 advisers, promoted holistic well-being of student body, served as resources on the eight dimensions of wellness. Managed committee throughout the planning process of two, month-long wellness programs. Created campus-wide programming, multimedia/marketing, graphic design, campus advertisement, budget management and organization. Used my position as Director of Emotional/Spiritual Wellness to run my “Stop the Stigma” mental health campaign.

  • Senior Year Experience Lecture Series: Senior Voices Speaker (1)

Nominated by Lafayette Administrator to speak at the Senior Voices Campus Inaugural Event. My Speech was dedicated to the evolution of my Stop the Stigma Mental Health Advocacy, Awareness, and Fundraising Campaign over the last four years.

Community Service – Total Years Involved

  • Landis Center for Community Engagement: Mosaic Program Coordinator (2)

Landis Center for Community Outreach MOSAIC (Making our Society an Inclusive Community) Program Coordinators recruit, train, educate and reflect with student volunteers, serve as liaisons with community partners, and participate in regular leadership development opportunities.

Program 1 (September 2017-May 2018): “Meals at Third Street Alliance” Women and Children’s Homeless Shelter. Coordinated a group of volunteers who volunteer weekly at the homeless shelter preparing a meal for the residents and dining with them afterward. Led 7 volunteers in a program that involved forming deep connections with the women and children at Third Street Alliance.

Program 2 (September 2018- May 2019): The Journey Home Restorative Art therapy program for Women inside Northampton County Prison. Managed and coordinated Volunteers to work with Women inside NCP in a weekly restorative art therapy Program. I recruited volunteers, provided training, educated volunteers about social issues, and facilitated reflection sessions. As a program coordinator I attended monthly staff meetings, organized program activities, attended programs weekly, and worked at least one office hour weekly.

  • International Social Justice Internship in Be’er Sheva, Israel (Summer 2018)

Development Coordinator for Maslan-the only Support Center for Battered & Sexually Abused Women and Children in the Negev. Their mission is to combat the epidemic of sexual and domestic violence in a multicultural society as they strive to support and empower the survivors through every step of both the legal and recovery process. As development coordinator, I managed community outreach, social media and marketing, donor relations, fundraising campaigns and international grant applications in addition to translating content. Through my role, I was able to represent those who sought refuge at Maslan as I marketed the organization’s needs to the global community. My two-month internship was spent advocating for Maslan on an international level, as I converted their materials into English and applied for several international grants and donations that would compensate for the government’s budget cuts. My residence in Be’er Sheva allowed me to witness the systemic issues and cultural complexities that contribute to the perpetual oppression of women. This experience helped me cultivate my non-profit management skills and inspired me to fight for progressive ideals around the world.

  • Alternative School Break Team Member: “Knowing the New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration” (Spring 2019)

Education on Prison Industrial Complex and reflection on oppressive systemic injustices occurred at weekly meetings leading up to the Spring Break Alternative School Break trip to Columbia, South Carolina where we engaged in Direct Service with youth at the Broad River Road Campus of the Department of Juvenile Justice. This full immersion experience involved working with adjudicated delinquents at Camp Aspen, a rehabilitative center for recovering youth. We tutored the young men and helped them with their schoolwork, ran engaging workshops on careers, college applications, GED test taking tips, interviewing etiquette, journaling and mediation, and keys to higher education.

  • Mental Health Expo: Leader of Youth Activism Workshop (May 2016)

Recruited to lead Mental Health Workshop for Youth Group of congregation in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Invited to give personal perspective through Public/Motivational Speaking with regards to successfully leading an advocacy campaign to youth congregants. Created Multi-Media Film entitled, “What is your why” in addition to Speech.

  • Shabbat Dinner Donation Program (2)

Following Hillel Society’s Friday Evening Catered Shabbat Dinners, as VP of Social Action, I started a program where unopened food/ leftovers from catered dinners were donated to the employees at Lower Farinon, who might struggle with Food insecurity. Having worked in Lower Farinon my freshman fall semester, I got to know the employees on a personal level, and learned of the discrepancies in resources between the students and the employees. Now, every Friday night, Hillel provides meals to the staff at Lower Farinon.

  • Lafayette Sustainability Initiative’s Food Recovery Program (1)

While working as a Program Coordinator for Meals at Third Street Alliance, I served as the liaison between Third Street Alliance Homeless Shelter and Lafayette’s food recovery program to ensure the delivery of leftover dining hall food to the shelter.

  • Landis Day Peer Mentor (1)

Lafayette Student Buddy with a student from Cheston Elementary School at Lafayette’s first annual Landis Day.

  • “Stop the Stigma” Mental Health Advocacy and Fundraising Campaign (2015-Present), Founder (5)

“Stop the Stigma” Mental Health Advocacy and Fundraising Campaign (2015-Present): “Stop the Stigma” is a campaign dedicated to educate, engage, and enlighten communities in a conversation about Mental Health. This campaign is multifaceted, as it involves public speaking events (Tedx, OBC, Senior Voices, etc.), community fundraisers, campus wide initiatives, multimedia promotional films, and youth workshops. My mission is to turn my pain into purpose, as I mobilize various communities to unite, share, connect, and heal. Stop the Stigma’s motto is: “The only difference between illness and wellness is “we”. Listed below are Stop the Stigma campaign activities. • Affiliate of the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation, New York, New York January 2015-Present • Certificate of Appreciation Recipient, For contribution to Research and Recovery for the one in four living with mental illness. 2015-2017 • TedX Lafayette: Redefining the Box: “Stop the Stigma” December 2015 • “Stop the Stigma” Mental Health Campaign Fundraising (over $2000to date) Jan. 2015-Present • Donate your Change to Make a Change (Multiple Fundraising Events), Hillel Society, Lafayette College • “Spread Love on Our Paws” Campaign Fundraiser, Hillel Society, Lafayette College. (Oct 2016, 2018) I Conceptualized, Initiated, and Enacted Campus Fundraising Program for Non-profit To Write Love on Her Arms in week-long suicide prevention campaign sponsored by over 15 offices, clubs and organizations on campus. • Mental Health Expo, Temple Emanuel, Cherry Hill, NJ May 2016 – Recruited to lead Mental Health Workshop for Youth Group of Congregation. Invited to give personal perspective through Public/Motivational Speaking with regards to successfully leading an advocacy campaign to youth congregants. •  Our Beloved Community: Stop the Stigma”: What’s on your mind matters”: Mind Over Matter? This session explored the Social Stigma against Mental Illness. The discussion used statistics and storytelling to highlight double standards and dichotomies that prevent healing and progress. • Senior Voice Lecture Series (January 2019): Administrative nomination, shared personal reflection on Stop the Stigma Campaign at Campus Inaugural Event

Athletics Activity/Award – Total Years Involved

  • Broad Street Run: 10 Mile Race (2)

Ten-Mile Race in Philadelphia: Completed May 2015 and training to compete again in May 2019.

  • Cross Training as a Spiritual Practice (4)

Lafayette College Athletics Facility- Regular user of Kirby Sports Center Gym to maintain a healthy mind, body, and spirit.

Special Interest – Total Years Involved

  • Lafayette College Communications Division Student Staff Reporter (1)

Student Staff Writer for the Communications Division of Lafayette College. Responsible for attending Campus events and covering the event as a journalist. I have covered important campus events including PASA’s second annual “Take Back the Night” event, Co-Founder of the Black Panther Party, Bobby Seale’s Lecture, and Senior Speaker Karamo Brown.

  • Facility Monitor at Lafayette College Recreation Services (3)

The facility monitor is responsible for securing the recreation center by screening who enters, distributing equipment, answering a broad range of questions, and serving as a key role in response to facility emergencies. This position requires customer service skills, an outgoing personality, a willingness to engage in patrons and accommodate their needs, answer phone calls, manage incoming mail, and handle and secure monetary payments and deposits. This position requires CPR/AED certification through the American Red Cross.

  • Lafayette Intercultural Networking Council (2)

Committee Member: LINC consists of student groups, who as part of their mission statement, have a commitment to issues of diversity and multiculturalism. I served as a representative of Lafayette Hillel Society and Landis Center for Community Outreach.

  • Lafayette Leadership Education Committee (2.5)

The Lafayette Leadership Education Committee is comprised of select students, administrators, and faculty who meet weekly to plan student leadership educational opportunities each year. Meetings include conversations about all aspects of the leadership education program, planning the annual Leadership Institute, and bi-weekly chapter discussions about one book each semester.

  • Lafayette Alumni Reunion Weekend: Student Staff (3)

Student Staff members are responsible for registering attendees, administering important materials, connecting with the alum in meaningful ways, serving as resources for the entire weekend, being the “Face” of the college. Student staff members are expected to maintain safety and ensure the success of weekend. In 2017 and 2018, I had the honor of being assigned to the class of ’67 and ’68 respectively (Their fiftieth year reunion).

  • TedX Lafayette Speaker (1)

My Tedx Lafayette talk was about my Mental health advoacy, awareness, and fundraising campaign “Stop the Stigma”. I shared my struggles with mental illness and talked about how society must redefine the restrictive labels and limitations it places on those who struggle with mental illness. I made it a point to juxtapose societies’ treatment of mental illness with that of physical illness, highlighting the double standards that prevent so many people from sharing their stories and seeking the treatment they need. My goal is to establish a sense of compatibility in people’s minds between incredible, yet incredibly ordinary people, who struggle with their mental health.

  • Parliament of the World’s Religions 2018 : The Promise of Inclusion, the Power of Love: Pursuing Global Understanding, Reconciliation, and Change (1)

Selected as one of six Lafayette College students to attend The Oldest, Largest, Most Diverse and Inclusive Global Interfaith Event in Toronto, Canada that included representation from 120+ Countries and 220 different faith traditions. The Parliament of the World’s Religions was created to cultivate harmony among the world’s religious and spiritual communities and foster their engagement with the world and its guiding institutions in order to achieve a just, peaceful and sustainable world.

  • Co-authored Opinion Piece in Lafayette Student Newspaper (1)

Co-authored Opinion Piece in “The Lafayette” student newspaper on behalf of Lafayette Hillel Society in response to Trump’s Executive Order regarding immigration and refugees from Muslim countries: with assistant professor of religious studies and Berman Scholar of Jewish Studies: Trump’s discriminatory order as seen throughout history: Hillel.

  • Be the Match Marrow Drive (1)

Student Liaison for Lafayette Football Team’s “Get in the game, Be the Match” Marrow Registry Drive- Responsible for Social Media, Graphic Design of all media materials, Communications, Public Speaker, Campaign Manager. Succeeded in registering 135 new potential donors… and beat Lehigh in our friendly competition for swabs!

  • Keller Williams Real Estate Administrative Assistant (1)

Had the privilege to revitalize, revamp, and redesign agents’ business platform. Granted the autonomy and creative liberty to organize, design, and engineer every aspect of her business from Company Logo, to the entirety of her professional website. Gained experience in Keller Williams Real Estate Website Design, Graphic Designing (Brochures/Pamphlets/Event Invites), Multimedia and Marketing Engineer, Social Media Manager/ Assistant, Campaigning/Outreach Engineer, and Managing contacts and correspondence. This incredible working relationship yielded amazing productivity as databases, social media platforms, online profile, virtual real estate portfolio were all reconfigured and brought to life.