Francesca Gill, SIS/BA 鈥24, a junior at 猫咪社区app University鈥檚 School of International Service, finds value in each word of her school鈥檚 name. She views public service as uniquely vocational.
鈥淚'm a big proponent of the idea that public service is a calling鈥攊t鈥檚 something that calls you to selflessly act on the behalf of others,鈥 Gill explains.
Community is a concept Gill considers on the local, national, and global levels. She cares deeply about making a difference through leadership within international affairs. Her current goal following graduation is to find work at the center of 猫咪社区app foreign policy decision-making, possibly with the Civil Service at the 猫咪社区app Department of State.
Gill鈥檚 passion for public service has been nurtured by her internship experiences. Interning with the United Nations Association of The National Capital Area (UNA-NCA), Gill was inspired by her colleagues鈥 efforts to foster a stronger 猫咪社区app-UN partnership. She supported the chapter鈥檚 newsletters and programming, which gave her a new appreciation for the role of partnerships and community education.
鈥淚t was just really eye-opening and impressive to see how much dedication goes into advocacy and public outreach,鈥 reflects Gill about her time at UNA-NCA.
Now a full-time intern with the State Department鈥檚 Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, Gill is spending the Spring 2023 semester in her ideal classroom. By working on issues related to such a nuanced geographic region, she feels energized by the culture of hard work and attention to detail.
鈥淚t鈥檚 just really inspiring,鈥 says Gill, framing her internship experience as helping her plan for the future. 鈥淚 think looking forward to where I can find my place鈥攚ithin that puzzle of where I can put my best effort, knowledge, and experiences鈥攊s something that I keep trying to really reflect and act on every day.鈥
Gill credits scholarship support for motivating her to embrace every opportunity that comes her way. A recipient of the Women's Scholarship Fund in Honor of Mary Louise Brown, Gill can take full advantage of the experience at the State Department while staying on track to complete her degree.
Maintaining such 鈥減ositive momentum鈥 toward graduation and career steps, she explains, is invaluable鈥攁n idea central to AU鈥檚 new Elevate Scholarship Initiative.
鈥淏ecause I've been allotted such a very generous donor scholarship fund, it really just pushes me and encourages me to pursue my career passions in the government sector,鈥 Gill says. 鈥淸It鈥檚] just only going to help me reach those dreams of wanting to be somebody really important in foreign policy, and to make a difference that will truly have a sustainable impact, not just in DC, but throughout the United States.鈥
Gill鈥檚 determination to create change has helped her find a home at AU. In particular, the School of Public Affairs鈥 Leadership Program has enabled Gill to grow both alongside her cohort and individually. During her sophomore year, Gill helped teach girls in DC public schools about economic empowerment through a partnership with local nonprofit, Community Bridges. Her goal was to promote the kinds of early exposure opportunities she wished she had access to growing up.
[This] interest stemmed from my own experiences of just wanting to be that role model for myself鈥攜ou know, if I was looking at my younger self and wanting to see my future self鈥攖his is who I would want to see.鈥
For Gill, these experiential learning opportunities reflect AU鈥檚 commitment to students thriving. She recognizes the university mission and Change Can鈥檛 Wait campaign in action across the AU community, particularly through student services such as the SIS Advising Center and Financial Aid Office.
In preparing Gill to follow her path to public service, AU answers the call to ensure that students are empowered to live lives of purpose, service, and leadership.
鈥淚鈥檝e been able to get to this point because of the resources and the funding opportunities that the university provides for its students,鈥 Gill reflects. 鈥淎nd I think that it is just such a true testament to the university and to what students can truly achieve and reach.鈥
Part of AU鈥檚 Change Can鈥檛 Wait campaign, the Elevate Scholarship Initiative is a philanthropic effort to raise $25 million of unrestricted funding to support undergraduate students enrolled at AU. To learn more and share your support, visit the Elevate Scholarship Initiative web page.
