Sixteen SU Students Named UN Millennium Fellows

SALISBURY, MD---For the second year in a row, Salisbury University students have been selected for the highly competitive United Nations (UN) Millennium Fellowship. Less than 8% of the 25,500 applicants were selected and yet 16 of SU’s 22 applicants are finalists. This is among the highest success rates in the nation and outperformed most of the prestigious private and Research I institutions.

“Every fellows’ project is well thought out and demonstrates a clear impact on our community. A lot can be said about our Fellows but when it comes to the volunteer nature of some of the projects that they’re working on or the organizations that they’ve connected with, it really speaks volumes about the quality of students that we have at SU,” said Dr. Brian Polkinghorn, executive director of the Bosserman Center for Conflict Resolution.

“Obviously, these are some of the top students we have at SU, and it shows that you can really do anything and if you put your mind to it and compete with the Ivy League,” said Dr. Brittany Foutz, SU conflict analysis and dispute resolution lecturer. “What the UN Millennium Fellowship organizers really care about is getting applicants who have designed creative impact driven projects that aim to make a difference in our community and region.”

Polkinghorn and Foutz are involved throughout the fellowship process, meeting with students months in advance and sharing the opportunities, assisting them through the design of their projects and the application process step-by-step and serving as mentors throughout their time as fellows.

While some programs may guide students into particular areas of study or a certain project, the Millennium Fellowship is open to the broad interests of all the fellows.  

“At first I thought I had to do a project that was really big and academic – some really powerful thing,” said senior Jude Al-Hamad of Berlin, MD who is a two-time fellow, having earned the honor in 2020 as well as 2021. “But I realized that it can be something that is smaller that I’m really passionate about and taken to a bigger level.”

Al-Hamad last year worked on an online service learning platform, “Community and Me,” which educates people on events and volunteerism in their areas. This year, she expands on that idea, working with SU’s Student Government Association to expand its volunteer program through student involvement and partnerships with organizations outside SU.

Other students earning the fellowship this year are Laura Amrhein of Bel Air, MD; Monica Bailey of Columbia, MD; Victoria Ezeji of Baltimore; Hallie Hyers of Annapolis; Lauren Ledonne of Bel Air, MD; Chad Leo of Solomons, MD; Sarah Lester of Lewes, DE; Madison Macdougall of Salisbury; River Myer of Eldersburg, MD; Carly Nascimbeni of Berlin, MD; Nicholas Plummer of Annapolis; Agi Sirra Sallah of Banjul, The Gambia; Melanie Staszewski of Poolesville, MD; Erin Stubbs of Ridgely, MD; and Haley Taylor of Linthicum, MD.

The freedom of the fellowship allows SU to involve students from across campus. Each of SU’s six schools and colleges are represented with fellows this year.

“It’s vitally important that each area of campus is involved,” said Polkinghorn. “There is this myth that only social sciences can be involved, but when it comes to working with international organizations and the UN, if you want to be a medical doctor, they need you. If you want to be a geographical information systems specialist, they need you. If you’re in education, they need you. They need every single one of us from all areas of campus, and this year we’ve demonstrated that point clearly.”

The SU cohort is a close-knit group that connects on a regular basis to discuss projects, bounce ideas off each other and seek advice. Another major benefit of the program is the vast array of alumni from around the world who create a network of contacts for now and the future.

The projects are not only beneficial to the communities they are serving now, but many fellows intend to use their endeavors as springboards to their careers after graduation.

“This has definitely taught me leadership skills, networking and communication is a big thing,” Al-Hamad said. “I used to be very timid and shy to speak with people I don’t know, but this has opened up so many opportunities to grow in that area and not be afraid to share what I’m passionate about. I hope to eventually go back for my master’s, but I’d love to do things in this realm of non-profit, helping people and making a difference.”

“I hope this Millennium Fellowship is a turning point in their worldview, their passion and what they want to do with their lives,” said Polkinghorn.

Those interested in learning more or applying for the UN Millennium Fellowship should contact Foutz or Polkinghorn.

For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU website.