Rebecca Bizzarri
B.A. International Affairs, Elliott School of International Affairs
- Hometown:
I am from Salisbury, Md. - Pursuing:
Master of Public Administration, Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration - What is your dream job? Why?
I aspire to spend my life in the field of public service, focusing on creating positive and sustainable change for women and other marginalized communities. I want to dedicate my career to serving people who have faced hardship at the expense of the systems in place that are designed to hold them back and restrict their voice. If I could spend my life uplifting people who feel forgotten or alone, in whatever capacity that looks like, I would be incredibly content. - What are you hoping to gain from the fellowship?
I am looking forward to the opportunity to continue to serve my community. I have been so fortunate to find a family and a home at GW through different organizations and people who have invested in me, and I strive to take every opportunity to return that investment. GW has taught me so much about myself and how to interact with people all over the world, and I am looking forward to continuing to learn from Presidential Fellows past, present and future. - Is there a moment in your GW experience that you think has significantly impacted you?
My years as a resident advisor and my time as chief of staff of the Student Association have most profoundly impacted me. Not only did these positions allow me to find my best friends at GW—who have filled my life with laughter and countless memories—but these positions also have challenged me in ways I never expected. Through both of these roles, I was faced with obstacles that have pushed me to grow immensely and develop a sense of grit that I believe has been instrumental in my success and personal development. The people who I came in contact with through these positions have touched my life in many unforgettable ways, and I am a much better and more thoughtful person now for that.
Halea Kerr-Layton
B.A. International Affairs, Elliott School of International Affairs, and B.A. Spanish and Latin American Languages, Literatures and Cultures, Columbian College of Arts and Sciences
- Hometown:
I am from Boulder, Colo. - Pursuing:
Master of Arts, global communication, Elliott School of International Affairs and School of Media and Public Affairs - What is your dream job? Why?
I don't have a particular dream job. I'm really excited about working in many different industries. I hope to have a career that is involved in a diverse set of issues and works across industries and sectors to effect change. - What are you hoping to gain from the fellowship?
Through the presidential fellowship, I am hoping to be able to cultivate new professional skills and a deeper self-awareness of my strengths and weaknesses. I am excited about being able to concurrently pursue a master’s degree while learning outside of the classroom in the professional working world. - Is there a moment in your GW experience that you think has significantly impacted you?
My undergraduate experience at GW has been filled with impactful moments, individuals and experiences so it is hard to pinpoint just one. I feel very fortunate to have been able to meet so many amazing and uplifting individuals through my time in the direct GW community—and through the opportunities afforded to me by being a part of the GW community such as my two study abroad experiences.