Written by Street Team Member Madhumita Rao
The Huntington 100 honors outstanding students who exemplify the principles, missions, and values of Northeastern University. Students are nominated by faculty and chosen based on their impact on the campus community, record of service, global engagement, demonstrated leadership, entrepreneurial/innovative spirit, and commitment to a high level of ideals. This year, five students who are or were service-learning student leaders (S-LSLs) were selected for the Huntington 100. Join us in congratulating and celebrating this year’s honorees!
Kaleem Ahmid is a graduate student completing his Masters of Public Health; he also received a BS in Philosophy and Health Science at Northeastern. Kaleem has competed as an Ethics Bowl Team member, acted as a member of the Minorities and Philosophy (MAP) organization, worked as a research assistant at the Wylie Environmental Data Justice Lab (WEDJ Lab), and participated as a previous S-L student and S-LTA.
When asked about his favorite part about being in the S-L community at Northeastern, he says, “As a student, getting involved with 826 Boston was really special – I have continued to volunteer in various capacities there ever since, and even joined a research project as part of their National Evaluation. As an S-LTA, the highlight was definitely making so many great friends and having great laughs during small group meetings!”
Ava Gallo is a fifth year Environmental Studies and International Affairs student who also is completing a minor in Law and Public Policy. In addition to being an S-L student and S-LTA, she was a choreographer with NUStage, acted as Vice President of Partnerships with EcoScholars, and worked as program assistant at the Social Impact Lab.
She gushes about her role as an S-LTA explaining, “I was able to work with the Food Justice and Social Change class 3 times with Becca Berkey. It was really special to have such a longstanding mentorship with Becca, and I have learned so much from being under her wing all of these years. I wouldn’t have been able to make it through college without her constant advice and reassurance.”
Cassandra Barrett is a fifth year Biology and Political Science major with a Health Science minor. Cassandra has participated in various leadership roles at Northeastern including as a resident assistant, volunteer at Community Servings with the Community Volunteer Program, Vice President for External Affairs for National Residence Hall Honorary, volunteer for Alternative Spring Break (ASB) and Alternative Weekend, and Operations Assistant for the Athletic Department. She also participated in three S-L roles: S-L student, S-LTA, and S-L Street Team member.
She explains that her favorite part of being in the S-L community at Northeastern was the relationships she created. Cassandra said, “I still talk to the students and fellow S-L student leaders I met through the program today. S-L was such a large part of my college experience and I have met some of my closest friends through it. It was amazing being surrounded by people who cared deeply about the community and the mark we left on Northeastern and the city of Boston.”
Olivia Olcott is a fourth year Human Services and International Affairs major with minors in Spanish and Political Science from Hopewell, New Jersey. At Northeastern, Liv acted as a Training Chair for Husky Ambassador, ambassador for the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, and member of the College of Social Sciences and Humanities Student Advisory Council. She was also an S-LTA in the past and S-L student, where she engaged with Peace Through Play, an after school program, and Literacy Volunteers of Massachusetts.
When asked about her experience with the S-L community, Liv says “My favorite S-L memories are all of the Wednesday night meetings and getting to come together as a whole team!”
Brian Miller is a third year student who is majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in finance and minoring in Chinese. Brian has been Senior Analyst and Chief Development Officer of the Student Value Fund, Senior Analyst and Director of Investments of NUimpact, and Founder, President, and Senior VP of Out in Business at Northeastern University. Outside of his business organization ventures, Brian was also an S-LTA.
He said that his favorite part of being in the S-L community at Northeastern was “seeing how we, as college students, can make an impact on our community.”
Congratulations to all of the 2021 Huntington 100 honorees and to the S-LSLs who received the award this year! Good luck to the recipients who will be graduating this year. From the S-L community, we wish you all the best in your future endeavors!