American University Community-Based Research Scholars

10/05/2020

Jennifer Fei, CBR Scholar, is currently completing her Community-Based Research capstone with SW DC Action. Check out the recent article she wrote in Southwest Voice, a community newspaper in the SW neighborhood of DC. So proud of you, Jenny! Read it here:
https://www.southwestvoicedc.com/JenniferFei

05/19/2020

Keep an eye out for OLs Arden and Cora, representing the CBRS fam.

We, as your Orientation Leaders, are so happy to welcome our new students to the American University community and we look forward to our virtual orientation...

05/13/2020

Just in case you missed it...a little explained about this summer’s orientation for new students.

05/08/2020

We are so proud of our class of 2020! 🎉 We loved seeing many of you during our zoom graduation ceremony today. ❤️

05/06/2020

🎉Congratulations to Community-Based Research Scholar Meghan Lewis who has been selected to receive the 2020 Outstanding Service to the University Community Award from American University's Office of Campus Life (AU Campus Life)! This well-deserved award recognizes Meghan's extensive and sustaining contributions to CBRS, AUx, AU Pride, and the President's Council on Diversity & Inclusion. 🤩

Read more here: https://www.american.edu/ocl/outstanding-service.cfm

04/29/2020

Check out our new DC Partnerships webpage to learn more about past community-based research projects and how to partner with CBRS! https://www.american.edu/spa/metro-policy/dc-partnerships.cfm

04/08/2020

It's Where in the World is CBRS Wednesday! So, where is Sophia Ramcharitar (CBRS17, SIS)??

"I have spent the past two semesters abroad - in the fall, I attended Sciences Po in Menton, France and I'm currently enrolled at SOAS University of London. At Sciences Po, I took courses in legal reasoning and Middle East politics, but most of my learning occurred outside of the classroom. Located on the Franco-Italian border, I observed the daily realities of many immigrant communities from Northern Africa as they adjusted to life in France. By experiencing the intersection of French, Italian and Middle Eastern language and culture as I engaged with my local community, I have built upon the cross-cultural skills I gained as a CBR Scholar. At SOAS, I am taking classes (now online) that helped define my interests in foreign affairs while embracing new theoretical perspectives on topics I'm familiar with. Additionally, as an Anglo-American, I also strengthened my English roots by taking in all of what London has to offer - particularly the city's multidimensional culture and history. I definitely credit CBRS for igniting my passion and willingness to seek opportunities that broaden my outlook both academically and personally!"

04/06/2020

Meet Terence Htoo (CBRS14, SPA/SOE). He's been a busy guy! He recently completed an MA in Education Policy and leadership and took a position as a Research Assistant at Westat.

"Hello! My name is Terence Htoo, and I’m originally from Burma. I grew up there, and I moved to the United States when I was 12. Because of this, I’d like to say that I got to experience the best of both worlds. I spent enough time in Burma to understand what it means to have lived in a developing country with its beautiful cultures coexisting with and struggling against ethnic conflicts. I also moved to the US young enough to really experience what it’s like to grow up in a country full of opportunities but still inching toward equity for all.

Because of this dual identity, I feel as though I’m often a bridge between two cultures especially in my immigrant church community and the Burmese diaspora communities across the United States. Being a part of CBRS complemented the position I find myself in. Through CBRS, the most important thing I learned was to listen and not assume even if I think I already know a lot. While what I already know is certainly valuable, what I do not yet know is much more valuable and worth finding out.

In my line of work as an educator, the lessons and skills I gained from CBRS prove fruitful. I learned to be more student-centered. I realized that cooperating with the students to identify what’s working and what’s not working for them allowed us to mitigate learning barriers and unlock lots of potential."

03/24/2020

Chelsea Cirruzzo
CBRS14

Since graduating from AU, I’ve been working as a local news reporter. One of the biggest issues I cover is homelessness in D.C. When I first started tackling this issue in my reporting, I relied on Professor Palmer and the community organizations we connected with while I was at AU for guidance. Not only did they give me tips on how to be sensitive in my reporting but they also connected me with more groups and people around D.C. All of these sources have been invaluable in keeping an eye on developments and news, but also in building relationships.

One lesson from CBRS sticks with me in my reporting: You don’t just enter communities and start doing service you think will improve things; you ask the community what it needs first. I apply this principle in my reporting by asking communities I’m reporting on how I can earn their trust and how we can connect in a way that makes the community feel the most comfortable and the most heard. This also makes me a stronger reporter when sources I’ve built trust with give me tips on things I wouldn’t otherwise know about.

03/02/2020

Brandan Persaud (CBRS15)

I am originally from Long Beach, New York. I went to public school my whole life and I am currently a 2nd year Teach for America Corps member in Chicago, IL. To me, representation matters. My first teacher of color was in 3rd grade and the next teacher of color I had was not until middle school. Being a gay male teacher of color is super important to me.
I always knew I wanted to go to school in Washington, DC. The different opportunities and activities available to students drew me to AU and to CBRS. I finished AU in 3 years after coming in with college credit and taking courses over the summers. The most impactful experience that I had was doing the CBRS capstone! I partnered with an LGBTQ+ nonprofit called SMYAL, located in South East DC. While partnering with this amazing organization to conduct focus groups with LGBTQ+ youth and adults, I also interned with the same organization.

I was able to learn so much about policy and how to work with educators across the elementary to higher education spectrum. I was then hired full time with SMYAL and worked across schools in DC, Maryland, and Virginia to provide LGBTQ+ cultural competency trainings to faculty and staff. It was this experience that led me to Teach for America. I wanted to work within one school, have my own classroom, and form my own Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA). I am happy to share that I am in my second year of doing this amazing work. I may be the teacher, but I am learning alongside my students every single day.

02/05/2020

We love to see what kind of adventures our scholars get up to outside of the classroom! Cora (CBRS19) is the treasurer of AU Outdoors. I wonder if joining AUO would help me get my steps in...🤔

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8KmlEgBNLw/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

01/29/2020

CBRS is a key part of the AU strategic plan under the Working with Washington imperative.

"AU’s five-year strategic plan, which marks its first anniversary this month, underscores the university’s commitment to “working with Washington” to establish and strengthen our partnerships—in education, arts and culture, and economic development—with current and future changemakers who live and work in our backyard."

Read more here!

The Dual Enrollment partnership with DCPS allows high school seniors to get a jump start on their college education at AU.