Staff Highlight: First-Year Fellows
Niko Keddy
With my first year of college near-complete (albeit virtually) I can confidently say that being a first-year fellow with the Kennedy Political Union has been the highlight of my AU experience. Transitioning to college is full of uncertainties in a normal year, and especially so during a global pandemic. No one was excited about an all virtual semester, and we certainly weren’t looking forward to it a second time. For a lot of freshmen including myself, the struggle to find a sense of belonging in a new environment with new people was daunting. Luckily, I did not have to look very far before finding the Kennedy Political Union.
KPU has granted me the opportunity to work with a group of some of the most talented students American University has to offer, and it has been a privilege to learn from them this past year. Whether it be engaging in outreach with congressional representatives, senators, and other notable individuals, sharing our events on social media, or planning them down to the minute, each and every member of the team fulfills their roles with the type of skill and professionalism that most workplaces yearn for. To simply observe all this happening was exciting enough, but KPU welcomed all of us first-year-fellows with open arms.
Each and every member of the team was happy to include us in their meetings, projects, and tasks each week. There was never a time where we were told we could not do something, and at times when assistance was needed, I never had to look very far. Being a first-year fellow during a completely virtual school year, I was definitely worried about there being a disconnect between myself and a group of such close friends and teammates, but that feeling disappeared the moment we began our first meeting of the year. I have never before experienced a group of people who are so quick to welcome new members nor have I felt so immediately accepted.
As a freshman at AU, the opportunity to be a member of KPU has been an absolute joy and is something I hope to continue for the rest of my time here. Whether it be preparing for events, meeting with the team, or just pitching in when needed, I learned a great deal and had an amazing time doing so. For all those seeking a sense of community at AU, I would look no further than the Kennedy Political Union. I am forever grateful to KPU for being chosen as a first-year fellow. This has truly been an unforgettable experience and something I will cherish for years to come.
Keighly Butler
My favorite event was our conversation with Senator Sarah McBride. It was so amazing to see such a powerful woman and AU alum speak about her experiences. She said hello to every single person on the team, and I felt so seen. It was also really cool to see her praise Connor, the KPU production logistics manager who worked on her campaign. Seeing moderators and speakers have great stage chemistry over zoom was a unique and unforgettable experience. Being a part of KPU made my freshman year. I felt unrooted, but KPU took me under its wing, and I am so grateful. I am excited to see what speakers our team brings, and hopefully, possibly by next spring, we can facilitate in-person conversations. Not to be dramatic, but being a first-year fellow prepares you for life. From collaborating on a team to working as a leader, to producing an entire event, KPU prepares the fellows to be great citizens, students, and community leaders.
Sonia Saini
It was a privilege to be a member of this team as a freshman in college. I cannot thank the KPU team enough for how welcoming and inclusive they have been throughout the year. I am thankful for their patience during this learning experience, and for their skills and expertise that they have shared with me. As I reflect on the past two semesters, I recognize how rare it is for a freshman in college to have the opportunity to not only listen to but meet (virtually) some of the most relevant speakers in the political field, such as Dr. Angela Davis and Dr. Anthony Fauci. These experiences have allowed me to develop a level of professionalism I will carry with me for both future engagements and my career. From the very first meeting I attended, the impact of this organization was evident. I look forward to applying the knowledge I have acquired from shadowing each distinct section of the KPU team to other organizations and events at American. Though the KPU team consists of less than twenty-five members, each member is highly engaged within the AU community, which further enriches the organization through our various backgrounds and expertise.
Although my experience with KPU has only been in the virtual setting, I have come to realize how beneficial this will be as the world continues to transition to virtual platforms. From composing emails and announcements to editing the transcript of a virtual event, there is something to learn from every experience I have shared with this team. I am excited to see how KPU will transition from a virtual to an in-person setting in the coming school year. I hope they continue to amplify Black voices and collaborate with other student organizations to better represent every aspect of the AU community. I cannot stress how thankful I am for my experience on the KPU team this year, and I highly recommend others to apply to be First-Year Fellows in the future. KPU will broaden your thinking and will teach you how to work efficiently and successfully in a large team of individuals, which is a critical skill sought after by many organizations. Be prepared to learn as you go, and never shy away from a challenge. KPU has made the largest impact on my freshman experience, and I cannot wait to see how they continue to influence the lives of other college freshmen in the future.
