Chhavi Singh ’27 Wins Projects for Peace Award for Work in India</h1> <article> <h1>Chhavi Singh ’27 Wins Projects for Peace Award for Work in India</h1> <p>kviancou — Fri, 24 Apr 2026 13:40:17 +0000</p> <span>Chhavi Singh ’27 Wins Projects for Peace Award for Work in India</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-04-24T09:40:17-04:00" title="Friday, April 24, 2026 - 09:40">Fri, 04/24/2026 - 09:40</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p data-start="402" data-end="759">Chhavi Singh ’27, a <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics">politics</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-studies">environmental studies</a> major from Meerut, India, has received a Projects for Peace grant, a global program that supports student-led peacebuilding initiatives. This summer, Singh will return to Udaipur, India, to establish a community-based sanitary pad production facility in partnership with Seva Mandir, a local NGO.</p><p data-start="761" data-end="1067">The project builds on Singh’s <a href="/winter-term" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="8ba88194-29ef-4cb9-981e-4cce76f001f1" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Winter Term">Winter Term</a> internship in Udaipur, funded by a Shansi In-Asia grant, where she saw firsthand the barriers women face in accessing menstrual health resources. Her initiative focuses on improving access while creating economic opportunities through a women-run production model.</p><p data-start="1069" data-end="1379">At ��سԹ�, Singh is involved in the International Students Organization, Badminton Club, Barefoot Dialogue, Global Conversations, and serves as a resident assistant. Outside the college, she has participated in Dexterity Global, the United Planet Impact Investment Fellowship, and the beVisioneers fellowship. </p><p data-start="1069" data-end="1379">Singh answered these questions about her project:</p><hr data-start="1381" data-end="1384"><p data-start="1386" data-end="1757"><strong data-start="1386" data-end="1462">Tell us about your project and how you will implement it this summer.</strong><br>I will work with Seva Mandir, the local NGO, to establish a small-scale sanitary pad production setup and train local women in manufacturing, quality control, distribution, and financial management. My role will involve coordinating with the NGO, supporting planning and training materials, and helping ensure the initial setup is structured for long-term sustainability.</p><p data-start="2414" data-end="2812"><strong data-start="2414" data-end="2485">How did you learn about the Davis Projects for Peace initiative?</strong><br>I learned about it through ��سԹ�’s Office of Fellowships and Awards. I was immediately drawn to its emphasis on grassroots, community-centered projects. The opportunity to design and implement a project with real impact, particularly in empowering women, really resonated with me.</p><p data-start="3355" data-end="3666"><strong data-start="3355" data-end="3406">What are your future hopes for this project?</strong><br>During my time in the Aravalli Hills [India] a few months ago, I became more aware of the hardships people face in accessing basic necessities such as food, education, and healthcare. Women, whose mobility is often constrained due to social barriers, are among the most affected. Through this project, I hope that women are able not only to gain access to safe menstrual health products, but also to build something of their own and benefit economically from it. I also hope that the project contributes to reducing the stigma surrounding menstruation in the region.</p><p data-start="3956" data-end="4201">The project was designed with sustainability in mind, with the aim of becoming self-sufficient after the initial funding phase. In the long term, I hope it can continue to run independently and gradually expand to other villages and communities.</p><p data-start="4203" data-end="4733"><strong data-start="4203" data-end="4269">Do you have a faculty or staff mentor for this project?</strong><br>My approach has been shaped by my academic experience at ��سԹ� and the guidance I have received from my professors across different courses. In particular, I have drawn on ideas from courses such as Political Economy of Development in Asia with Professor Marc Blecher, along with a broader emphasis on empathy, critical thinking, and developing solutions grounded in local realities.</p><p data-start="4735" data-end="5153"><strong data-start="4735" data-end="4815">What’s the best advice you’ve received from your ��سԹ� faculty mentors?</strong><br>The importance of paying attention to the gap between theory and practice, especially when working on social issues. I have been encouraged to think about how ideas actually play out in real community settings and to stay flexible rather than assuming one approach will fit everywhere. I have also been reminded of the importance of staying hopeful and grounded in the belief that meaningful change is possible, even in challenging contexts.</p><hr><p><em>Visit the </em><a href="/fellowships" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="fd1d04d7-fe3c-4e2a-9531-7ce2864c626d" data-entity-substitution="canonical" title="Fellowships and Awards"><em>Office of Fellowships and Awards</em></a><em> to learn more about the exciting opportunities available to ��سԹ� students.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">The politics and environmental studies major will help establish a women's health initiative in Udaipur.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-04-24T12:00:00Z">Fri, 04/24/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Office of Communications</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2373">Awards and Honors</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4154">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4095">Environmental Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-studies" hreflang="und">Environmental Studies and Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Chhavi Singh</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Bridging Art, Environment, and Public Service Through CELA</h1> <p>kviancou — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 20:34:39 +0000</p> <span>Bridging Art, Environment, and Public Service Through CELA</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-11T16:34:39-04:00" title="Wednesday, March 11, 2026 - 16:34">Wed, 03/11/2026 - 16:34</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Nathaniel Liu ’26 understands why ��سԹ�’s motto, “Learning & Labor,” has stuck around so long: it’s because the <a href="/center-engaged-liberal-arts">Center for Engaged Liberal Arts (CELA)</a> connects students’ academic interests with real-world experiences, allowing the two to inform one another as students navigate college and life beyond ��سԹ�.</p><p>Throughout his time at ��سԹ�, Liu has participated in winter term micro-internships, which allow students to gain internship experience and winter term project credit through ��سԹ�-affiliated activities on and off campus. ��سԹ�’s <a href="/career">Career Exploration and Development</a> office, within the CELA space, sponsors the program.</p><p>First, Liu apprenticed with an ��سԹ� alumnus at his sculpture studio in New York City. There, he applied his classroom-based photography and videography skills in a professional, day-to-day context. “I realized that while I enjoyed the work, the lifestyle of a professional artist was not for me. It was a valuable lesson: learning what you don’t want to do is as important as learning what you do.”</p><p>With new career aspirations, Liu pursued another winter term micro-internship, writing articles about climate change for the National Park Service. Although the position was cut short due to political tensions in the U.S., he retained his passion for environmental communication. “I learned that unpredictability is often the price of environmental public service, yet it only solidified my commitment to the field.”</p><p>Next, with guidance and support from CELA’s <a href="/fellowships">Fellowships and Awards</a> office, Liu applied for several prestigious fellowships and ultimately earned the Udall Undergraduate Scholarship for Environmental Studies.</p><p>Overall, CELA has honed Liu’s practical skills and clarified his future plans. “CELA has done more than just provide work experience; it has helped me identify and fill the gaps in my skill set, ensuring my education remains aligned with my professional goals.”</p><p>After graduating, Liu—a triple major in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-studies" target="_blank">environmental studies</a>, <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/east-asian-studies" target="_blank">East Asian studies</a>, and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" target="_blank">politics</a>—plans to pursue a fellowship in Asia. He looks forward to further refining his interests and goals, with the hope of returning to Maine for a long-term career in environmental public service.</p><p>Liu is a nominee for the CELA Award, recognizing outstanding engagement and achievement in connecting academic pursuits with experiential learning.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Through an arts apprenticeship, climate communication, and a Udall Scholarship, Nathaniel Liu ’26 connects experiential learning with a career in environmental public service.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-11T12:00:00Z">Wed, 03/11/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">By Kate Martin ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4074">East Asian Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4154">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4095">Environmental Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4080">Fellowships</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/east-asian-studies" hreflang="und">East Asian Studies</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>From the Great Lakes to the East Coast: Connecting Research and Service</h1> <p>kviancou — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 20:19:57 +0000</p> <span>From the Great Lakes to the East Coast: Connecting Research and Service</span> <span><span>kviancou</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-03-11T16:19:57-04:00" title="Wednesday, March 11, 2026 - 16:19">Wed, 03/11/2026 - 16:19</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Nyrobi Whitfield ’26 found that learning beyond the classroom through ��سԹ�’s <a href="/center-engaged-liberal-arts">Center for the Engaged Liberal Arts </a>(CELA) has informed her personal values as well as her plans for the future.</p><p>Whitfield began her CELA journey at ��سԹ� as a member of the <a href="/undergraduate-research/programs/strong">STRONG</a> and <a href="/bcsl">Bonner Scholars</a> programs, which she cites as integral to establishing a sense of confidence and intentionality in her research pursuits.</p><p>Run by ��سԹ� Undergraduate Research (OUR), the STRONG Scholars Program provides a specialized first-year experience designed to help students adapt to college and thrive in their STEM journey at ��سԹ�, including early research opportunities, close mentoring from STEM faculty and staff, community building, and academic skill-building for STEM courses.</p><p>Whitfield’s first research experience through STRONG was in Professor Rachel Eveleth’s aquatic science lab. It was there that she connected her passion for swimming with her interest in environmental and geological science, studying the biogeochemistry of the Great Lakes.</p><p>After her first-year research experience at ��سԹ�, Whitfield conducted marine ecology research at UConn Avery Point’s summer program. There, she put classroom material into action, gaining hands-on experience studying coastal environments. “Concepts that once lived only in lecture notes—nutrient cycling, species interactions, environmental gradients—became tangible in the ecosystems I was studying,” she says.</p><p>The Bonner Scholars Program is a four-year scholarship that provides selected students with community service and leadership opportunities. For her Bonner service, Whitfield worked as a lifeguard and swim instructor, which demonstrated to her the value of making a difference in the lives of others through community engagement. Additionally, as an eco rep for the Office of Environmental Sustainability, Whitfield connects her passion for environmental science with real-world event management and campus engagement, further affirming her commitment to service.</p><p>“Together, these two experiences taught me something central to my CELA journey: impact is not only measured by scale, but by intention.”</p><p>Now, Whitfield—who is double-majoring in <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/geosciences">geoscience</a> and <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-studies">environmental studies</a>—is a research ambassador for OUR. In that role, she helps fellow students forge their own paths through research and community engagement, drawing from her experiences in Bonner, STRONG, and CELA more broadly. “Being a research ambassador feels like the natural extension of everything Bonner and STRONG taught me.</p><p>“Each opportunity taught me something different, yet all reinforced the same lesson: learning extends far beyond the classroom,” she adds. “It happens in community pools, labs, offices, and during late-night conversations—wherever students show up with purpose.”</p><p>After graduating, Whitfield plans to pursue a PhD in marine ecology and a career in climate change research. “My CELA journey has given me the tools, values, and sense of purpose I will carry with me as I begin my post-��سԹ� path.”</p><p>Whitfield is a nominee for the CELA Award, recognizing outstanding engagement and achievement in connecting academic pursuits with experiential learning.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">A STRONG Scholar, Bonner Scholar, and research ambassador, Nyrobi Whitfield ’26 blends marine ecology research, community engagement, and experiential learning to shape a career path.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2026-03-11T12:00:00Z">Wed, 03/11/2026 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">By Kate Martin ’26</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3846">Engaged Liberal Arts</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4095">Environmental Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2381">Bonner Center</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/geosciences" hreflang="und">Geosciences</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-studies" hreflang="und">Environmental Studies and Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Tanya Rosen-Jones ’97</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-article-header field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">0</div> </article> <article> <h1>Knocking It Out Of The Park</h1> <p>dfrezza — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 15:40:11 +0000</p> <span>Knocking It Out Of The Park</span> <span><span>dfrezza</span></span> <span><time datetime="2025-04-24T11:40:11-04:00" title="Thursday, April 24, 2025 - 11:40">Thu, 04/24/2025 - 11:40</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Last fall, Max Anastasio ’23 set himself a goal to find a new job in 2025. That ambition became a reality in February when he was hired by the Cincinnati Reds.</p> <p>“I just had my whole life picked up and rustled around,” he says. "I got the job offer and I packed all my stuff up, moved back home, and caught a flight out to Arizona for spring training.”</p> <p>Max has recently begun his first season as a performance affiliate coach for the Reds, working in tandem with the organization’s player development and sports science departments.</p> <p>“In my performance coach role, I do athlete monitoring,” he explains. “I’ll be in the weight room doing strength testing on players; we do a lot of grip strength and jump testing. I work with them to get those measurements and do reports to make sure that our athletes are not only staying healthy but also progressing. I’m also able to be on the field in full uniform and do the coaching aspect.” </p> <p>Max played first base for ��سԹ� College’s varsity baseball team and continued his college sports career as he earned his MBA at Baldwin Wallace University. He’s delighted to be working in professional baseball now, calling the opportunity “a gift.”</p> <p>“I’m so lucky to have even been given this offer,” he says. “The coaching side of the job requires a lot of rapport that you need to build up with players, so working on that will make for a fun season of learning. I’ve been learning from the other coaches who have so much experience and have done this a million times before me, so I’ve been trying to soak up information from them.”</p> <figure class="captioned-image obj-right"> <figcaption>Max Anastasio, in his Cincinnati Reds uniform,<br> works for the organization both on and off the field.</figcaption> </figure> <p>Max’s position also requires him to play an analytical role, which he enjoys. </p> <p>“I pull the data of all the strength training we’ve ever collected on players and cross-reference that across similar position groups,” he says. “I can look at a player’s history and see how they’ve progressed during their time in the organization. So my main concern has been data-oriented: Are our players getting better at the rate we want them to get better?”</p> <p>Max got an introduction to this skill set during his time at ��سԹ�. As an <a href="/node/3386">economics</a> and <a href="/node/3196">environmental studies</a> double major, he got his first taste of coding languages and data analysis in associate professor <a href="/node/43971">Paul Brehm</a>’s classroom.</p> <p>“Professor Brehm was such an awesome professor to have,” he says. “What I really enjoy about econ is the data analysis. I took his environmental economics and energy economics courses and those were what I enjoyed the most.” </p> <p>In true Obie fashion, Max is dedicated to growth and improvement, and believes camaraderie brings joint success.</p> <p>“I want to build up that rapport, résumé, and wealth of knowledge in my own head so I can be of use to the athletes I work with,” he says. “I want to keep developing myself and promoting my professional development for the foreseeable future.”</p> <p>Max also imparts some advice he learned from a grad school mentor, who discouraged him from accepting any career that felt like settling or compromising. </p> <p>“You could be making a sacrifice that you don’t necessarily want to make,” he says. “Do exactly what you want to do and don’t concede an inch on that.”</p> <hr> <p><em>If you’re excited about everything the future has in store, check out <a href="/node/4521">Career Exploration and Development</a> to learn how ��سԹ� can help you turn your passions into a fulfilling career.</em></p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-subhead field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">From studying economics to MLB coaching, Max Anastasio '23 is paving his way with perseverance.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Story</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2025-04-28T12:00:00Z">Mon, 04/28/2025 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Danielle Frezza</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After ��سԹ�</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=3925">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4095">Environmental Studies</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2771">Athletics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4299">Baseball</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4300">MBA</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=4301">Grad School</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/economics" hreflang="und">Economics</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/environmental-studies" hreflang="und">Environmental Studies and Science</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Steve Schooner</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>