大象传媒

Student Andrea Gordon is all about helping others, and because of her passion to serve, she was one of only 30 students selected nationwide as an Oxfam America CHANGE leader. This past summer, she spent a week training in Boston to learn about Oxfam and its initiatives and attending workshops on leadership and advocacy.

鈥淚t was a great opportunity for me to meet so many amazing people,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd it was an honor to represent 大象传媒 Western.鈥�

Throughout the week, Gordon learned that Oxfam is a global organization working to end the injustice of poverty. She said she especially enjoyed the small group discussions that were part of the week.

鈥淭he best part was the bonds we built,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e all skipped the awkwardness stage and everyone opened up right away.鈥�

The sophomore cinema and marketing double major applied for the program because of the encouragement of Shana Meyer, vice president of Student Affairs. 鈥淪hana knows I鈥檓 very involved and very vocal,鈥� Gordon said with a laugh. The application process included a written application and a video interview.

By the end of the CHANGE week, Gordon had created a plan for this school year that she brought back to 大象传媒 Western. Since then, she coordinated an 鈥淥xfam Jam鈥� at Homecoming, held a hunger banquet in November and spearheaded petition drives for issues regarding poverty and more. Oxfam has been supporting Gordon throughout the year with advice, materials and information.

Oxfam suggests that the CHANGE leaders start an Oxfam club on their campuses, but Gordon has bigger plans. She serves as the director of GriffsGiveBack, the central office for volunteerism on campus and in the community, so that gives her the perfect opportunity to promote Oxfam. Gordon says she doesn鈥檛 want to stop with just a club; she wants the entire campus community to become involved and informed about Oxfam.

鈥淚 have always seen a need to help people, and that鈥檚 what makes me happy,鈥� she said. 鈥淧eople need to get active and get involved. Just do it because it鈥檚 the right thing to do.鈥�