The University of South Florida prides itself on being deeply connected to its communities,
which includes engagement at the local, national, and international levels. This connection
is reflected in its commitment to the United Nations Millennium Fellowship, an international semester-long leadership program for undergraduate students working
toward global partnerships for peace and prosperity.
This year, 15 USF students were selected to participate in the program, where they
will receive world-class training and carry out projects dedicated to social good
in the Tampa Bay area, while networking and collaborating with peers from around the
globe.
The 15 students selected this year represent USF’s largest Millennium Fellowship cohort
yet. From a record-breaking pool of more than 60,000 applicants from over 7,500 campuses
across the world, more than 290 campuses – just 4% including USF – have been selected
to host 4,000+ Millennium Fellows in 2025.
Students apply for the Millennium Fellowship by proposing projects, either individually or in small groups, that address at least one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These goals were designed to reduce inequality, improve health and education, and spur economic growth. Up to two students are selected from each cohort to serve as campus directors for their university’s projects. This year, biomedical science majors Arni Madhok and Shanelle Chan were chosen to lead the USF group.
"I have already gotten to know students from Ireland and Nigeria." — Arni Madhok
When asked why she applied for the fellowship, Chan said, “I applied to have a larger platform to pursue social impact. A lot of other programs aren’t connected to institutions like the United Nations. We’re able to do more than with just a local club.”
Madhok was particularly excited about meeting students from around the world who had similar goals.
“Several people messaged me after the initial town hall meeting. I have already gotten to know students from Ireland and Nigeria.”
The USF cohort will meet throughout the fall semester as they launch their projects and attend Millennium Fellowship trainings. The USF Office of National Scholars will advise the recipients as they move forward, while mentoring prospective applicants as they prepare for next year's program.
Shanelle Chan
Arni Madhok
Taking Social Impact to the Next Level
In 2015, all United Nations member states adopted a shared blueprint of 17 development goals for global peace and prosperity. With goals including health, sustainability, education, and more, each of the projects proposed by this year’s Millennium Fellows will have effects across Tampa Bay and beyond – addressing one or more of these United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Books & Butterflies
Aims to create a positive association with reading for elementary and middle school
students, particularly those of lower socioeconomic status, through the installation
of Little Free Libraries in target neighborhoods.
Afreen Khan – College of Arts and Sciences
Priya Desai – College of Arts and Sciences
Rhea Joshi – College of Arts and Sciences
Campus Health Check
Will create a program that will host a series of ongoing physical check-up sessions
at the University of South Florida with qualified health care professionals and nurses
to offer fundamental medical tests that encompass a variety of basic health parameters.
Nasser Albustami – College of Arts and Sciences
Catalyst Connect
An online platform designed to help students build successful careers by connecting
them with industry experts and workshops to enhance their resumes, job search strategies,
and internship opportunities.
Arni Madhok – College of Arts and Sciences
Health Care Accessibility for Women
With a primary focus on refugee and immigrant women in the United States, this project will support health care access for women by providing translated health care pamphlets, giving health care courses to women in their native languages, and making translators who are aware of the cultural nuances of different countries available at health appointments.
Wejdan Hajali – College of Arts and Sciences
Herizon
Will build a supportive community for women that fosters growth, both professionally
and academically, by hosting monthly educational and resource-full events that help
women succeed.
Khwahish Jain – College of Business
Shanelle Chan – College of Arts and Sciences
Hidden Gems for a Greener Future
A documentary series that sheds light on Tampa Bay's local businesses and community
groups. These organizations help the environment through simple yet effective methods,
and these videos will highlight individuals and locations that already have an impact
on sustainability to inspire others.
Brady Quinn – College of Arts and Sciences
Inclusive Genetics Initiative
Explores the intersection between genetics and public health by launching an undergraduate-led
initiative focused on gene research, particularly in African or diasporic communities.
Tom Goro – College of Arts and Sciences
Non-Communicable Disease Advocacy Series
Focuses on chronic disease education for diabetes, heart disease, cancer and mental
health, through workshops promoting skills such as diabetes first-aid, blood pressure
and glucose screenings, mental health counseling, and more.
Caroline Pope – College of Arts and Sciences
Vrishni Maharaj – College of Arts and Sciences
Shakti: South Asian Youth Against IPV
Raises awareness about intimate partner violence (IPV) among the student body at USF’s
Tampa campus through a service-learning opportunity with the USF School of Social
Work and Harrell Center to help students recognize what IPV looks like, understand
how it can escalate into dating violence, and learn how to spot red flags early on.
Asmitha Darapaneni – College of Arts and Sciences
Sakshi Wagh – College of Arts and Sciences
Youth Awareness in Neurodegenerative Disorders
Proposes ways for the youth population to learn about the causes and effects of neurodegenerative
disorders through presentations and brochures distributed across campus.
Nuzat Indawala – College of Behavioral and Community Sciences
Broadening USF’s Community Impact
Each of these students’ unique academic experience will bring energy and drive to
each project and to strengthening the Tampa Bay community and promoting international
cooperation.
Many of this year’s Millennium Fellows are students in the Judy Genshaft Honors College, which places an emphasis on global and engaged citizenship. Judy Genshaft Endowed
Honors Dean Charles Adams is excited to see how their work will impact the broader
community.
“This is a real point of pride for the Honors College and USF. Our students are putting
in the work to apply what they are learning here in our classrooms while making important
relationships with community stakeholders that will benefits future generations as
well.”
Director of the USF Office of National Scholars Sayan Basu said, “We are proud that
USF students have for the past few years conceived and implemented innovative projects
which contribute to community well-being on campus and around Tampa.”
To learn more about the United Nations Millennium Fellowship, visit the Office of National Scholars website.