Cristian Ramos, a 2018 graduate from University of North Georgia (UNG) with a degree in communication with a concentration in organizational leadership, was a 2017 Newman Civic Fellow and one of only 273 students selected to lead.
He was also awarded a scholarship to participate in the Leadership and the American Presidency Fall 2017 program through the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute – both programs are designed to recognize and reward students committed to public service and civic engagement.
"I have a deep commitment to assisting the local Latino community through volunteerism, political engagement and campus leadership. I was also actively involved with local political campaigns as well as on-campus initiatives that encourage students to vote and get involved in politics," Ramos said.
At UNG, he facilitated classroom discussions on issues of diversity. He also completed the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials Institute for Leadership certificate.
He was selected to intern with the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C. in the fall of 2018.
"Like a lot of people from my generation, I have the desire to reach my highest potential through continuous and engaged learning. But I expect this to occur while engaging in higher theological, philosophical and political questions and ideas that moderate the way that I serve my community," Ramos said. "I agree with the known adage that service is the rent that we pay for living in this world, although I must add what we all know, that rent is higher depending on where one lives. For that reason, I feel an enormous debt for living in one of the greatest countries in history, the United States of America, and I am eager to give back where and when I can."