By Miranda Lee, CCL Student Assistant
During her freshman year Natalie Festa signed up for the CCL’s Alternative Fall Break focused on water justice in Houston, her hometown. She found herself understanding her city in a new light as she learned in-depth about issues that she had never experienced first-hand, but that had been plaguing fellow Houstonians for years. Natalie knew she wanted to get involved with the CCL during her time at Rice because of how much she enjoyed her experience working at non-profits in high school. But it was after her Alternative Fall Break that she realized how key the CCL would be in seeing and learning about aspects of Houston that she had not been exposed to before. Natalie appreciated the opportunity to understand and explore these issues through the purposeful framework of reflection and critical thinking that the CCL emphasizes.
Later in her freshman year, Natalie participated in an Alternative Spring Break (ASB), one similarly themed around issues of water justice. This time, however, the focus was on the experience of Latinx communities in New Mexico. Natalie’s experiences through the CCL became the impetus for her to apply to be an Urban Immersion site leader. She wanted to provide incoming students what she had so valued: the chance to learn about Houston--perhaps their hometown as well--in a unique and thought-provoking way. Natalie and the rest of the team of site leaders spent most of Spring semester and much of their Summer planning activities, writing curriculum, coordinating with community partners, and preparing everything for the upcoming program.
In her time as a site leader, Natalie learned about the challenges of educating on critical issues in Houston. Participants came from diverse backgrounds, with different levels of knowledge and awareness of critical frameworks. In order to create an environment that encouraged critical thinking, respect, and collaboration, Natalie herself reflected on the kind of leader she needed to be and what defined this type of leader.
“I think the most effective leaders are able to share their passions with other people.” Natalie opined wisely. “And in that way, when someone is sharing their passion with you, you’re more motivated to listen and engage because they’re taking the time to engage and be a mentor, and listen to you.”