From the president
Rhea Clayton, a Berea College junior and Bonner Scholar, pursuing a double major in Peace and Social Justice Studies and French, as well as a minor in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, is a stellar model of Berea’s commitment to “Learning, Work, and Service.” Rhea holds a leadership position with Berea’s Center for Excellence in Learning through Service (CELTS), managing a program that provides service and advocacy opportunities for students, in collaboration with community-based organizations. She also holds a leadership position with a student organization focused on promoting information, resources, and dialogue about reproductive health and rights. Rhea is particularly committed to creating spaces for education that empower people to share their perspectives and that provide them with information and resources so that they can take action. Rhea has described her solution-focused, asset-based approach to leadership and community engagement this way, “Opening a space for asking questions, sharing experiences, and listening to each other is the most productive way to build community and work toward collaborative solutions.” Rhea’s approach to leadership will facilitate the innovative approaches and effective solutions needed to address the complex and pressing challenges of our times.
Personal Statement
When addressing social issues, I believe the first step is to understand the root cause. It is important to talk with people impacted by public problems to understand the systems contributing to the issue. To develop effective solutions, those affected need to have a voice at the table. Judgement free education is a next step. Although it can be difficult, it is necessary to listen to people’s perspectives and meet them where they are. Opening a space for asking questions, sharing experiences, and listening is the most productive way to build community and work toward collaborative solutions. These are two of the most important aspects to a democracy: having the ability to make informed decisions and think critically about the systems in place.
I bring these approaches to my own advocacy work: learning what people need, doing my best to meet those needs, and fostering education. I am a leader in CELTS, Berea College’s community-engagement center, where I focus on advocacy through service and creating partnerships with local community organizations. Additionally, I am President of Gen Action, a reproductive justice organization on campus that holds educational events on reproductive rights and sexual health, distributes contraceptives, and holds peer-to-peer education sessions.