As a young student, Samuel has already made strides toward effecting change. Through community marches, nonpartisan organizations, and legislative proposals, he is setting the bar for what it means to be a difference maker.

Increasing voter engagement

“During the Spring 2022 semester, I worked as a research assistant for 'Turn Up Turnout' at UM-Dearborn, a nonpartisan organization that works with students, faculty, and staff to increase student voter engagement. We focus on initiatives in voter registration, education, and turnout. For my virtual dinner topic, I chose to lead 'Dinners for Democracy' on Gun Violence Prevention. These dinners focused on how various changes in gun legislation can take place at the ballot box.

“I really enjoyed leading the Dinners for Democracy because during the presentations students would have a chance to talk to other students in break-out rooms and dive deeper into the importance of the topic. It was incredible to see the conversations that students would be having over such important public policy.”

Pitching legislation that matters

“In Spring 2022, I worked as the District office intern for Rep. Andy Levin’s office. The big accomplishment from this experience is my capstone project which I prepped throughout the semester. The goal of the capstone project was to find a piece of legislation that the Congressman might be receptive to cosponsoring and then creating a memo and pitching it to him. For my project, I pitched H.R. 6862, keeping evictions off credits reports during COVID-19. I chose a housing-related bill for my policy capstone because I have seen the impact eviction can have on the credit report of individuals trying to rent in Michigan. I have also seen the pandemic affect the financial hardship of families all across where I live in Dearborn and back home in Dayton. The effects of COVID-19, combined with eviction, should not be the result of a further housing crisis. For uncontrollable reasons, workers were forced not to work and they should not be denied housing because of it. 

“After a 1-hour one-on-one conversation with the Congressman, I am proud to say I was successful in getting Congressman Levin to cosponsor H.R. 6862. I am also proud to say while working for Rep. Levin, one of my Congressional Record drafts was also published into Congress.gov official record, and now my writing is in Congress.”

Multiple ambitions, but one goal: Public Service

“I love public service and promoting causes that result in greater social justice and transparency in government. My goal is to work in a field of government that allows me to directly impact the lives of constituents by making substantive legislative changes. I could see myself eventually working as a staffer in the U.S. House or Senate or potentially working for some international departments such as the State Department. On the public policy side of things, I want to help draft and write a public policy that will become either an international statute or U.S. law. My plan is to continue my education with a Master’s of Public Policy and concentrate my studies on human rights and the impact of big money in politics.”