Avery Usher, a first year Hastings College student from Lincoln, Nebraska, is one of just 20 students selected for Interfaith America’s Bridgebuilders Relating Across Interfaith Differences (BRAID) student fellowship, a competitive program open to undergraduates anywhere in the nation.
Interfaith America is an organization founded on the belief that religious differences should not be a barrier of division, but a bridge to connection. The BRAID fellowship selects student leaders who will cultivate an ethos for respect, relationship building and cooperation across differences in America.
During her time with this program, Usher will work with her sponsor, Dr. Dorothy Dean, assistant professor of religion at Hastings College, as well as a mentor from Interfaith America throughout the spring semester. Usher’s project is to promote religious and civic pluralism at Hastings College.
“This is a big opportunity for Avery and I’m extremely proud of her,” Dean said. “It is remarkable for a first-year student to engage in this kind of undertaking. I see Avery’s participation in the fellowship program as a win not only for her, but also for Hastings College’s ongoing efforts to foster a diverse and inclusive campus community.”
In February, Usher will attend an opening leadership retreat in Salt Lake City, Utah. Then in August, she’ll be at the Interfaith Leadership Summit in Chicago, Illinois.
“I applied because of the goals of Interfaith America and the BRAID program, interfaith bridge building and fighting polarization are philosophies that I support,” Usher said. “BRAID has provided a great opportunity to make a difference on campus in a way that I am passionate about.”
Usher received $1,000 for her on campus project, as well as a stipend and paid travel expenses for the two in-person conferences.
Hastings College is a four-year residential college that focuses on student academic and extracurricular achievement. Discover more at hastings.edu.
