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Under Discussion | Spring 2015 3 A passion for public service has led one 2010 alumna to be chosen for a new fellowship at the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security in Washington, D.C. Mara D'Amico, who majored in Spanish and international business, was one of three chosen nationally as the first cohort of Hillary Rodham Clinton Fellows. D'Amico will serve as the communication fellow, while the other fellows will focus on law and research. "Through this experience, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the specific field of women, peace and security within the broader field of women and gender issues," said D'Amico, a native of Kentwood. "I want to continue to figure out the role that I play in addressing these structural, societal issues and continuously strive for justice and equality for women and girls." As the first HRC Communications Fellow, D'Amico will lay the foundation for the institute's future communication efforts and handle its day-to-day communications. This will involve everyday tasks such as social media, blog posts, website updates and news releases, as well as formulating and implementing a strategic communications plan for the institute. After graduating from CMU in May 2010, D'Amico served two years with AmeriCorps, supporting civic engagement in higher education at Miami Dade College and the University of Miami. Advocating for female justice and equalit y CMU alumna first to receive prestigious communication fellowship In the fall of 2012, D'Amico began her pursuit of a Master of Public Service degree, which she recently received from the Clinton School of Public Service in Little Rock, Arkansas. Her studies and field service focused on services and policies for marginalized groups, including formerly incarcerated individuals in Little Rock, survivors of gender-based violence in Nicaragua, and women and girls in Arkansas. "During my time at the Clinton School, I had the chance to work with some incredible people and organizations, narrow my focus within the field of public service, and learn a great deal about finding community-driven solutions to systemic social problems," D'Amico said. The fellowship is a yearlong position available to graduates of Georgetown University and the Clinton School of Public Service. • Photo credit: Robert Fogarty Dear World

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