Only five SMU students were selected for the most prestigious Human Rights honor the Embrey Human Rights Program offers – the Community Outreach Fellowship. This year-long program allows student to serve the Dallas community in a more personalized and directed way.

“Fellows can design a project around virtually any issue that they care about or feel connected to,” said Bradley Klein, assistant director of the Embrey Human Rights Program. “There really are no limits on the possibilities.”

Out of 30 applicants, only five students were chosen. The Community Outreach Fellowship was created in 2014. This year’s group of fellows are only the second cohort of the program.

The Community Outreach Fellows include juniors Liliana Garcia and Samantha Butz, and graduate students Daryl Parker, Sanda Ostad and Vanna Ngo. Aside from Human Rights, these students represent majors and specializations in creative writing, international studies, fashion media and advertising.

Parker, a second-year Master of Liberal Studies student, said she plans to establish a non-profit organization that provides investigative services to indigent defendants in the criminal justice system.

“I know the mentorship and networks available through the Embrey Human Rights Program and the Dedman School of Law will greatly enhance both my effectiveness and sphere of influence in my efforts at criminal justice reform,” Parker said.

All fellows will have a close mentorship – with the Human Rights staff and the organizations they will work with in the Dallas community.

“The mentorship allows a rare level of access and engagement with relevant experts,” Klein said.

Like Parker, Garcia, an international studies major, also has big goals for her fellowship.

“I hope to gain more experience, grow as a leader, and help make a difference in the field of education,” Garcia said.

To learn more about the Community Outreach Fellowship and take a look at the application, visit the Embrey Human Rights Program’s website.