Transylvania University senior Aaron Martin has received the IU Lilly Family School of Philanthropy Fellowship to pursue her master’s degree in philanthropic studies.
The fellowship will cover 95 percent of her tuition, and she will receive a $12,000 graduate assistantship.
“I’m very honored and humbled to be offered the fellowship and assistantship,” Martin said. “I love the holistic and balanced experience that the program offers, and I’m incredibly grateful that I’ve been given the opportunity to pursue that education next year.”
Martin has a double major in psychology and writing, rhetoric, and communication.
Martin also keeps busy outside the classroom, serving as president of the Student Activities Board and as a Writing Center consultant. Additionally, her work in the university’s Office of Campus and Community Engagement— which provides members of the Transylvania community with opportunities to fulfill their civic responsibility—helped spark her interest in philanthropy. She participated in a variety of service events hosted by the office with organizations like The Nest, YMCA, God’s Pantry and Habitat for Humanity. She also served on the Food Justice Team her first three years at Transy, working closely with the Harrison Backpack Project and London Ferrell Community Garden.
Off campus, Martin worked as a development intern at the Living Arts and Science Center this past summer.
“I’m motivated to work in philanthropy because I always want my work to be about more than just me,” she said. “My education at Transy has helped me recognize different issues and concerns—from our local community to the greater global community. I think it becomes very easy to look at all the things happening in the world and just enter this state of despair. Studying philanthropy, for me, is a way to reclaim that knowledge and actually do something about it. I’m too much of an optimist to believe change can’t be achieved, and I believe it’s my responsibility to be a part of that and help in any way I can.”
Her dream career is to work with a nonprofit or philanthropic organization in either development or marketing. “My work, primarily with SAB and the Rambler, has helped me realize my passion in those two areas. I don’t really have a preference for the type of organization, although I have always been very passionate about the lack of STEM education, especially for young girls, so I guess that would be the ultimate dream—to combat that. “
We are spotlighting the success of our graduating seniors through the May 25 commencement. Follow the #Transy2019 class on social media with #TransyGrad.