Home Madison Meshan Adams, Sedgwick Smith Honored with Madison College Diversity Awards

Meshan Adams, Sedgwick Smith Honored with Madison College Diversity Awards

0
Sedgwick Smith (left) and Meshan Adams

Madison College students Meshan Adams and Sedgwick Smith were recently honored with the Intercultural Council Student Award for Inclusive Excellence in Ethnic Diversity at Madison College’s Celebration of Student Success.

These awards recognize the outstanding accomplishments of students who have contributed to diversity and inclusivity at Madison College. The award recognizes students who have participated in ethnic diversity-related efforts, volunteered with groups that focus on equity and inclusion, and demonstrated leadership in this area while maintaining a 2.5-grade-point average.

Meshan Adams
Meshan Adams

Adams is vice president of team development for the Student Senate and a member of the Student Involvement Team. He is the executive of retention and recruitment for United Common Ground, a student organization that develops, implements and hosts learning programs on diversity, multiculturalism and contemporary issues.

“Meshan often reminded other members to broaden their scope of Madison College students when reaching out to the student body for input,” wrote Tina Marshalek, Student Senate president. “His influence effectively strengthened the Student Senate’s inclusion of minority students when evaluating which issues affect students the most.”

Adams will study Spanish this summer in Costa Rica and hopes to transfer to the UW-Madison to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Eventually, he would like to be a social worker and community activist in Madison and perhaps start a nonprofit organization.

Smith is receiving his liberal arts transfer associate degree this month. He was the president of the Black Student Union and managing editor of the Clarion student newspaper. Smith also served on the Student Activities Board, the Vice President’s Student Advisory Board and worked in the Student Life office.

In addition to volunteering in the community, Smith worked part-time at a building supply store. This summer, Smith will teach writing to sixth- and seventh-grade students in Pittsburg, with the Breakthrough Collaborative, a national education nonprofit addressing the needs of underserved middle school students.

Sedgwick Smith
Sedgwick Smith

“When I was young I didn’t see many people who looked like me in teaching positions,” Smith said in a press release from Madison College. “My father valued education and made sure I kept up with school work. Not everyone has that figure in their life. I would like to do what I can to encourage students to fulfill their potential.”

This fall, Smith will enter the UW-Milwaukee to pursue a bachelor’s degree in political science and Middle Eastern and African studies. Eventually, Smith wants to start a nonprofit organization focused on youth career exploration and preparation through mentoring.

“My plan is to pair professionals with kids for possible internships, skills opportunities, and to find them opportunities, internships, and scholarships as well,” he said.