Alexandria Lilly

“Alexandria Lilly lives, always, with the belief that through her words and actions she can improve lives,” said a nominator.

Alex knows the power of language and uses it with intentionality across her roles as a student, writer, and tutor. No matter who she is interacting with, her first instinct is to form a meaningful connection. This, she knows, is the foundation for learning, growing, and building community.

Alex serves as a tutor for Elimisha Kakuma, a college-access, college-prep program based in the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.

A nominator said, “Tutors have to both be cheerleaders and correct grammar mistakes, be friends and mentors, and embody the values of the program without dismissing other worldviews.

Alex has done exemplary work in this regard, always treating her students with care and compassion while still being an exacting teacher and mentor.”

One of her students said, “Alex is an embodiment of speaking with clarity while also making space for my own voice.”

Alex is passionate about breaking down barriers to higher education because, through her work, she has seen how access to learning can transform confidence, opportunities, and long-term outcomes.

Alex excels at using language to foster connection, but she does not depend on it. While studying abroad in Paris, she spent her free time volunteering to bring food to migrants. Despite not sharing a language with most of the people she served, she found ways to communicate and build relationships.

Alex has also participated in the Afghan Conversation Project, where a nominator said that Alex’s ability to “listen, engage, support, talk through differences, and respect other points of view” proved critical for helping members of the Female Tactical Platoon learn English and adjust to life in the United States.

A nominator from the program said, “Alex is not only my mentor, but she also supports me like a friend.”

Alex also writes for the Collegiate Times, contributing stories on connection and community-building.

She is proud to lead a life of dedicated service. She said, “I hope to cultivate unity in communities all over the world.”

Alex is a senior majoring in environmental science and minoring in wetland science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She is also minoring in displacement studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

After graduation, she plans to pursue a career at the intersection of international education, environmental justice, and refugee advocacy, designing education programs for displaced and climate-affected communities.

For using empathy and compassion to build bridges around the world, Student Affairs is proud to present the Aspire! Award for Practice Civility to Alexandria Lilly.