Jordyn Lewis

To Jordyn Lewis, civility means “fostering an environment where everyone feels heard and valued, regardless of their background or experiences.”

She said, “By staying open to learning and listening, even to those with differing opinions, I believe we can come together, grow, and create a more inclusive environment, leading to more productive change.”

In her role as Sustainability Program Assistant in the Office of Sustainability, Jordyn engages with students of all beliefs and backgrounds when it comes to sustainability and climate change. When tabling at events, her nominator said, “She enters every single conversation with respect and civility, aiming to connect with each person rather than to compete with their beliefs.”

In cases of differing opinions, Jordyn said, “I always keep in mind that it's never me versus the other person, but rather us versus the issue.”

Her sense of civility stems from her desire for community and the belief that we all have something to learn from each other.

A nominator said, “Through active listening, empathy, unwavering positivity, and creativity, Jordyn invests in the people around her and helps them launch and develop their own civic leadership identities through the process.”

Jordyn is passionate about all aspects of sustainability, from the natural environment to creating social equity. She recently developed a project to expand food access by connecting Living Learning Communities with food pantries on campus and in the local community.

Jordyn also serves as Civic Engagement Program Assistant for VT Engage. In partnership with VT Engage, she has played an essential role in the creation of the New River Environmental Coalition.

A nominator said that Jordyn's idea for the coalition was born from wanting to break down silos between groups with similar goals so they can work stronger together. The nominator noted, “This is definitely a trend in Jordyn: finding connections and fostering collaboration to support the community.”

The nominators said that Jordyn’s positivity, empathy, and perspective will have a lasting impact on VT Engage.

Jordyn also helps teach, coordinate, and mentor for the Civic Leadership Academy. The nominator said that Jordyn's thoughtful leadership has played a fundamental role in helping the academy succeed.

Jordyn is also the president of the Environmental Coalition club. She said, “My passion lies in environmental justice and ensuring that future generations can experience everything we do and more. My dedication to justice, both for the environment and for people, drives me to advocate for a sustainable and equitable future.”

Jordyn is a junior majoring in Environmental Conservation and Society in the College of Natural Resources and Environment and minoring in Leadership and Social Change in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. While she is still figuring out exactly what her future holds, she said, “What I do know for sure is that I want to have a positive impact on the communities I’m a part of and contribute to bettering the environment in any way I can.”

Jordyn doesn’t just build bridges; she unearths common ground that was there all along. For her work in fostering communities that see and serve everyone, Student Affairs is proud to present the Aspire! Award for Practice CIVILITY to Jordyn Lewis.