Hey! I'm excited to welcome you to my blog page! I'm Andrea Agola, a '26 born in Kenya and raised just outside of D.C. As the eldest child of three, I'm the first to go off to college! I'm glad Dartmouth will enable me to explore both the sciences and humanities. Don't even get me started on the numerous extracurriculars that pique my interest, like the Dartmouth Center for Social Impact, research projects and dance groups. Follow along as I navigate this unique college experience!
Academic Program
Sociology major, International Studies Minor, Pre-Med
Favorite Thing Right Now
Studying abroad on the French LSA+ in Toulouse, France!
When I began my first term at Dartmouth, I knew I wanted to explore the French language and culture more after having been a French music and film fan for as long as I can remember. This was an accelerated course that covered French 1 and 2 in one term and offered an exciting and fast-paced atmosphere. The small nature of our class allowed us all to have more speaking time in class from partner activities to performing creative skits. One of the best assignments was a scavenger hunt! I was also able to learn and make a presentation about francophone countries. This class really prompted me to apply for the ‘24 Winter–Toulouse, France Study Abroad which I got accepted into!
This course considers the discipline and political happenings of Black Feminist Thought by highlighting interlocking issues related to gender, sexuality, race, and economics. The professor was amazing! I was always genuinely excited to do her assigned readings/viewings and remember being sad when she canceled class one day (imagine!). I reveled in the thought-provoking, warm, restorative (the list goes on & on) ambience that she fostered. I even took advantage of a cool opportunity that Dartmouth offers, the “Take a Faculty Member out To Lunch” program at Pine Restaurant across from campus. I enjoyed the lovely conversation we had over delicious food. Her class was such a great source of empowerment!
This course examines the epidemiology and social impact of past and present infectious disease epidemics. It was a great and insightful class to take for the Global Health Minor! I had the chance of hearing from many influential guest lecturers like the Former Minister of Health of Rwanda and a key member of the U.S Covid Task Force.
This course explores causes and patterns of global poverty and links this with the urgent need for care and care ethics in our lives and in society broadly. Not only did the class feel like such a caring environment but it was especially interesting because it had a Social Impact Practicum (SIP) component. A SIP is a project-based experiential learning opportunity connecting undergraduate courses at Dartmouth with community needs identified by nonprofit organizations. In other words, a SIP is a real-world project with real-world impact. My SIP was my care work as a UGA within Dartmouth's Residential Life.
As April is Sexual Assault Action Month, the Student and Presidential Committee on Sexual Assault (SPCSA) held its inaugural Saturday morning 5K run/walk event to raise funds for WISE, the leading survivor advocacy center in the Upper Valley that partners with Dartmouth to provide support to all members of our community. 300+ registered participants joined in showing solidarity for survivors of sexual violence and gendered-based violence, celebrating the strength of the Dartmouth community, and uplifting a vital resource to all.
Runners during the SPCSA 5k!
The Central Americans United Student Association held a Mexican candy bag sale to support and uplift the large migrant farmworker community in the Upper Valley. This fundraiser was held in a central part of campus, Novack Cafe, making it easy for students to be able to contribute to the FUERZA Farmworkers Fund. This fund advocates for the rights and basic needs of migrant workers like the cold weather clothing that many lack to be able to keep themselves healthy as they work. They are a mutual aid collective that has raised thousands of dollars to support our friends at the farms with medical, legal, and transportation services. This cause is so important when we think of the human rights that all people deserve and the amazing fact that 70% of milk production relies on migrant farmworkers.
The FUERZA Fund Logo
During Earth Week, the Office of Sustainability hosted many events. One special one in particular was the Sugar Crew Workday. Free rides were given to join a work day at the Dartmouth Organic Farm's maple sugar bush, which produces maple syrup! Students participated in post-season clean-up work, including pulling buckets, lines, and taps from the trees, washing buckets & taps, and cleaning the boiling pans. Students were told to bring weather-appropriate clothing and layers, sturdy shoes they didn't mind getting dirty, and 1 L of water.
To support my sorority's philanthropic goals, I volunteered to work at the Kappa Delta Epsilon yard sale. Sisters in the sorority donated their clothes to the yard sale; we priced them very affordably ($1-$6) and opened it up to the Dartmouth community. The morning before my shift was very rainy, but luckily, the sun was shining with full force by the time I was standing around the tables of clothes. Many people stopped by and were happy to support our philanthropic goals while getting some great additions to their closets!
Philanthropy on a college campus is a powerful force for positive change. It brings students together in a shared commitment to making a difference, fosters a sense of community and belonging, and instills values of compassion, empathy, and social responsibility. Through philanthropic efforts, students not only enrich their own lives but also contribute to creating a better world for those outside the Dartmouth community.
