Amanawit Assefa

Class of 2025
B.S. in International Relations and Political Science
Hometown: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Growing up in Ethiopia, Amanawit was surrounded by a diverse community that was culturally rich; however, this diversity was also a cause for division. Her upbringing made her recognize the challenges embedded within her hometown, most notably the tribalistic ideologies that fueled conflict within the state. This dichotomy fueled her commitment to addressing the underlying issues that hindered unity. As such, for her community engagement is about recognizing that we are all interconnected and that our actions, no matter how small, can have a profound impact on the lives of those around us.

Amanawit’s drive to bring positive change stems from her conviction that community engagement is a tool for the betterment of the world. As such, she aspires to have her actions hold meaningful value and purpose. The Dietrich Fellow program, designed to cultivate leadership skills for social change and ignite a lifelong passion for service, aligns perfectly with Amanawit's aspirations. Within this fellowship, Amanawit plans to work in an initiative related to addressing education disparities. Having witnessed firsthand the importance of education she aims to dismantle obstacles hindering educational access in some communities. Beyond this fellowship, she plans to go to law school where she is planning to practice humanitarian law. For Amanawit, this fellowship embodies her purpose: to be the change her community needs.