Baylor’s 2025 Millennium Fellows Host Waco ISD AVID Students for “A Day in the Life of a College Student"
In August, 13 Baylor Engage Fellows were named to the 2025 Millennium Fellows Class. In addition to participating in leadership development seminars, the Fellows have worked with Waco ISD this semester on a project related to UN Sustainable Development Goal #4 Target 4.3 – Equal Access to Affordable Technical, Vocational, and Higher Education. Baylor’s Millennium Fellows have served as mentors for students participating in the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program at six Waco ISD Middle and High School campuses.
In October the Baylor fellows visited the campus to speak with AVID classes about college preparation and success. In turn, on Wednesday, November 5, 25 AVID students came to Baylor’s Campus for the “A Day in the Life of a College Student” program. The 25 students attended two Baylor courses taught by Dr. Steve Block, Senior Lecturer in Political Science and Prof. Margo Shanks, Senior Lecturer in Public Health, affording them the opportunity to see what a college classroom is like. Students also participated in a seminar led by the Baylor Millennium Fellows speaking on their individual academic journeys.
Baylor Fellow Dalton Meeker (Junior, International Studies) reflected on the experience, noting, “it is vital that we can walk alongside those who are younger or who are in different areas of life than we are and guide them in their desired pursuits. As a college student, I am humbled and grateful to have participated to display the life of a university student to those who may follow our footsteps.” Baylor Fellow Nicole Day (Senior, Economics and Finance) added, “As a Baylor Millennium Fellow, I have the opportunity to guide young, passionate students, helping them mold their talents into a fulfilling career that promotes personal growth for the public good.”
Lyssa Davoust, Waco ISD Advanced Academics Coordinator, shared, “our ‘Day in the Life’ event gave 25 WISD middle and high school students a real-world college experience. From taking notes in their constitution law lecture to generating group projects in an upper-level public and community health class, the students, grades 6 through 11, were full-fledged college students for the day. The Baylor Millennium Fellow mentors were present all day alongside their WISD mentees, providing guidance and wisdom during this unique experience. We are so grateful for the opportunity provided to our WISD students, which they will build on as they continue to make their post-high school plans.”
Baylor’s Millennium Fellow Faculty Advisor, Dr. Rebecca Flavin, Senior Lecturer in Political Science and Director of Engaged Learning Curriculum in the Office of Engaged Learning, credited the Fellows and especially the two campus directors, Mason Gregory (Senior, Public Health) and Bianca Shah (Sophomore, Political Science) for the success of not only the “Day in the Life” event but also the work leading up to the event.
The Millennium Fellows Fellowship culminates with a graduation program on Friday, November 21 at which Baylor’s Fellows will join the several thousand global fellows to celebrate the work they’ve done in communities across the globe.