Magruder High School graduate Bongani Ndebele was recently named a Transform Mid-Atlantic Civic Fellow at George Washington University. Ndebele, was one of two students named fellows for their leadership on campus and propensity to create change both at the university and in Washington, D.C.
Bongani Ndebele, a Junior public health major, was named a Transform Mid-Atlantic Civic Fellow, while sophomore English and political science major Lauren Patrick was honored with a national Newman Civic Fellowship. Both Ndebele and Patrick have been heavily involved in service opportunities, particularly tutoring youth, during their time at GW.
Per GWU Today: “Ndebele, who moved in high school to Gaithersburg, Md., from his native Zimbabwe, has been involved with the SMART DC program, where he has provided support to elementary school students to improve their reading and literacy skills, as well as being a part of the Math Matters program, where he works weekly with local middle school students on foundational math skills.
In addition, Ndebele participated in the Civic Changemakers program last summer, where he engaged middle school students in the D.C. Public Schools system by leading them through a curriculum about community change.
“Youth really are the future, and I think it’s important to start young to try and create change,” he said. “We occupy an opportunity to be not just tutors, but mentors, so I think the most important thing is building relationships so that they come out of that year of tutoring having enjoyed learning.”
The university recommended Ndebele for the Transform Mid-Atlantic Civic Fellowship. He will begin his appointment in August, and it will run through May 2025.
The fellowship, founded in 2008, provides students from across the region that includes D.C., Maryland and Delaware high impact opportunities to develop their leadership skills, as well as their understanding of civic and community engagement and sustainable development so that they may better serve as leaders in their communities and collectively create solutions to our region’s most urgent problems.
Ndebele, who has also volunteered with Miriam’s Kitchen, will be asked to complete a civic project as part of his time in the fellowship program.
“I am delighted that Transform Mid-Atlantic and Campus Compact have recognized Bongani and Lauren for their excellent community and civic scholarship and engagement,” Assistant Vice Provost and Nashman Center Executive Director Amy Cohen said. “They exemplify the great work of so many of our student leaders and I am so glad they will have the opportunity to deepen and strengthen their leadership by learning alongside other national student leaders.”
“Bongani is an engaged student leader on campus. He began his service at GW by tutoring in the local community through the Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service through the SMART DC program, where he provided support to elementary school students to improve their reading and literacy skills. This year, Bongani is a part of the Math Matters program, where he works weekly with local middle school students on foundational math skills. Bongani also participated in the Civic Changemakers program this summer, where he engaged middle school students in the DC Public School system by leading them through a curriculum about community change…[He] has shown enormous potential as a citizen leader, and his dedication to service and impact is evident through his co-curricular activities, campus engagement, and academics.” – Dr. Ellen Granberg, President, The George Washington University