Selflessness is a trait which is of great value to both a community and an individual. It is also a trait which Colgate senior Amanda Brown, from Mendham, New Jersey, has in abundance. Some of her endeavors which best exemplify this virtue include her role as Philanthropy Chairwoman of the Panhellenic Council, team leader for COVE teams Students for Students and Head Start and key contributing member in Children and Youth First, a nonprofit designed to help Nepali children get the education to which they are entitled. She is also in Konosioni Honor Society and the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. 

Brown says that while she always has been interested in many topics covered in International Relations and Political Science classes, she ultimately decided to major in Peace and Conflict Studies while minoring in Religion.

“I’ve always been passionate about learning about the world and about people, but I found that IR and Poli Sci focused too much on the political side of global affairs for me,” Brown said.  “Since PCON is so interdisciplinary, it gives you deeper insight into the human side of war, which I’m much more passionate about than policy.” 

Although she has certainly made the most of her time at Colgate by involving herself in a plethora of aide-orientated organizations and programs, she still believes her future plans are nowhere near set in stone.

“I have absolutely no idea what I want to do after graduation, so I’m just trying to open up as many doors as possible,” Brown said. 

However, it appears that a Master’s degree may be on her horizon, likely focused on women’s rights or international education policy. She also would like to continue the research she had started abroad over the summer in Nepal, while continuing to work on the boarding school she helped establish with Children and Youth First.

Although Amanda is clearly well-traveled, having spent time in to Nepal, Jordan and Chile to further her education last spring, she still believes there are things she will miss about Colgate after her graduation, especially the ease at which one can find others interested in similar things as themselves. 

“Between administrators, faculty and students, I feel like around every corner here you can find 10 people who are excited to hear about your passions and help you feel confident in your potential,” Brown said. 

There is no doubt that Colgate is an environment that offers nearly unlimited potential for giving, and Amanda has certainly taken advantage of this. Between her roles aiding refugee children, Nepalese children and impoverished children, she has given back far more than she has received in her four years. Certainly, she has more to offer.