Autumn Blalock ’20 Newman Civic Fellow

Albright College junior Autumn Blalock has been named a 2019 Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact. A graduate of Fairmont Heights High School in Prince George’s County, Md., Blalock is a co-majoring in psychology and theatre at Albright.

“Since Autumn’s arrival at Albright three years ago, she has been a tireless advocate, finding new ways to take action and address the issues of inequality and social justice on our campus and in our world,” said Albright President Jacquelyn S. Fetrow, Ph.D. ’82. “She embodies the community commitment, civic-mindedness and engagement in social change required for this fellowship.”

Intrigued by a health psychology class discussion about the effects of racial and socioeconomic disparities in healthcare, Blalock approached her faculty advisor about conducting research on the topic. Working one-on-one with a psychology professor, she completed an in-depth study of demographic and personality characteristics as predictors of exercise and sleep.

Recognizing that identifying demographic risk factors for inactivity could be applicable within her hometown community, Blalock has begun a second research project examining how public health campaigns are viewed by individuals from varying socioeconomic backgrounds.

In addition, Blalock has been involved — in virtually every way a student can be involved — with Albright Theatre’s celebrated Season of Social Justice programming, which has encompassed five major productions to date. “She was one of the leading student voices pushing the idea of theatre and social justice as a theme for our season last spring, and has been a vocal advocate of our work throughout the year,” said Matt Fotis, Ph.D., associate professor of theatre.

“I am so proud to say that Autumn is both a member of my President’s Advisory Council for Health and Wellness, and a student representative in our admission office — where she calls prospective students and families, using her own experiences and knowledge to guide families to resources that will best serve them,” said Fetrow.