One of the best things about transfer students at Columbia is that they bring with them ideas, organizations, and clubs from other schools that could really contribute to our community. Her Campus sat down with Barnard sophomore Maud Reavill, the co founder of Columbia’s chapter of the non-profit Build On, to hear about why she is so happy to bring the wonderful organization to 116th and Broadway.
What is your role for Build On?
I am co president and founder of the Columbia University chapter, along with another Barnard junior, Claire Wampler.
How did you get involved with Build On?
I transferred here from a school in upstate New York last year, and the first night of NSOP Claire came up to me raving about this wonderful non profit she wanted to bring to Columbia. I was instantly interested in starting a chapter with her… I have always been extremely passionate about promoting education and literacy, and this seemed like the perfect outlet.
What is your favorite thing about being in the club?
It is the most rewarding experience I have ever had in college. You work so hard over the year to bring education to children who otherwise would never had the opportunity to learn in a well equipped classroom, and then you get to actually go to the community that you have this intensely formed connection with and work directly with them in building their school and seeing the result of all of your efforts from the last year! It’s an unbelievable feeling, especially when you cultivate such unbelievable relationships along the way: with your host family, your trek leaders, and your buildOn chapter co-members. It’s an intimate and awesome experience.
What are you planning to do with Build On this summer?
We are planning on going to Malawi for 10 days this May, along with members from the UC Berkeley and NYU chapters of buildOn, and working with a community to build a school!
If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
I think that educating women should be a top priority. Doing so would benefit the economy, create a larger leadership pool, a healthier family life, and empower young girls looking to change the world themselves.