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Lauren West is sponsored by the Rotary Club of University Area Houston, and her area of focus is Economic and Community Development. She wishes to obtain a Master of Arts in Development Studies, Governance of Migration and Diversity Track, at Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, with a 15 month program beginning in September, 2018.
Rebecca received a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from University of Texas at Austin in 2013, and will receive a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from University of the Pacific in February, 2018. Since 2014, Lauren has been employed as Senior Program and Operations Manager at PAIR Houston (Partnership for the Advancement and Immersion of Refugees). Lauren is also a founding member and Chair of International Service for the Rotaract Club of the University Area. She also serves as Co-Chair of Education and Youth Subcommittee for the Welcoming Houston Task Force, COMSN by Mayor Turner.
In her essay, Lauren states “The Development Studies master’s, with a focus on Governance of Migration and Diversity, through Erasmus University challenges its students to think of the many ways that we can bring economic and community development to underserved populations. Economic and Community Development is a critical Area of Focus because it can act as a catalyst and spur improvements in the areas of peace and conflict resolution, disease and health, sanitation, and education and literacy. I have dedicated my life’s work to specifically empowering the refugee community for the past five years. The Development Studies program will allow me to learn more about the barriers to economic development for this population through history and current events, local and national policies, sociological structures, and urban planning. With this knowledge, I will work to create innovative solutions to make those structures and systems listed above more accessible and welcoming to the refugee population.”