This is a historical material “frozen in time”. The website is no longer updated and links to external websites and some internal pages may not work.
About
The American Forum Fellowship invites Augustana University students to apply for a unique opportunity to research and explore key issues facing America today. This fellowship is designed for students who are passionate about American values, social issues, and policy, and who want to contribute meaningful research that fosters dialogue and a deeper understanding of our nation’s challenges.
This fellowship provides an opportunity for students to engage with pressing national issues, such as economic inequality, healthcare reform, social justice, and environmental policy. Fellows will conduct in-depth research, collaborate with peers, and present their findings to the university community in a public forum.
Issues
PUBLISHING SOON | CHECK AGAIN LATER
Meet the Fellows
Alexxus Radel '26
Alexxus Radel, a junior majoring in Psychology and Spanish, is deeply invested in addressing critical issues facing America. She sees the fellowship as an opportunity to contribute to essential conversations about improving society and fostering prosperity for all.
Alexxus is passionate about researching the growing drug overdose crisis and its devastating impact, particularly among marginalized communities. In 2022, the U.S. recorded 107,543 drug overdose deaths, with the numbers rising annually since 2018. The issue is compounded by the involvement of Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) in trafficking illicit drugs, including fentanyl and opioids, which exacerbate public health, safety, and social disparities. Alexxus aims to focus on countering this growing epidemic by emphasizing domestic efforts to reduce the flow of illicit drugs and mitigate their harmful effects.
Her research will examine the role of TCOs in fueling the drug crisis and explore solutions to protect American values of safety, prosperity, and opportunity, ensuring a better future for all who call the U.S. home.
Chilotam Okafor '26
Chilotam Okafor, a Junior majoring in Government and Sociology with a minor in English, is passionate about conducting research on issues affecting underrepresented communities. As a black, first-generation immigrant from Nigeria, her complex identity drives her advocacy for marginalized groups. She believes research on these issues can give voice to those often silenced and shed light on their stories.
Chilotam's proposed research focuses on immigrants of color at Augustana University. Her qualitative study will examine how socio-cultural trauma from immigration, colonization, imperialism, and civil wars manifests across generations, affecting students' lives—especially their relationships, education, and extracurricular involvement. The research aims to explore not only the impact of these traumas but also the resilience and hope students find amidst their socio-historical challenges. By interviewing 8-10 students, Chilotam intends to analyze themes of stress, coping, and resilience, guided by her faculty advisor, Dr. Spencier Ciaralli. This study will offer valuable insights into the lived experiences of immigrant students of color, enriching the broader conversation about trauma, resilience, and identity in America.