The American Forum at AU

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, 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.