This fall, I had the privilege of serving as a Social Impact fellow with 3D Girls, Inc. through the fellowship organized by the Georgia Institute for Leadership and Social Impact. As a second-year biomedical engineering student, since coming to college I have been driven by the question of how I can use my technical background to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Working with 3D Girls, Inc., an Atlanta-based nonprofit dedicated to educating, empowering, and advocating for young women, allowed me to see firsthand what social impact looks like at the community level and how transformative mentorship can be.
3D Girls Inc. works with over 325 girls across Atlanta, providing enrichment experiences, long-term mentorship, and exposure to STEAM opportunities. One of the organization’s cornerstone programs is Girls Link Up (GLU), an after-school initiative for elementary and middle school girls. GLU’s goal is to spark curiosity, build confidence, and prepare these girls for future careers. Throughout the semester, I supported the GLU program by creating and refining lesson plans for facilitators and ultimately developing a comprehensive facilitator handbook that will be used to train future GLU leaders. Knowing that my work this semester will continue to support 3D Girls, Inc. facilitators and the girls they mentor long after my fellowship ends has been one of the most meaningful parts of my fellowship.
One of my favorite parts of my fellowship was attending the GLU sessions across partner schools in Atlanta. Stepping out from behind-the-scenes and into the classroom allowed me to see how the girls engaged with the lessons 3D Girls, Inc. designed. I learned what captured their attention, what sparked their questions, and what moments created genuine excitement. These observations shaped my revision of lesson plans as I worked to make them both informative and fun! These visits also allowed me to listen, laugh, and learn alongside the girls, allowing me to experience the power of human connection.
Throughout this fellowship, I strengthened skills I know will serve me in my academic and professional journey. I developed clearer communication and curriculum design skills, became comfortable collaborating in dynamic environments, and learned how to translate complex STEAM ideas into engaging learning experiences for students. I also gained a deeper understanding of community-centered work and the intention, collaboration, and hear that goes into supporting young girls.
Being part of 3D Girls, Inc. has also profoundly shaped my perspective on mentorship, representation, and access to opportunity. I witnessed how early exposure to STEAM and consistent support can help young girls envision futures they may not have considered otherwise. My fellowship this semester has affirmed my desire to incorporate social impact into my future career, whether it be through mentorship, community-engaged research, or engineering solutions rooted in equity.
I am deeply grateful to Raioni Madison, founder of 3D Girls, Inc., and to my co-workers Maya, Deidre, and Payton for so warmly welcoming me into their team and modeling what compassionate, community-driven leadership looks like. My semester as a Social Impact Fellow is one I will never forget, and I will carry the experiences I’ve gained through this fellowship into both my personal and professional life.
This reflection is part of Georgia Tech’s Social Impact Fellows program, offered through the Institute for Leadership and Social Impact (ILSI). This program connects students with nonprofit and community organizations in Atlanta for semester-long, hands-on project experiences designed to foster co-learning, social responsibility, and personal growth. To learn more about program details and application information, please visit our program webpage.