Welcome to Community Spotlight, a series in which we learn more about the members of our vibrant New Roots Institute Fellow and Alumni network. Below, teaching fellow Sam Schillinger offers support for the community, reflects on his favorite moment from the Leadership Academy, and shares advice for advocates.
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“I’m an alumni of Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) and hold a dual bachelor’s degree in philosophy and identity studies. I completed the Leadership Academy in 2024 and I’m currently an academic-year fellow with New Roots. I’m thrilled to be returning to the Leadership Academy this summer as a teaching fellow.
Last summer, I uprooted from Iowa, leaving behind the familiar and comfortable Midwest where I’d spent most of my life for a fresh start in the Pacific Northwest. Based in Eugene, Oregon, I joined the Yes On IP28 ballot initiative campaign in July of 2024 as a petition circulator, and soon stepped into a volunteer role as Campaign Organizer. I gained valuable experience assisting with fundraising, strategy, recruitment, and mobilization. My interests include ethics, effective altruism, and applied psychology.”
“The summer leadership academy was transformative in many ways for me, but the connection and wholesomeness I experienced in my discussion group is particularly memorable. I enjoyed the inviting space that Lead Educator Keith created, the levity that he sprinkled in, the thought-provoking discussion that he artfully guided, and the enthusiasm and authenticity of the other fellows in his group.”
“I’m happy to offer support and/or guidance on any of the following: finding a foothold as a young advocate, professional development, networking, finding a job, effective writing and communication, using LinkedIn, guidance for those considering law school, plant-based fueling for athletes. I am also more than willing to serve as a generalist for anyone seeking mentorship or connection.
I am exploring different career pathways and would love to learn more about opportunities related to research, journalism, food policy, educational outreach, and leadership development. I’m considering pursuing a graduate degree and weighing different options at the moment. I am actively looking for work related to campaign organizing, communications, content creation (writing capacity).”
“My advocacy is guided by a conviction for advocating for individuals and causes most neglected by society today. I discovered the power of advocacy during my senior year of high school when I raised the issue of team-sanctioned prayer on my cross-country team. Sensing the exclusive nature of praying as a team, I spoke up and saw that the practice was altered. I was motivated to act by others' apathy and neglect for what I felt was such an obvious and narrow-minded infringement on personal freedom. This experience empowered me to later seek out urgent globally neglected causes and zealously advocate for mass consciousness, which led to my eventual championing of animal rights and food systems reform.”
“Keep an open mind and try to stay present. Advocacy can be overwhelming at any stage of your career, but especially when starting out. I suggest pursuing opportunities that interest you, keeping a regular practice of reflection and goal-setting, and experimenting with self-care to find a reliable practice that you can come back to.”
“What gives me hope for the future is the increase in awareness among young people of the devastation caused by industrial animal agriculture. I know few people will become outspoken advocates for this cause, but it’s inspiring to see that more and more young people will decidedly concede that this is a massive issue that demands our attention.”
