Lomax Turner (2020-2021)

Hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area, I was raised by Russian immigrants and a resilient queer community. This upbringing sparked a desire to help communities suffering under systemic forms of oppression and conflict around the world; hence, studying International Relations and Russian at Tufts University was a natural continuation.

My education has allowed for a number of worthwhile experiences, such as competing in rigorous competitions all across America with Tufts Varsity Swim & Dive, navigating the complexities of collectivist culture by living in Moscow, and providing psychosocial and educational support to asylum seekers on the Greek Islands. 

But it was the life-changing class EPIIC I took at the Institute of Global Leadership (IGL), that changed the way I thought about education right at a time when I was struggling to find my way in academia. Feeling burnt out from years of repetitive, short-term-based learning, this experimental class single-handedly brought my love of learning back. Not only did I acquire an arsenal of nuanced knowledge in the field of forced migration, I also organized an international symposium with renowned speakers, mentored high school students, and was also able to tap into an incredible network of brilliant IGL alumni.

I joined The Trebuchet to continue my journey with the IGL and to give back to a community that has already graced me with so much.