News 2014: UMass Dartmouth student recognized as Opportunity Leader for national campaign

News 2014: UMass Dartmouth student recognized as Opportunity Leader for national campaign
UMass Dartmouth student recognized as Opportunity Leader for national campaign

Student Trustee Jacob Miller part of national movement to improve opportunity in America

Junior Endeavor Scholar and UMass Dartmouth Student Trustee Jacob Miller has been named an Opportunity Leader by Opportunity Nation, a bipartisan, cross-sector, national campaign to expand economic mobility and restore the American Dream. Opportunity Nation Leaders are advocates who have personal experience with barriers to advancement in America, and who share a commitment to removing obstacles for others and expanding upward mobility in our communities. As part of being an Opportunity Leader, Jacob will attend the National Opportunity Summit in Washington, DC on February 25-26, 2015.

Opportunity Nation is a bipartisan, national association of more than 300 businesses, nonprofits, educational institutions and community leaders who are working to expand economic opportunity for young Americans. The national movement seeks to close the opportunity gap for young people by building stronger education and career pathways, advocating policy and private sector actions and releasing the annual Opportunity Index, a tool to holistically measure opportunity.

The National Opportunity Summit hosted by Opportunity Nation will be held on February 25-26, 2015 in Washington, DC. The event will allow leaders to tackle critical issues of youth employment, skills training and meaningful educational and career pathways. During the summit, leaders will solidify their opportunity commitment by working with other leaders and coalition partners on details regarding opportunities in their communities.

Jacob Miller was recently elected by his peers as Student Trustee to serve on the University of Massachusetts Board Of Trustees. Through his active involvement in civic engagement initiatives, Jacob has played an integral role in the restoration of Tonnessen Square Park in New Bedford, establishment of the New Bedford Seaport Cultural District by the Massachusetts Cultural Council Board, development of a service-learning curriculum for the Dartmouth Public School system, and creation of a new student meal plan which includes three downtown New Bedford eateries. While serving as a legislative intern for Senator Mark Montigny, Jacob worked diligently to help pass healthcare legislation which made it easier for students to remain with their less-expensive plans under the state's Health Connector.

Read Jacob's first blog as an Opportunity Leader here: http://opportunitynation.org/latest-news/opportunity-serve/.