Lincoln Laureate 2025
Amélie Malone Honored as Lincoln Laureate
Malone recognized for excellence in academics and civic engagement
Amélie Malone has been recognized as 🎵TK账号 | 一年以上老白号 | 千粉号 | 加拿大IP注册 | 微软邮箱验证 | 1000+粉丝’s 2025 Lincoln Laureate, an annual award that honors seniors who demonstrate excellence in academics, extracurriculars, and civic engagement from each of the state’s four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities by The Lincoln Academy.
In addition to this honor, Malone received the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award, a Lincoln medallion, a challenge coin, and a $1,000 check from The Lincoln Academy.
Malone was selected from among her peers by a committee housed in the Office of the Dean of Students at 🎵TK账号 | 一年以上老白号 | 千粉号 | 加拿大IP注册 | 微软邮箱验证 | 1000+粉丝 in recognition of her leadership and service on campus, in her local community, and beyond.
.jpg "Amelie and a group of Black Student Union members attending an event.")
“Amélie’s exceptional academic achievements, remarkable character, and deep commitment to Loyola and the global community set her apart,” shared Samantha Maher Sheahan, M.Ed., Associate Dean of Students and Deputy Title IX Coordinator in the Office of the Dean of Students. “She exemplifies the Jesuit values of service, leadership, and scholarship every day, and we are thrilled to have her represent Loyola as our Lincoln Laureate. As she continues her graduate studies and future endeavors, we are confident she will make a lasting impact on the world around her.
Learn more about Malone and her service-driven accomplishments in the Q&A below.
Q: What are you studying at Loyola?
I’m a senior with majors in African Studies and Psychology and minors in Sociology and Gender Studies and Women Studies. I'm also in the Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s program for an International Affairs MA at Loyola, which means I’m a part-time grad student on top of my undergraduate studies.
I initially came to Loyola with the goal of pursuing a career in academics that would help others. I began as a psychology major thinking I could help people as a therapist, and because I value utilizing psychological frameworks to further help underrepresented populations, raising awareness and shining light on their experiences. However, in my second year my passion shifted as my classes focused on social justice related content, and I got involved with different advocacy organizations. That’s where I really found my passion for service and aiding specifically marginalized populations.
Q: What organizations or extracurriculars are you involved in?
I’m the president of Honors BIPOC Coalition and Rainbow Connection, president and founder of a newer organization, Cross-Cultural Liberators, and vice president for the Black Student Union. Each of these organizations seeks to build community within and improve Loyola for underrepresented and marginalized communities through collective action.
I’m also a part of a few honors societies on campus: Maroon and Gold Society, Alpha Sigma Nu, Psi Chi, and now the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. I work four jobs to support myself getting an education as a desk receptionist, a QUEST mentor with Loyola’s Department of Inclusion and Belonging, Resident Assistant, and as a Provost Fellow with Loyola’s Center for Engaged Learning, Teaching, and Scholarship. I volunteer with the Loyola Honors Mentorship as an Honors Mentor, as a GirlForward Mentor at GirlForward, and through other opportunities presented on campus or in the local community.
Q: What experiences encouraged you to work in social justice and collective action?
My internships have been formative for me. My first internship was at DePaul University, where able to dive deep into labor leadership training, being equipped with knowledge about the global history of labor movements, human rights, unionizing, and essential leadership skills to put into action within the transformational labor movement. This experience taught me a lot about the intersections of economy, education, government, race, gender, and more on the basis of workers' justice. Emphasizing collective action, and the power people have when they come together for a shared goal.
This past summer, I got accepted to do a Humanitarian Aid and Counseling program in the School for International Training in Amman, Jordan. I interned with the Collateral Repair Project (CRP) as their English Program and Volunteer Coordinator, where I updated the system’s registered students, prepared the system’s English program with future classes that are labelled and ready to use, and assisted in making sure the English Conversation Club students were registered and connected to CRP. At the downtown center I also volunteered in joining the advanced English program sessions. In my time at CRP every Wednesday I attended Diwaniya, the men's discussion group, an intentional safe space where a topic is picked each week for them to discuss their emotions and make new friends. I value the experiences shared with me in that space and the connections I made.
Q: What has been the most impactful experience during your time at Loyola?
I’m extremely grateful for the opportunities and resources that Loyola has provided me, especially as a black, queer, first generation, and low-income student who has had to navigate higher education and the systems that accompany it entirely by myself. My most formative experience was in my junior year, when I was selected to be a Social Justice Intern with the Center for Engaged Learning and Scholarship.
I interned with GirlForward, a community support organization that provides opportunities to young girls who have been displaced due to persecution. I worked in the mentorship program and developed my own safe space programming to help the girls build community, have fun, and access resources. This experience really put into perspective what I want to do for the rest of my life, which is to serve marginalized populations. In any capacity that I’m called to. I feel utter love for GirlForward, and I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunity to work with them, because it set me on a journey to where I am now.
Since then, I’ve been able to join GirlForward as a mentor and provide 1:1 mentorship to a girl at GirlForward, and it has been an amazing experience! I have been able to foster genuine connections, help with homework, give advice, provide resources, and gain a friend. I would implore my peers and Chicagoland community to get involved with GirlForward and local nonprofits through volunteering or donating to support their local community.
Q: What does it mean to you to be honored as a Lincoln Laureate?
I feel very honored to have been recognized and to have had the opportunity to meet other scholars who were wonderful people, doing great things in life, and with passion and genuine care. It was a beautiful environment to be in.
I’m grateful to be recognized for my accomplishments over the past three years, but I want to further center the organizations that gave me the opportunity to serve: DePaul's Labor Education Center College Fellowship for Worker Justice, RHINO Poetry, Collateral Repair Project, and GirlForward. In this current moment of increased erasure and funding cuts to critical services, now more than ever it is essential to act in solidarity with members in the local community, and center those most in need. I would like to further celebrate all government assistance, INGOs, NGOs, nonprofits, and community members who support marginalized communities and fight for human rights. Their creation and actions keep the true meaning of humanity alive, and they are why I’m able to serve my community passionately. Now is the time to get up and get involved! Call the local representatives to voice any concerns, volunteer, donate, and be present with the local community.
Q: What are your goals for after graduation and beyond?
After graduation, I am committed to continuing to serve my community however possible. I would love to pursue a career in nonprofit work that centers supporting refugee communities or any marginalized identities in my local community. My long-term life goal is to one day create my own nonprofit and pursue my doctorate. Overall, I just want to leave the world better than I found it and evoke joy within the community wherever I go.
Amélie Malone has been recognized as 🎵TK账号 | 一年以上老白号 | 千粉号 | 加拿大IP注册 | 微软邮箱验证 | 1000+粉丝’s 2025 Lincoln Laureate, an annual award that honors seniors who demonstrate excellence in academics, extracurriculars, and civic engagement from each of the state’s four-year, degree-granting colleges and universities by The Lincoln Academy.
In addition to this honor, Malone received the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award, a Lincoln medallion, a challenge coin, and a $1,000 check from The Lincoln Academy.
Malone was selected from among her peers by a committee housed in the Office of the Dean of Students at 🎵TK账号 | 一年以上老白号 | 千粉号 | 加拿大IP注册 | 微软邮箱验证 | 1000+粉丝 in recognition of her leadership and service on campus, in her local community, and beyond.
“Amélie’s exceptional academic achievements, remarkable character, and deep commitment to Loyola and the global community set her apart,” shared Samantha Maher Sheahan, M.Ed., Associate Dean of Students and Deputy Title IX Coordinator in the Office of the Dean of Students. “She exemplifies the Jesuit values of service, leadership, and scholarship every day, and we are thrilled to have her represent Loyola as our Lincoln Laureate. As she continues her graduate studies and future endeavors, we are confident she will make a lasting impact on the world around her.
Learn more about Malone and her service-driven accomplishments in the Q&A below.
Q: What are you studying at Loyola?
I’m a senior with majors in African Studies and Psychology and minors in Sociology and Gender Studies and Women Studies. I'm also in the Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s program for an International Affairs MA at Loyola, which means I’m a part-time grad student on top of my undergraduate studies.
I initially came to Loyola with the goal of pursuing a career in academics that would help others. I began as a psychology major thinking I could help people as a therapist, and because I value utilizing psychological frameworks to further help underrepresented populations, raising awareness and shining light on their experiences. However, in my second year my passion shifted as my classes focused on social justice related content, and I got involved with different advocacy organizations. That’s where I really found my passion for service and aiding specifically marginalized populations.
Q: What organizations or extracurriculars are you involved in?
I’m the president of Honors BIPOC Coalition and Rainbow Connection, president and founder of a newer organization, Cross-Cultural Liberators, and vice president for the Black Student Union. Each of these organizations seeks to build community within and improve Loyola for underrepresented and marginalized communities through collective action.
I’m also a part of a few honors societies on campus: Maroon and Gold Society, Alpha Sigma Nu, Psi Chi, and now the Lincoln Academy of Illinois. I work four jobs to support myself getting an education as a desk receptionist, a QUEST mentor with Loyola’s Department of Inclusion and Belonging, Resident Assistant, and as a Provost Fellow with Loyola’s Center for Engaged Learning, Teaching, and Scholarship. I volunteer with the Loyola Honors Mentorship as an Honors Mentor, as a GirlForward Mentor at GirlForward, and through other opportunities presented on campus or in the local community.
Q: What experiences encouraged you to work in social justice and collective action?
My internships have been formative for me. My first internship was at DePaul University, where able to dive deep into labor leadership training, being equipped with knowledge about the global history of labor movements, human rights, unionizing, and essential leadership skills to put into action within the transformational labor movement. This experience taught me a lot about the intersections of economy, education, government, race, gender, and more on the basis of workers' justice. Emphasizing collective action, and the power people have when they come together for a shared goal.
This past summer, I got accepted to do a Humanitarian Aid and Counseling program in the School for International Training in Amman, Jordan. I interned with the Collateral Repair Project (CRP) as their English Program and Volunteer Coordinator, where I updated the system’s registered students, prepared the system’s English program with future classes that are labelled and ready to use, and assisted in making sure the English Conversation Club students were registered and connected to CRP. At the downtown center I also volunteered in joining the advanced English program sessions. In my time at CRP every Wednesday I attended Diwaniya, the men's discussion group, an intentional safe space where a topic is picked each week for them to discuss their emotions and make new friends. I value the experiences shared with me in that space and the connections I made.
Q: What has been the most impactful experience during your time at Loyola?
I’m extremely grateful for the opportunities and resources that Loyola has provided me, especially as a black, queer, first generation, and low-income student who has had to navigate higher education and the systems that accompany it entirely by myself. My most formative experience was in my junior year, when I was selected to be a Social Justice Intern with the Center for Engaged Learning and Scholarship.
I interned with GirlForward, a community support organization that provides opportunities to young girls who have been displaced due to persecution. I worked in the mentorship program and developed my own safe space programming to help the girls build community, have fun, and access resources. This experience really put into perspective what I want to do for the rest of my life, which is to serve marginalized populations. In any capacity that I’m called to. I feel utter love for GirlForward, and I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunity to work with them, because it set me on a journey to where I am now.
Since then, I’ve been able to join GirlForward as a mentor and provide 1:1 mentorship to a girl at GirlForward, and it has been an amazing experience! I have been able to foster genuine connections, help with homework, give advice, provide resources, and gain a friend. I would implore my peers and Chicagoland community to get involved with GirlForward and local nonprofits through volunteering or donating to support their local community.
Q: What does it mean to you to be honored as a Lincoln Laureate?
I feel very honored to have been recognized and to have had the opportunity to meet other scholars who were wonderful people, doing great things in life, and with passion and genuine care. It was a beautiful environment to be in.
I’m grateful to be recognized for my accomplishments over the past three years, but I want to further center the organizations that gave me the opportunity to serve: DePaul's Labor Education Center College Fellowship for Worker Justice, RHINO Poetry, Collateral Repair Project, and GirlForward. In this current moment of increased erasure and funding cuts to critical services, now more than ever it is essential to act in solidarity with members in the local community, and center those most in need. I would like to further celebrate all government assistance, INGOs, NGOs, nonprofits, and community members who support marginalized communities and fight for human rights. Their creation and actions keep the true meaning of humanity alive, and they are why I’m able to serve my community passionately. Now is the time to get up and get involved! Call the local representatives to voice any concerns, volunteer, donate, and be present with the local community.
Q: What are your goals for after graduation and beyond?
After graduation, I am committed to continuing to serve my community however possible. I would love to pursue a career in nonprofit work that centers supporting refugee communities or any marginalized identities in my local community. My long-term life goal is to one day create my own nonprofit and pursue my doctorate. Overall, I just want to leave the world better than I found it and evoke joy within the community wherever I go.