Citizenship Award for Diversity Leadership Scholarship
Each year the President’s Community Advisory Committee on Diversity presents a Mary Washington student with the Citizenship Award for Diversity Leadership. This award is given to a rising senior enrolled in the University, who possesses strong characteristics of leadership and demonstrates a personal commitment – advocating for diversity and inclusion across campus. Once the recipient is chosen he or she serves as an ambassador for diversity, a peer mentor to underrepresented students, and a voice for underrepresented populations to the faculty and staff.
Once chosen as the recipient of the Citizenship Award for Diversity Leadership, the recipient will be asked to serve in various capacities throughout the 2024-2025 academic year. The ongoing service agenda will be mutually beneficial, service will be provided to the campus community, and the student will continue to develop academically and socially.
2024-2025 Citizenship Award for Diversity Leadership
Kaylah Lightfoot
Kaylah Christina Lightfoot hails from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. She began her advocacy work during her senior year at Blue Springs High School located in Blue Springs, Missouri by successfully campaigning for the inclusion of the play ‘Fences’ in the English curriculum. This victory sparked her commitment to advocating for and uplifting the voices, identities, and ideologies of the oppressed.
Upon arriving at the University of Mary Washington (UMW) during Welcome Week in 2021, Kaylah was inspired by the UMW NAACP College Chapter leaders, who emphasized the power of collective action across color and creed. This motivated her to become actively involved on campus, first serving as a Senator for the Class of 2025 during her freshman year, and later as Vice President of the Student Government Association in 2023. As Vice President, Kaylah focused on putting students at the forefront of the Senate’s efforts to bring about meaningful change. She also serves on the Black Affinity Group as a Student Ambassador and Student Alumni Ambassador, where she advocates for student programs and issues to the Black alumni network of UMW.
In her role as Chair of the Finance Committee, Kaylah made history as the first Black Chairperson. She successfully rebuilt communication channels, ensuring that clubs and organizations could access the funding needed for their events. Currently, she serves as the President of the UMW NAACP College Chapter and holds the position of Political Action Chair for the NAACP Virginia Youth & College Division. In addition, Kaylah will serve as an intern for Senator Tim Kaine’s Fredericksburg’s office for the Fall 2024 semester.
Kaylah is pursuing a degree in Political Science with a minor in Digital Studies. Through her studies, she has honed her ability to craft political messages that are both understandable and engaging to the public. Looking to the future, Kaylah plans to continue her advocacy work by attending law school, where she hopes to specialize in civil rights and constitutional law at the Supreme Court level.
Applications/Nominations are closed at this time.
To apply for the Citizenship Award for Diversity presented annually during the Diversity Program, which is part of Orientation Week, a student must complete the application as well as submit one (1) faculty or staff recommendation. Faculty and Staff may nominate students for this award as well.
If you have questions, contact the James Farmer Multicultural Center at 540-654-1044 or msanford@umw.edu .