Catching Up With Forman Scholar Darius Sanders!

Forman Scholar Darius Sanders graduated from Drew University this spring with a degree in sociology and psychology. With a deep passion for helping others, Darius is remaining on campus to pursue a Master of Education degree in equity and culture. We recently caught up with Darius to learn more about his college experience and his plans for the future.

How did you get involved on Drew’s campus?

I wanted to make the most of my college experience, so I got involved in many ways on campus. I joined many different organizations, such as the Black Student Union, the Sex and Gender Association, Educational Opportunity Scholars, the Sociology Club, the Psychology Club, the Outdoors Club, the Racial Justice Committee, the Sexuality and Gender Alliance, and Volunteers Without Borders. I was a collegiate athlete and competed in D3 track and field, while also working in the Athletics Department on game-day operations and tech set-up. One summer, I completed an internship that involved helping high schoolers from northern New Jersey and New York with planning for college. During my senior year, I participated in Drew’s New York semester and worked in NYC with a non-profit called UNRWA USA.

What’s something you know now that you wish you knew during your first semester?

I wish I knew more about how to get involved on campus earlier in my college career. Although, as you can tell, I stayed pretty active over the last few years, I found out about these opportunities a little later than I would have liked. Finding activities and other organizations you’re passionate about can make all the difference when you’re in college and living on your own for the first time.

Looking back, what’s your most memorable moment from your college journey?

I really enjoyed the semester I spent in New York City during my senior year. In addition to working with UNRWA USA, I had the opportunity to meet a number of successful business leaders, including Jerry Greenfield, one of the founders of Ben & Jerry’s. Also, the memory of walking across the stage and graduating will always be special to me. That culmination of all my hard work brought on so many emotions.

How do you plan on applying the lessons you’ve learned from college to the betterment of your community?

The mission of the Foundation has inspired me to potentially pursue some of this same work in the future. I’d love to have the chance to help students like me pursue a college education and succeed. I’d also be interested in ways to invest back in the Salem business community and create job opportunities for local students so they’d be able to work closer to home instead of further away. 

Why are organizations such as the Forman Acton Foundation so important?

The Foundation provides access and opportunity to students who otherwise wouldn’t be able to achieve success in higher education. But they provide so much more than financial support, although it’s that assistance that certainly makes a difference in knocking down barriers to college. The other types of support – from help navigating campus life to care packages during stressful moments in the semester – kept me focused, engaged and energized to do my best and make the most of my time at Drew.