Independence Day: FAITH Scholars Influencing their Communities

Despina Anastasiou; 2021 FAITH Scholar
History & International Affairs, Colgate University 

As an intern on a New York Congresswoman’s campaign and a canvasser for City Council, one of Despina’s many goals was encouraging young people to become civically involved. She developed two nonprofits: “We Can All Dance,” which provides weekly dance classes for children with physical and mental disabilities, and “Epistles for the Elderly,” which she started in response to COVID-19, organizing students to send over 2,000 letters to nursing home residents. Her other outreach efforts include donation drives, homeless shelters and a refugee camp in Chios, Greece. With a passion for advocacy and civic engagement, Despina aspires to be a diplomat.

John Douveas; 2021 FAITH Scholar
History, University of Wisconsin-Madison

As Student Body President of over 4,500 students, John made it his mission to work with peers across all grade levels to foster unity during pandemic-related disruptions. He spent much of the pandemic working with the Hellenic American Neighborhood Action Committee to provide resources to community members and collecting over 3,000 books for children in need. To increase young people’s participation in community outreach, John co-founded and chaired the Luv Michael Dance-A-Thon to bring together future leaders of his community and raise funds for a worthwhile cause. Having worked in the Office of a U.S. Congresswoman, John learned firsthand the importance of how to serve constituents’ needs and aspires to attend law school to become a public servant.

Andreas Migias; 2019 FAITH Scholar
Global Affairs & Business, Fordham University

Andreas was appointed to the Community Board by the Queens Borough President to advise elected officials and government agencies on issues affecting the Astoria District. As a Youth Committee and Policy General Volunteer for a City Council Campaign, Andreas helped increase student civic volunteers and translated campaign materials into Greek to expand operational scope into hard to reach communities. Additionally, he was academic and education program developer for Essen HealthCare, a compliance Advisory Intern for KPMG and an environmental conservation guide at the Queens Zoo. Andreas is interested in social advocacy and will be pursuing his Juris Doctor degree at Brooklyn Law School.

Eleni Orfanos; 2019 FAITH Scholar
Sustainability Management, Georgetown University

As a Legal Intern in the U.S. Department of Justice, Eleni assisted attorneys in the Environmental Crimes Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division. This spring, she began working in NASA’s professional development program that supports the Lucy Mission to Jupiter’s Trojan Asteroid and is currently interning in NASA's Science and Aeronautics Research Division on Earth science projects. Additionally, she interned for the U.S. District Court of New York in the Southern District, tutors business law and chairs the Children’s Miracle Network fundraiser. She received her B.A. in International Affairs at American University and was lauded as a Global Scholar for students excelling in history and government subjects. She is plans to complete a Master’s degree in Sustainability Management at Georgetown University.

Maia Porzio; 2019 FAITH Scholar
Political Science, University of South Carolina

Maia is the USC's Student Body Vice President and also serves as the campus Director of Academic Enrichment. As the Secretary of Safety and Health and Wellness, she implemented the first campus Safety Week and planned and led Stigma Free USC - a physical and mental wellness day to advocate on behalf of student's healthcare needs. She is a Peer Leader and University Ambassador, helping students adjust to college, and has volunteered extensively with Stop Hunger Now, the YWCA, Good Shepherd Hospice and Best Buddies. Maia's love of history inspires her to pursue a career in public advocacy and attend law school after graduation.

John Travlos; 2019 FAITH Scholar
Economics, DePaul University

As a language intern with the U.S. Department of State, John assisted U.S. diplomats to Greece with learning Greek language and Greek-Cypriot economic affairs. Last summer, he was a policy intern with the Federal Reserve Board of Governors in the Currency Education Program (CEP) where worked on teams deterring circulation of U.S. currency counterfeit through currency education. He currently interns for the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) at their Broker-Dealers Examination Office in Chicago. Outside of work, John coached and mentored teens with mental and physical disabilities and volunteered with the Ronald McDonald House. He aspires to work in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Reserve.