Tene Goodwin, L and S grad, and Mandela Scholars
Tene Goodwin, second from left, with Mandela Scholars at Lake Tahoe

Recent Grad Documenting Mandela Fellows Visit

Tene Goodwin, who graduated from the UC Davis College of Letters and Science this spring with a degree in economics and minor in professional writing, started immediately using her educational and international background by documenting the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders visit to UC Davis.

This summer Goodwin has been spending her days and many nights taking photos, writing stories, and posting on social media about the fellows for UC Davis Global Affairs through a University Writing Program internship.

UC Davis idyllic place

Goodwin, a native of Antigua and Barbuda, West Indies, started her academic career as an engineering major and worked for medical device manufacturers for several years before deciding that wasn’t the right career for her. After attending community college in Southern California where economics caught her interest, she transferred to UC Davis

“Davis seemed like an idyllic place,” she said.

Goodwin has always been interested in writing. She has eight sisters and is famous in her family for the long, detailed letters she wrote to them after she moved to the United States.

Feeling a connection

Goodwin welcomed the opportunity to work with the Mandela fellows.

UC Davis is one of select universities that hosts the Mandela Fellowship. This year’s program at UC Davis empowers about 25 young leaders from 17 countries in Africa through academic coursework, leadership training, and networking opportunities in public management.

“From the time I met them, we felt a connection,” said Goodwin, who has been alongside the fellows since their first day on campus. “At first they thought I was one of them.”

Continuing studies and work

Later this summer she will head to France for a year in the University of California Education Abroad Program. Along with her studies, she will work in communications and marketing for UC Davis Study Abroad within Global Affairs.

Eventually Goodwin plans to return to her homeland and put her economics and communications skills to work.

“Because I’m from the developing world, I want to return prepared and with useful skills,” she said.

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