Taylor Roberts, a University of Colorado at Boulder senior majoring in architectural engineering, is an example of the growing number of CU-Boulder students who are civically engaged.
Roberts is co-president of the CU-Boulder chapter of GlobeMed, a national student organization focused on improving the health of impoverished people. The organization has 19 chapters across the nation that partner with different grassroots groups that work in communities throughout the developing world.
CU-Boulder's chapter is partnered with Himalayan HealthCare Inc., a nonprofit organization that works to improve health care services, support education and create employment opportunities in villages in rural Nepal.
Before joining GlobeMed, Roberts got his first taste of civic engagement through his involvement in CU-Boulder's Presidents Leadership Class and Engineers Without Borders.
"Both of these organizations helped push me in the direction of becoming civically engaged at CU-Boulder and becoming active with the GlobeMed organization," Roberts said.
Roberts traveled to Tipling, Nepal, last summer with the CU-Boulder GlobeMed chapter, where he spent a lot of his time working with Project C.U.R.E.
"Project C.U.R.E. is an organization that donates medical supplies and services," said Roberts. "They donated $100,000 worth of medical supplies to Tipling."
The supplies included common surgical instruments, laboratory and diagnostic tools and machines for operating and delivery rooms, according to Roberts.
While in Nepal, Roberts and three other GlobeMed students worked on a community education project, which included teaching a women's empowerment course and volunteering at two elementary schools. They also built a latrine for the community, a key component of maintaining a clean water supply.
Since returning from his trip to Nepal, Roberts has been focusing not only on graduation, which is quickly approaching next spring, but also on continuing the GlobeMed legacy at CU-Boulder.
"We've got our chapter solidified," said Roberts. "It's a fairly selective process, but it's a good opportunity for students to learn about global health issues."
After graduation, Roberts plans to pursue a professional engineering certificate, a process that will lead to becoming a licensed engineer.
"I want to move into engineering for developing communities," he said.
Roberts encourages CU-Boulder students to get involved with GlobeMed, especially since the organization works closely with the university to foster a positive environment for civic engagement. His involvement in the group helped change his perspective on the world.
"I've traveled around Europe before, but Nepal was life changing," said Roberts. "I want to spend a lot of time in Nepal and rural communities. That's the direction I see my life going."
For more information on GlobeMed, visit / or e-mail ucboulder@globemed.org.
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At top, local children from the village of Tipling, Nepal. At bottom, CU-Boulder student Taylor Roberts (second from left) with fellow volunteers and local residents in Tipling, where Roberts volunteered as part of his work with GlobeMed. (Photos courtesy Taylor Roberts)
