Daniel Fairley, II is among the first cohort of 100 emerging changemakers chosen to participate in the Obama Foundation’s Leaders USA program. The 2016 graduate of ̽̽’s Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration Program was selected to join the highly competitive program for his unwavering dedication and service focusing on Black male achievement in the Charlottesville, Virginia community.
“I recognize the invaluable legacy of trailblazers and visionaries who paved the way for progress,” said Fairley. “I am committed to paying it forward by empowering others in my community by uplifting one another.”
is a six-month program that supports and connects emerging leaders across the United States, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe through a values-based leadership framework inspired by the ideals and legacy of President and Mrs. Obama. The is united by their passion for building a stronger, more sustainable, and more inclusive world.
Fairley’s journey to make a profound impact in our society began with his unwavering commitment to education and social justice. After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Richmond, he embarked on a transformative internship in the Operations Department of The White House during the Obama Administration.
Inspired by his impactful experiences as an undergraduate and at The White House, Fairley went on to pursue graduate studies in the Master of Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration (HESA) Program at ̽̽.
“The ̽̽ HESA program truly changed my life. It fueled my fire and passion for social justice in a way that can never be extinguished,” Fairley said. “From the professors, to my cohort mates, and the Residence Life staff, I’m so grateful for those two years that I got to spend in Vermont. The state and the community will always hold a special place in my heart, and I couldn’t be more proud to be a Catamount.”
After ̽̽, Fairley started a new chapter in his career as an area coordinator at the University of Virginia in the Department of Housing and Residence Life. Embracing the spirit of community engagement, he began volunteering for the 100 Black Men of Central Virginia and became a facilitator for the transformative Charlottesville Dialogue on Race after the riots of August 11 and 12, 2017.
Fairley began his current position with the City of Charlottesville in December 2017, serving as the youth opportunity coordinator focused on Black male achievement. He subsequently took on a number of key leadership roles in the community, becoming the youngest chapter president in the history of , a founder and co-chair of the Charlottesville Area Network Dedicated to Youth Development, a founding member of the University of Virginia’s Equity Center, secretary of Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, and a corporate board member of the Boys and Girls Club of Central Virginia.
“We are excited to welcome these 100 changemakers from across the United States into the Obama Foundation family,” said Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation. “Our newest Obama Leaders are already making a difference in their communities and are ready to take their work to the next level. They embody the values of President and Mrs. Obama, and their impactful work will create positive change in communities across the country."
Addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time, the Leaders USA program features action labs that focus on strengthening democratic institutions and culture in the U.S., community groups for fostering constructive dialogue in a polarized environment, and individualized support for participants. The cohort will convene weekly for interactive sessions designed to help them drive change by honing their leadership skills and connecting with thought leaders and members of the Obama Foundation community. They will also have opportunities to engage with President Obama and experienced mentors in the Foundation's global network.
"This remarkable honor is not just a personal triumph," said Fairley. "It symbolizes the collective efforts of the village and community that nurtured and supported me throughout my time as a Catamount."
About the ̽̽ HESA Program
Among the top programs in the country in preparing student affairs professionals to collaboratively transform higher education, ̽̽'s HESA Program welcomes full-time and part-time students with various levels of experience and backgrounds.
Academic and Professional Preparation
Partnerships between faculty and student affairs professionals promote excellence through academic and professional rigor. As conceptualized by philosopher and ̽̽ alumnus John Dewey, synergy between classroom and experiential learning cultivates the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the profession.
Social Justice
The program is committed to the pursuit of social justice as both a process and a goal to dismantle individual, institutional, and societal oppression. while striving to transform student affairs for more equitable and inclusive opportunities in higher education.
Reflection
Experiences in the program foster reflection of self, others, and contexts as a critical component of growth in professional practice. Through critical consciousness, the program strives to improve higher education and student affairs with an aim toward promoting individual, institutional, and societal change.
The Vermont Connection
A collegial network of former and current students, faculty, and student affairs professionals with the shared vision of uplifting community through relationships, weaves together the history, present, and future of ̽̽ HESA.