For Fiona Kuo, community engagement is more than an extracurricular activity — it’s a way to connect learning, leadership and service beyond the classroom.
As she completes her time at Oxford College, Kuo plans to major in sociology and minor in data science when she begins classes on Emory’s Atlanta campus in the fall. Originally from Long Island, New York, she says her journey to Oxford was shaped by her family’s story and a desire to find a college community where she could grow both academically and personally.
“My parents immigrated from Taiwan just a couple months before I was born,” she explains. “They didn’t attend specialized schools preparing students to study abroad, so the whole process of coming to America was new to them.”
Because her parents had not navigated the U.S. college system themselves, Fiona and her brother approached the application process with many unknowns. But when she visited Oxford for Admitted Students Day, something immediately felt right.
“At the time, I didn’t know much about Oxford, but as soon as I stepped on campus, I knew that Oxford would be for me,” she says. “I loved the small-town vibes and was particularly interested in the unique programs Oxford had that would allow me to gain new experiences I wouldn’t have anywhere else, including community engagement opportunities.”
Recognizing leadership and service
Earlier this year, Kuo’s dedication to service was recognized when she received the Collegiate Dreamer Award during Newton County’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day celebration. The honor highlights students whose leadership reflects King’s values of justice, unity and community uplift.
For her, recognition reinforced an important belief she carries with her as a student.
“While we are still students and academics come first, I believe that it is still important to give back to the community around us, especially in a place such as Oxford,” she says. “This work also demonstrates how students are more than just their grades.”
She believes college is a time to start thinking more intentionally about one’s impact.
“As we move closer to the ‘real world,’ we should start thinking more about our impact on the world because there really is so much we can do, even as students, to make positive change.”
Using music as a tool for connection
That belief is reflected in Kuo’s leadership with Music for Change, an organization that brings music into the community through outreach performances and campus programming.
Music has been part of Kuo’s life for years; she has played violin for around 14 years and viola for more than three.
“Music for Change routinely brings music to local community partners and shares the musical talents of our students to the rest of our student body,” she explains. “That’s important in creating a friendly environment surrounding music.”
One of Kuo’s most meaningful projects has been strengthening Music for Change’s partnership with the Washington Street Community Center in nearby Covington. Through the organization’s charity concert, OxFest, she helped shift fundraising efforts toward supporting local community partners.
“In the past, we have fundraised for larger charities outside of Oxford,” she explains. “But knowing that there is much need for support in our local community partners, I wanted to be able to give back to the community and enhance Oxford’s ties with the community through OxFest.”
The partnership grew after she learned about the center through oral history interviews conducted in one of her anthropology courses.
“I distinctly remember one interviewee mentioning how they had to fundraise their own supplies to learn and engage with music at Washington Street Community Center,” she says.
That insight led her to collaborate directly with the center and invite its students to perform at OxFest alongside Oxford musicians.
The event ultimately raised more than $600 for the center’s afterschool program.
“Since I am particularly interested in education equity, I was excited to bring this success to WSCC,” she says. “Hopefully, it encourages students at WSCC to keep up with music.”
Storytelling beyond the stage
Kuo’s interest in storytelling extends beyond music. She has also worked as a marketing intern with Oxford’s Communications and Marketing team, where she gained a new perspective on communication and campus engagement.
“Before working as a marketing intern, I assumed that marketing was mainly about social media and making ‘good’ posts,” she says. “However, I learned that there is more to marketing than just making cute, eye-catching graphics or funny short-form content. It is about creating a narrative people resonate with.”
Writing alumni spotlight stories was particularly meaningful for her.
“Each alumnus had a different journey, but one thing remained the same across their interviews: they all emphasized the importance of taking advantage of all the resources Emory and Oxford offer and taking risks.”
Kuo’s advice to students hoping to get involved on campus or build meaningful partnerships echoes what she heard from alumni: Take the first step.
“If you are looking to get involved on campus, I would definitely say to just go for it,” she says. “I think it is a lot easier to get involved here at Oxford because it is smaller.”
Even students who are naturally introverted, she says, can find ways to connect.
“I am pretty introverted, but I was still able to find my place,” she says. “Even if there isn’t something for you here yet, you can always start something.”
And most importantly, she encourages students to lean on the people around them. “The staff and faculty at Oxford are very supportive and want to see you succeed,” she says. “I would definitely recommend taking advantage of that before moving to the Atlanta campus.”