Bowie State Master’s Student Selected for Langenberg Legacy Fellowship

Access to Reproductive Health Products Focus of Planned Project

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Jonathan Saxon, jsaxon@bowiestate.edu, 301-860-3607

(BOWIE, Md.) – Jakeya Johnson, a second-year master’s student in the public administration and policy program, will represent Bowie State University in this year’s cohort for the Langenberg Legacy Fellows program which supports students to make a difference on campus through a public service project.

The Langenberg Legacy Fellows program, launched last year, selects one student from each University System of Maryland (USM) member school who seeks to improve the world through local, justice-oriented action. Program fellows propose a public service project that addresses an on-campus issue and are awarded a $1,000 stipend to fund the project plus another $500 after it’s completed. Fellows are also invited to participate in USM sponsored networking events and professional development opportunities.

“I’m excited about it,” said Johnson. “There is a lot of opportunity for public service and engagement on the campus, so I’m excited to be able to do this small part to contribute to our wellbeing.”

Johnson’s project focuses on enhancing access to products that support sexual and reproductive health. She is working to get vending machines placed around Bowie State’s campus that distributes contraceptives, birth control, pregnancy tests and other such products. Johnson also wants to create a connection between Bowie State and an outside medical clinic that specializes in reproductive and sexual health services. She plans to have the machines in place by the fall semester.

“I would like us to get a really comprehensive plan for services that are accessible and make sure those resources are available to students when they come to campus,” said Johnson.

Johnson’s interest in reproductive health was sparked by national trends towards anti-abortion legislation triggered by the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade in June 2022.

“I see us going backwards,” said Johnson. “A lot of people take for granted the strides that have been made to get us to a point where people are able to make their own decisions about their reproductive health. It’s important to have a voice and put action behind those words so we can maintain autonomy.”

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