Yuxin “Penny” Huang is a sophomore at Columbia University who intends to major in anthropology and minor in education and public health.
She says, “I’m interested in studying communities who are often marginalized and misrepresented in public discussions. I’m also intrigued by the philosophy of action anthropology, which reframes the purpose of research as empowerment, urging one to research marginalized peoples while helping voice their experiences and needs.”
Penny explains that her academic interests as an anthropology student, alongside her aspiration to work in nonprofit organizations, motivated her to join the Cheyenne River Youth Project as a WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms) volunteer. She says she is looking forward to studying food sovereignty and contributing to CRYP’s mission on the Cheyenne River reservation.
Pictured here: Penny is helping out in the teen center’s kitchen, making potato and bacon soup for Open Gym and cupcakes for Midnight Basketball.