Ella Shapiro: Transforming Athletic Experience Into Civic Action

For graduate student and Division I soccer player Ella Shapiro, athletics has always been about more than competition. Ella's commitment to leadership, service, and community empowerment earned her a place in The Team’s Engaged Athlete Fellowship, a national program that integrates civic engagement into college athletics.

The fellowship supports student‑athletes across the country as they develop nonpartisan civic projects on their campuses and in their communities. The Engaged Athlete Fellowship provides leadership training, mentorship, a financial stipend, and a multi‑day summit in Washington, D.C., where fellows present their work and connect with civic leaders.

Ella’s fellowship project reflects her belief that sports can be a powerful tool for equity. The Fulcrum spoke with her in a recent episode of The Fulcrum Democracy Forum.

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Working with Rise Up Soccer Club, a local nonprofit, she created an after‑school program offering free soccer clinics for girls, many of whom face financial barriers to participating in organized sports. The program focuses not only on technical skills but also on building confidence, teamwork, and leadership.

Ella says that the goal is to help girls “remain physically healthy, develop important life skills, and inspire them to be the best version of themselves so they can envision success in accomplishing all of their goals”.

The clinics have quickly become a community staple, drawing girls from across the region and creating a supportive environment where they can learn, collaborate, and grow.

Ella, who is pursuing a master’s degree in finance at Oakland University while playing on the women’s soccer team, says her motivation comes from a deep sense of responsibility. “I believe student athletes have a responsibility to use the platform and opportunities we have been given to uplift others and benefit our communities.”

Ella's long‑term goal is to continue blending athletics, leadership, and community service — a path she says was shaped by her experiences as a Division I athlete. “Playing college soccer has taught me how to overcome adversity, work with a team, and be a leader,” she notes.

With her fellowship project underway and growing, Shapiro is emerging as a model for how student‑athletes can use their platform to strengthen communities and inspire the next generation of leaders.

The Team, a nonprofit that integrates civic engagement into college sports, describes its mission as developing “teammates, leaders, and citizens” through award‑winning programming that connects athletics with civic responsibility.

The Bridge Alliance, the sponsor of the Fulcrum, is a partner of The Team.

Hugo Balta is the executive editor of the Fulcrum and the publisher of the Latino News Network