Fall of 2019, as the coach of the Asen Zlatarov Foreign Language School BEST (English speech competition) team, I grew the team to 4x the traditional size. After months of intense practice, my students won a record number of regional and national awards for their original writing and dramatic readings.

In spring 2017, my colleague Jake Victor and I realized that there was an unmet need at the university when it came to blue safety buttons that alerted the police of assaults and emergencies on campus. However, instead of pushing to increase the number of physical buttons, we began to reach out to companies that provided safety apps that served the same need. In collaboration with the UWPD, RAVE Guardian Safety app was free and available to all students by Fall 2017.

During summer 2016 I went abroad to take Spanish classes and volunteer. Through FairServices, a Cusco-based non-profit, I was able to dramatically improve my language skills and volunteer at WaaW, an afterschool program for elementary aged students in the neighborhood of San Sebastian.

Through my student government internship fall 2015, I spearheaded a grassroots campaign confronting human trafficking in Wisconsin. SB 200 would provide safe habor to trafficked children by making it illegal to prosecute victims under the age of 18 for prostitution, and instead provide resources to enable trauma recovery. I spent the semester meeting with community experts and lobbying at the state capitol.

I firmly believe that the most effective way to end the cycle of poverty is universal access to education. To promote literacy and global learning, I worked closely with Youth Action Hudson to recruit 15 teen volunteers who donated over 3500 books from the Hudson community to South Africa and Ghana during summers 2013, 2014, and 2015.

This is an ongoing annual project now hosted by Youth Action Hudson.

Here is where it all started! 5th grade (2008), I alphabetized my books in a check out system and hosted weekly book club meetings with neighborhood children. We read books, hosted crafting activities, and offered attendance prizes funded by grant money.

I presented this project at local events and national conferences in San Diego and San Antonio. 

March 9, 2009 was declared "Deena Whitwam Day" by the mayor of New Richmond, WI in recognition of my work.

In spring 2018 as Shared Governance Chair I took a leadership role organizing students in opposition to a new $1400 mandatory meal plan. Implementation of this policy did not involve student shared governance, and the change posed a threat to students who could not eat in the dining halls due to affordability concerns, dietary restrictions, or personal reasons. Lack of student input put the responsibility of student push-back under my leadership​. A petition collected over 3,500 signatures statewide, and administration made significant concessions. 

In fall 2016, I became a certified special registration deputy (SRD) along with all student government elected representatives. I was an active part of a two week campaign to register 450 voters. I also lobbied to protect the future of SRDs that were threatened in SB 295.

As a member of the Associated Students of Madison Legislative Affairs committee, spring 2015 I engaged in community outreach and education along with direct lobbying at the Wisconsin State Capitol. This legislation would protect both the caller and the victim in emergency medical situations state-wide.

While serving as Class President spring 2015, I invited a representative from Turningpoint, a local women's shelter, to give a presentation at Hudson High School. The presentation was attended by over 700 students and covered topics including domestic violence, dating violence, and how to get involved in ending abuse. In addition, the student council assisted in leading a successful supply drive for the women's shelter.  

To support the Hudson School District's goal of "igniting a passion for reading" and capitalize on opportunites in technology, I produced Rockin' Read book talk videos at E.P. Rock Elementary from 2013 to 2015. By the time I graduated high school, over 250 book talk videos had been produced. Data collected indicated an increased interest in reading, and the project inspired surrounding schools and districts to start similar programs.