ConnecticutHigher Education

Community ServiceAwards2013

Office of Higher EducationJane A. Ciarleglio, Executive Director

Connecticut Commission on Community ServiceWilliam R. Dyson, Chair

Connecticut Higher Education Community Service Awards 2013

The Connecticut Higher Education Community Service Awards accord statewide recognition of community service activities initiated and conducted by college and university faculty and students. The awards are hosted each year by the Connecticut Commission on Community Service, Office of Higher Education, working with an Awards Committee. This Committee is composed of community representatives from private and public organizations throughout Connecticut. The Connecticut Commission on Community Service was established in 1993 by Executive Order of the Governor to coordinate the Federal National and Community Service initiative. The Office of Higher Education provides staff support for the Commission, whose mission of “fostering a vibrant culture of service through volunteerism” is well-served by college and university students across the State. The Office of Higher Education takes this opportunity to acknowledge the continued support and leadership by our State’s elected officials in advancing the importance of community service for which the entire State is indebted. Community service enriches not only students’ academic experience, but also the communities surrounding our campuses.

Jane A. Ciarleglio Executive Director Office of Higher Education

NomineesINDIVIDUAL STUDENT AWARD NOMINEES .................................................1Shakira Acevedo, Capital Community College ...................................................................2Michaela Albano, Sacred Heart University .......................................................................3Keshia Ashe, University of Connecticut - Storrs .................................................................4Elicia Barrow, Capital Community College ........................................................................5Cecelia Cannavo, Northwestern CT Community College ......................................................6Brit Cava, Eastern Connecticut State University ................................................................7James Charlot, Norwalk Community College .....................................................................8Rose D’Amico, Southern Connecticut State University ........................................................9Melissa Hannequin, Fairfield University ..........................................................................10David James, Northwestern CT Community College ......................................................... 11Ashley Lovett, Eastern Connecticut State University ........................................................ 12Erica Martino, Southern Connecticut State University ....................................................... 13Evan Okun, Wesleyan University ...................................................................................14Emily Pearson, University of Connecticut - Storrs ............................................................ 15Suzanne Slater, Eastern Connecticut State University ...................................................... 16

STUDENT GROUP AWARD NOMINEES ...................................................... 17Athletics, Eastern Connecticut State University ............................................................... 18Big Brothers Big Sisters Program, University of Connecticut - Storrs .................................. 19Black Student Alliance, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., University of Bridgeport ...............................................................................................20Criminal Justice Club, Manchester Community College ..................................................... 21Food Justice Committee, Eastern Connecticut State University .......................................... 22Gymnastics Team, Southern Connecticut State University ................................................ 23Housing and Hunger – Bread Salvage Program, Wesleyan University ................................ 24Human Service Club, Housatonic Community College ...................................................... 25Jumpstart at UConn, University of Connecticut ............................................................... 26Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse Program, Western Connecticut State University ..................... 27National Society of Black Engineers, University of Bridgeport ............................................ 28Read to Succeed, Sacred Heart University ......................................................................29Rugby Team, Eastern Connecticut State University .......................................................... 30Second Annual Alternative Spring Break, Norwalk Community College ............................... 31Service Team, Southern Connecticut State University ...................................................... 32Socially Responsible Investment Initiative, Dwight Hall at Yale / Yale University .................. 33United Campus Alliance (UCA), Sacred Heart University ................................................... 34

SPECIAL AWARD NOMINEES .................................................................. 35Dwight Bachman, Eastern Connecticut State University ................................................... 36Linda Bayusik, Housatonic Community College ............................................................... 37Susan Engwall, Northwestern CT Community College ...................................................... 38Shareen Hertel, University of Connecticut ...................................................................... 39Wendy Kohli, Fairfield University ...................................................................................40Frank Kuan, Wesleyan University ..................................................................................41Deirdre Moutinho, Naugatuck Valley Community College .................................................. 42Susan Steiz, Norwalk Community College ......................................................................43Jennifer Turner, University of Bridgeport ........................................................................44

1

INDIVIDUAL STUDENT AWARD NOMINEES

The 2013 Individual Student Award will be presented to two students who have served as models of leadership in community service.

Awards are based on the details provided about the nominee, including the student’s involvement in community service and the measureable impact to the campus and the community through the individual’s efforts.

Award recipients are identified with an asterisk.

2

Shakira Acevedo, Capital Community College

Shakira Acevedo’s grandmother instilled in her grandchildren the importance of helping others in need. She would tell them, “Always have a good heart and help others. Your reward will come from God.” Shakira followed her grandmother’s advice.

The first person Shakira helped was an elderly man named Abraham who was dying of cancer. She was six month’s pregnant with her first child. This man’s family did not want to help him because he was a difficult person to deal with, and they turned their backs on him. Shakira offered to take care of him on a daily basis until the time of her baby’s delivery. They became close, and his dying wish was to see her baby when it was born. When her son was born, the family didn’t want her to bring the baby because of the man’s ulcers, but one day when they had left the house, she brought her baby to show Abraham. He was very happy to meet her son, and she was equally happy that her son met Abraham before he passed away. Shakira named her son, Jonathan Abraham in honor of this patient.

Shakira also volunteers in various nursing homes. She thinks it is sad that many people tend to forget the elderly. She believes they are important because they have so much to offer (life experience and wisdom). She reads to them, keeps them company and takes them to activity time. Her reward in working with the elderly is to see them happy and comfortable in their remaining years of life.

Approximately two months ago, it came to Shakira’s attention that a couple needed housing because their house had burned down. She put herself in their position and made room for them in her home. They are currently living with her and her two daughters.

Shakira’s hope is that if anything should happen to her in life, or if she should be in need one day that someone will assist her in her hour of need.

3

Michaela Albano, Sacred Heart University

In the Spring of 2012, Michaela Albano committed herself to forming club Lespwa: Club for Haiti at Sacred Heart University. Michaela worked tirelessly to create this club and lead it in its primary goal of supporting the people of Haiti. She has also led the club in raising funds to help support their future initiatives. While the club is new to campus, Lespwa continues to gain new members as they work to raise awareness and support for the Haiti. Michaela was successful in creating the Lespwa club in order to engage students in supporting Haitians in rural Haiti. She involved the Sacred Heart University campus in two ways: bringing awareness to the needs and poverty of rural Haitians, and, organizing and leading a service trip to rural Haiti. The apex of her efforts took place during the 2013 spring break. Michaela led 7 Sacred Heart University students in a service trip to Haiti.

Michaela’s focus and ability to lead has led to the creation of a Haitian Creole course to be offered to students through the Sacred Heart University department of foreign languages. Students taking this course will learn Haitian Creole that allows them to work more effectively while serving in the 2014 spring break service trip to Haiti.

Michaela began this project in the spring of her first year at Sacred Heart University. Her commitment to Haiti combined with her maturity and outstanding leadership has ensured that Sacred Heart University will remain dedicated to the country for years to come.

4

*Keshia Ashe, University of Connecticut - Storrs

Keshia Ashe has demonstrated passion, dedication, and vision with the founding of ManyMentors, a nonprofit aiming to close the gap between minority and female interest and achievement in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields by exposing students to relatable mentors and role models. Her social innovation bridges traditional in-person mentoring efforts with online and mobile components to create sustained mentoring between middle and high school students and near age mentors in STEM. In this age of technology, she had dubbed this method as “Mentoring in the Modern Age.”

She has established partnerships with several local 6th-12th grade serving organizations, such as the Workforce Alliance Youth Mentoring Program, Granville Academy, Catalysts Powering Educational Performance, and STARBASE, to provide opportunities for in-person mentoring via informative presentations and one-on-one student interactions. Furthermore, she has developed a first generation mobile mentoring app (available on Google Play) to connect high school students to mentors via phone calls, text, and email, and is in the process of developing a social media-based platform (launching August 2013) to further extend the opportunities for individuals at all stages, from middle school students to young working professionals, to virtually serve as mentors and mentees within the network.

With her crew of nearly 30 mentors, ManyMentors has reached over 400 students in the Greater Hartford area, and plan to reach more as she establishes partnerships with schools such as Annie Fisher STEM Magnet School and the newly built Charles H. Barrows STEM Academy. However, in her opinion, her greatest accomplishment is being a mentor to several students who recently entered the University of Connecticut (UConn) pursuing degrees in Biomedical Engineering or Chemical Engineering, her undergrad and current graduate degrees, respectively.

Keshia has collected testimonies from her mentors that demonstrate the direct impact of their work in the community. Upcoming events, including STEM-U (Spring 2013), STEM Olympics, STEMovies, and STEMinars (Fall 2013) will engage the broader UConn community in STEM advocacy and provide opportunities to UConn students to experience the impact of STEM volunteering. Furthermore, in partnership with the UConn’s Neag School of Education, she has recently begun collecting data from middle and high school students about their perceptions of STEM and value of mentorship before and after their experiences with ManyMentors.

Keshia Ashe is an unwavering advocate and invaluable asset for STEM education in the State of Connecticut. As a Chemical Engineering PhD candidate, she serves as an inspiring role model and mentor to encourage all students, particularly minorities and females, to pursue careers in STEM.

5

Elicia Barrow, Capital Community College

Elicia Barrow dedicated most of her life to giving back to others. Her motto is service before self which is from the Rotary International Inc.

Elicia is a member of the Greater Allen Cathedral of New York African Methodist Episcopalian Church in New York City and has maintained a very active mission’s life. She is the Vice President of the New York City Women’s Missionary Society Young People’s Division where she has pledged untiring efforts and willingness to serve the needy and suffering regardless of race, color or creed. Elicia went to New Orleans with her church to aid in a clean-up when Hurricane Katrina hit that beautiful state. Every year she participated in the Feeding of the Multitude in New York City packing, handing out and delivering thousands of meals to those in need in the city. She visited children’s hospitals to hand out toys and Senior Citizen home to just spend time with them and sing songs. She also volunteers at a shelter every Thanksgiving and Christmas season, and tries to volunteer at one around her birthday. She has helped rebuild houses and clean up the neighborhood of South Jamaica region of Queens. She was the President of the Hunger and Homeless Campaign of the New York Public Interest Research Group that started ‘A Trick or Eat’ during the Halloween season collecting canned goods to donate to the Food Bank in New York City.

Elicia also orchestrated a lock in for various colleges in New York to inform college students of the homeless situation not only in New York but throughout the world and played games based on different situations that homeless people may have to face to open our students’ eyes. Elicia also received a Humanitarian Award from the NJCAA for outstanding service and excellence in Basketball at Queens Borough Community College. Also, every year since 2004, she raised money for the AIDs Walk and Breast Cancer Walk in New York and Connecticut. Recently she traveled to Far Rockaway to hand out food and blankets to those who are still homeless after Hurricane Sandy hit.

When Elicia relocated to Hartford, Connecticut, she started attending Bethel Bloomfield African Methodist Episcopalian Church and immediately became involved in the NAACP Act, a program which helps young people advance in various areas in a competition. She also joined the Habitat for Humanity in Hartford. With friends, she participated in Earth Day two years ago by cleaning up Pope Park. She volunteered at the ING Hartford Marathon. She volunteer coaches Capital Boys pick-up basketball team at the Albany YMCA.

Elicia also serves as the Board of Regents Representative of the Student Advisory Committee for Capital Community College. According to the Director of Student Activities and the Student Senate, “Elicia Barrow’s commitment to her fellow students and to her community shows in her stellar leadership as the Student Senate President. Elicia has exposed her classmates and fellow senators to the idea of civic engagement as a learning tool so they can connect with neighborhood organizations. Her high energy and enthusiasm ensure that students at Capital receive quality programming and exceed their own expectations.” Elicia is now in the process of becoming a member of the Hartford Rotarian Club.

6

Cecelia Cannavo, Northwestern CT Community College

Cecelia Cannavo attends Northwestern CT Community College and is working toward her Associate Degree in Interpreter Preparation ASL/English. She is an active member in a variety of campus organizations, employed at the American School for the Deaf and the Winsted YMCA. She is a dedicated young woman who is as committed to her community as she is to the College.

Cecelia was one of the founding members of the REAL Club (Respect, Equality, Alliance and Liberation). This was the College’s first LBGTQIA club. She has been a strong advocate and recruiter for the group and was elected as the club’s president in 2011-2012. As a new organization, the club focused on raising awareness and supporting the members. They made with True Colors, a non-profit organization that works with community groups. Their purpose is, “to ensure that youth, adults and families of all sexual orientations and gender identities are valued and affirmed.” (http://www.ourtruecolors.org/) Educational pamphlets and safe cards with hotline information were acquired and distributed at the college Wellness Fair and other campus events. “Safe Zones” were identified and marked throughout the campus and the club projected a spirit of camaraderie and support.

Prior to attending the Annual True Colors Conference held at the University of Connecticut for thousands of young people, Cecelia trained as a TLC Volunteer and mandated reporter. Her role was to help participants and to be aware of individuals who may be experiencing personal difficulty, assisting them or connecting them with staff clinicians.

Outside of her academic credit, Cecelia served as a volunteer to provide interpreting for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals at regular Narcotics Anonymous meetings and weekly services at St. Francis Church in Torrington. She provided interpreting at Rentschler Field for Walk Now for Autism Speaks and for a presentation by the Farmington Historical Society – The Amistad and the Freedom Trail. She also served as a volunteer interpreter at a student nursing simulation training held at the college and as an ASL tutor. Both at the Winsted YMCA and the American School for the Deaf, Cecelia worked as a lifeguard. She volunteered to teach swimming lessons to deaf and hard-or-hearing students, a few hours a week, on her own time. She was active in the YMCA’s first annual Boggle Tournament in March 2012 as a volunteer DJ for the event that raised over $1000 to support the Literacy Program. Consistent with Cecelia’s spirit to serve, she trained and served as a volunteer driver for the Winsted Area Ambulance Association for approximately 24 hours per month. When free, she volunteered for several hours at local blood drives for the Red Cross and assisted with the monthly Mobile Food Bank hosted by the College.

Ms. Cecelia Cannavo has continued to provide her services in all these efforts. Reflected in her service is a generous spirit driven by personal values and connections, and supported by her skill competencies, developed in and out of the classroom.

7

Brit Cava, Eastern Connecticut State University

Brit Cava embodies the spirit of service and volunteerism. She was a service program leader throughout her four years as a student but dedicated herself to service even more fully in the 2011-12 year. Brit developed and led two immersion experiences for students. She and 8 other students went to Crotched Mountain Foundation in Greenfield, NH to work with children and adults who have brain injuries. Additionally, during the spring semester Brit and 7 other students developed a “Sustainable Spring Weekend”. This alternative weekend experience took Eastern students on a tour of Connecticut co-ops, farms, and farmers markets. Participants volunteered at two different farms throughout the weekend. One was based at a Magnet high school in New Haven and the other a non-profit that operates a farm to feed those in need in Simsbury. Students learned about agriculture in Connecticut, what co-ops are all about, and about organic agriculture.

Brit was also the driving force behind the Food Justice Committee at Eastern. With Brit’s leadership, committee members learned about food security issues and designed a 12-week food and nutrition program for Windham Middle School students. Brit was also the catalyst for bringing the Connecticut Food Bank’s mobile food pantry to Willimantic for the first time, enabling local low-income residents to have access to 5,000 lbs. of fresh food once a month. Brit worked with the Connecticut Food Bank to identify local orchards that would permit students to participate in gleanings, recovering more than 500 lbs. of fresh apples that would otherwise rot and donating them to local food pantries and soup kitchens. Brit worked with the other students to raise awareness on campus of the distance food travels to end up on our tables and worked with the campus food service provider to purchase more locally grown food.

In the spring semester, Brit developed a service program with a local community garden where she and other Eastern students prepared the garden for the summer growing season. The Eastern students learned about gardening techniques and developed skills that have enabled students to develop a community garden on campus.

8

James Charlot, Norwalk Community College

James Charlot is a caring, ambitious and encouraging student. He is involved with several clubs and groups on campus including the Service-Learning Club and the Uplift program. James holds a 3.1 GPA and is a Finance major. He is devoted to his family, to his country (National Guard member), to school, to community, and to making this world a better place.

James is responsible for establishing the first Rotaract chapter (student version of Rotary International) at any Connecticut Community College, and he is the Rotaract Club’s first president. In fact, due to his connections and hard work, the club is sponsored by TWO local Rotary Clubs -Norwalk Rotary and the Westport Sunrise Rotary.

James is eager and optimistic, and he is an extraordinary leader. He is constantly supporting the members of the club and reaching out to get even more.

James is a wonderful role model to all students and his positive attitude is contagious.

9

*Rose D’Amico, Southern Connecticut State University

Rose D’Amico has served as the chair of our Service Team and as the Student Government Association Service Commissioner for the past year. During that time, she has guided the Service Team through continual growth and progress.

In 2011-2012, the SCSU Service Team sponsored and/or participated in over 15 service projects which totaled over 3000 service hours. The SCSU Service Team coordinates the major university service events including the SCSU annual Big Event, March 31, 2012 (approximately 400 participants) in which students volunteer at local agencies in the local community including AIDS Project New Haven, the Ronald McDonald House, Common Ground High School, and New Haven Home Recovery. On September 22nd, 2012, the SCSU Service team sponsored and coordinated SCSU’s annual Day of Service, in collaboration with the New Haven Police Department, (400 participants in the Fall of 2011) in which students blanket the city of New Haven in an effort to clean, paint, and assist the local community with small and large projects. Throughout the Fall and Spring semesters, the team coordinated programs and events including Solar Youth Day in which over 25 children in the program spend the day with college students on-campus, volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House, Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry along with several other events. For the 3rd consecutive year, the Service Team hosted a very successful Service Fair where almost 20 local agencies participated and offered undergraduate students, clubs and organizations different service opportunities which over 100 students attended.

Prior to beginning this academic year, the Service Team Executive Board met to discuss how the group would continue to grow. They identified a new model for administering and coordinating events by incorporating three components to their programs and events. Prior to the event, the team hosts an educational program and a fundraising event to benefit the agency they partner with. After the volunteer experience, they ask the student participants to write a reflection that could be posted to the Service Team website. This model has been slow to implement but has proven to be an effective way to help students develop a broader understanding of service and civic engagement. With Rose’s strong leadership, the group has continued to flourish.

10

Melissa Hannequin, Fairfield University

Melissa Hannequin is an outstanding model of a student committed to community service and social justice in both our local and global communities and has shown leadership in community service throughout her student experience at Fairfield University.

During her freshman year she participated in a weeklong service experience working with Native Americans in Maine. She travelled to Ecuador for a service, immersion experience and returned a year later serving as a student leader for her peers. Her sophomore year she participated in another immersion trip to Immokalee, FL working for fair wages and treatment for immigrant farmers. Melissa also served locally with Caroline House Daycare in Bridgeport volunteering on a weekly basis and recruited other passionate student volunteers for the organization when she became a student leader..

She has been a member of the Community Service Alliance (CSA) – a team of student leaders committed to promoting community service across the student body and recruiting volunteers for weekly service with over 20 local community organizations. CSA leaders are also tasked with educating their peers about the deeper impact of their service on their personal development as well as the communities they serve. She elicits thoughtful responses from her peers that help them reach a deeper place than most other students go on their own. In Spring 2013, Melissa was hired by the Office of Service Learning as a Service Learning Associate, an important leadership position through which experienced service-learning students work with faculty to facilitate service-learning courses.

Melissa also connects her service experiences to her academic pursuits. In 2011, she enrolled in Fairfield University’s Study Abroad program in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. She served as an English tutor, working with a grassroots community of artists and entrepreneurs assisting them to cut out the middle-man, be in charge of their own destiny and make better wages. While there, she interned at an NGO for domestic violence. She also served with Loyola High School, a Jesuit high school in Dar serving students impacted by severe poverty.

Melissa is driven by a commitment to social justice and has sought to understand the complex social, political, cultural, and economic forces impacting the issues that she witnesses through service activities. Melissa became involved with a research project facilitated by the Center for Faith and Public Life on the challenges facing undocumented students in higher education. She travelled to Washington, D.C. for the release of findings from the study and to serve as an advocate, meeting with elected officials discussing the study’s findings and sharing her own feelings on immigration

Melissa’s commitment to community service and social justice will not stop when she graduates from Fairfield University. She is already preparing for a year-long service commitment post-graduation. Melissa accepted Fairfield University’s invitation and challenge to seek the Magis and to be a “woman for others.”

11

David James, Northwestern CT Community College

David James is majoring in Environmental Studies and his employment goal is to work in Natural Resource Management. It was his work as a volunteer for the Quinnipiac River Watershed Association (QRWA) that motivated this career change.The QRWA is a nonprofit organization that helps lead the efforts to restore Quinnipiac’s water quality and overall ecological health. It is the only organization that is dedicated solely to the restoration and enjoyment of the Quinnipiac River. It is funded primarily through federal and state grants provided as a result of the Clean Water Act, and foundation grants and membership participation. In order to receive these funds the QRWA must develop and maintain a Base Plan that meets the criteria for standard eligibility for these funds. The QRWA’s Board, of which all 11 members are volunteers, is responsible for the Watershed Base Plan. The Quinnipiac River is the most urban river in Connecticut and was once rated as Class IV, by the DEP, a rating reserved for the worst waterways. Cleanup efforts have brought about a 50% improvement in the river since then. Currently, the greatest challenge to the river is development, which requires raising awareness and educating citizens, business owners, farmers, and developers of the value of doing business in a clean water area. The Base Plan for the QRWA encompasses education and outreach, advocacy, science and monitoring, conservation and restoration, and recreation and public access. The strength of the organization is the volunteer corps. (www.qrwa.org)

Administrative Service - David has served on the Board for several years and during the 2011-2012 academic year, he served as Secretary. He attended monthly meetings on the Watershed Base Plan and worked with municipal officers to help them follow up and improve municipal regulations that affect the watershed. This includes work with the town officers, Planning and Zoning Commissions, Inland and Wetland Commissions and Town Councils.

Advocacy – David submitted testimony on two occasions. One was to the State Legislature in support of a bill requiring mattress producers to provide recycling of these products in an effort to reduce the impact of contamination to the river and environment. In a second hearing to the DEEP, his testimony supported the scientific research that demonstrates that stricter wastewater standards for phosphorous amounts, would be necessary for the health of the watershed area.River Clean-up - David served as the Coordinator of the biannual physical cleanup of the river. This encompassed 5 municipalities and involves a grass root effort from the communities. Youth groups from churches and the Boy Scouts along with community members are recruited to participate. The municipalities manage disposal of the debris. Between the spring and fall clean-ups in 2011 - 2012, a total of 10,000-20,000 pounds of debris was removed from the river. David also worked on the Quinnipiac Down River Classic, an annual event to raise awareness of the QRWA and support recreation on the river. Last year this required freeing up the river from damage done by preceding storms. Approximately 75-80 racers participated in this event.

David has continued his service with the QRWA.

12

Ashley Lovett, Eastern Connecticut State University

Ashley Lovett has been a passionate volunteer and role model to other students. Among the many activities that Ashley has been involved with, one of the most meaningful has been her role at Journey House at Natchaug Hospital. The Journey House program is the only locked facility for parole-status adolescent girls in the state, providing a safe environment for girls with histories of running away from treatment programs. The program is designed to help young women find their way to recovery from mental illness, substance abuse, trauma and other problems so they can live full and productive lives in their community. Ashley volunteered for a research and service project titled “The Sisterhood Project” through Professor Nanette Tummers. In the Sisterhood Project, Ashley helped recruit and manage 12 Eastern female students who would travel to the Journey House weekly to participate in mentoring sessions. Ashley served as a mentor to the girls of Journey House throughout the 2011-12 academic year. The girls benefit greatly from having a long-term relationship with college student mentors, to help guide them through a rocky time in their lives. Activities include yoga, stress management, crafts, journaling, and other therapeutic methods to complement the treatment they are receiving at the hospital while also creating a fun, relaxed and friendly environment. This program has made a difference in the lives of both the adolescent girls and the Eastern students. By developing a positive mentoring relationship with the adolescent girls at Journey House, Ashley has helped them to see themselves as possible future college students and as active members of their community. Ashley has demonstrated a conviction for service through her enthusiasm and dedication to this project and to the girls of Journey House.

Ashley also served as the President of the Best Buddies club at Eastern. She was the primary force behind restructuring this program on campus, which had lost momentum over the years. During the 2011-12 academic year, Ashley developed 40 separate events for local individuals with developmental disabilities to enjoy events with Eastern students. Events included bowling, a Thanksgiving dinner, a Halloween event, and fun weekly activities. These events were open to the Eastern community and over 800 students participated during the academic year. Ashley also worked with the club to develop awareness campaigns, including “Spread the Word to End the Word” to educate students and community members on the hurtful and unfair use of the term “retarded”. More than 400 students participated in that event.

13

Erica Martino, Southern Connecticut State University

Erica Martino continued to serve as an integral member of the campus community over the course of the past academic year. She is a true leader in every sense of the word, as evidenced by her commitment to service, dedication as a student-athlete, and excellence in the academic realm.

Erica was named the recipient of the 2012 Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Community Awareness Award. This prestigious honor is awarded to just one women’s lacrosse student-athlete in each of the three NCAA divisions annually.

In addition, she has also been selected by the athletic department as its 2012-13 individual Community Service honoree for her extensive outreach efforts from March, 2012-March, 2013.

Erica has clearly made an impact both on the campus and greater New Haven communities. A member of the SCSU Service Team, she has participated in campus events such as Friends of Rudolph, Girls and Women in Sport Day, Relay for Life and Day of Service. She also served as a peer mentor and volunteered her time towards conducting campus tours.

In addition, Erica also assisted with numerous local initiatives. She took part in the academic assistance program at the Beecher School in New Haven and assisted with Loaves and Fishes, an organization that helps the hungry. Erica also participated at the American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days event and the Comcast Cares Day area cleanup. Erica and her teammates also baked pies for the Springfield (Mass.) Rescue Mission during the Thanksgiving season.

Martino is also a member of the Zeta Delta Epsilon sorority and serves as Vice President of the Class of 2014.

Erica’s community service efforts have been recognized previously on the national and institutional levels, and she is certainly a worthy candidate for state honors as well for her extensive outreach work.

14

Evan Okun, Wesleyan University

Evan Okun is dedicated to engaging with youth, especially those that have limited access to opportunities due to socioeconomic limitations or incarceration, by using his own love of poetry, rap and spoken word.

During the 2011 - 2012 academic year, Evan volunteered to teach a class at the Connecticut Juvenile Training School (CJTS) in Middletown through the music therapy department. He also designed an orientation program for all residents of the detention center interested in partaking in music therapy.

In the class, students examine literary technique and societal inequality through modern day hip hop songs. Each class begins by listening to a song that is relevant to the subject matter for that class and is used as the premise for discussion. Topics range from extended metaphor to mass incarceration. The students then engage in a writing exercise that addresses that topic. Evan uses many tools throughout the class to engage students including writing workshops, performance workshops, and one-on-one discussions about ongoing student projects. The final 10 minutes of each class are reserved for improvisation rap ciphers. Evan’s main hope is that the residents are able to cultivate a compassionate environment that allows the group to explore important, but sensitive issues, from personal hardship to systematic oppression.

Evan used experience from teaching a similar class at the Green Street Arts Center to develop this class. He has served at least 35 students in his classes. With his class and personal commitment to the students, Evan provides participants with a sense of empowerment and allows them to find their voice. He is now in his third year teaching at CJTS.

15

Emily Pearson, University of Connecticut - Storrs

Over the course of Emily’s UConn career, she has dedicated herself to a profound level of community service through the Office of Community Outreach (CO). Locally, she regularly volunteered to mentor youth through Big Brothers Big Sisters, organized recreational activities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and built authentic relationships with the elderly in a local nursing facility. Nationally, Emily has been on multiple service trips to Massachusetts, Florida, and Georgia which allowed her to work with homeless individuals and families in an urban setting, people with disabilities who live in rural poverty, and those who suffered from man-made natural disasters. These experiences have increased her insight by allowing her to see the world from the perspectives of others, develop a stronger sense of empathy, and extend her outreach and impact beyond her local community.

One of her greatest accomplishments was her promotion to the role of Student Coordinator of Health and Human Services in CO for the 2011-2012 academic year. In this role she honed her leadership and organizational skills. Also, she supervised and mentored 15 student leaders who directed their own programs. She organized a community of practice, provided individual supervision and consultation, and assisted in developing student leaders’ strengths and professional responsibilities. She also served on the CO’s student executive board where she assisted in setting policy, made strategic decisions about allocation of resources, and acted as a voice for student leaders in CO’s central operation. To further illustrate Emily’s exemplary work as a leader in service, she was awarded the University of Connecticut’s Individual Community Service Award.

But her work was not limited to upper level service management and leadership during 2011-2012. Emily stepped in to begin CO’s relationship with the Brooklyn Prison. Emily was instrumental in starting a volunteer program at Brooklyn where UConn students act as tutors and support inmates efforts to earn their GED. Volunteers focused on mathematics at the request of the prison. Emily worked with prison and university staff members to define the scope of work, address risk management concerns, and navigate the extensive bureaucracy related to working in prisons. The program also started in collaboration with Eastern Connecticut State University. She patiently took an entire semester to forge the proper relationships then launched small pilot program with less than 10 volunteers in the Spring 2012 semester. The program was successful in its first semester and remains popular and supported a full year later. In addition to that local program, Emily went on a CO service trip during the winter break.

Emily’s commitment speaks for itself, she has invested over 1,200 hours into organizing and implementing service projects during her collegiate career. During 2011-2012, she has spent over 12 hours a week supervising, administrating, and developing her community service projects and those within the CO’s Health and Human Service initiatives. Emily Pearson is a person of great integrity, compassion, curiosity and humor.

16

Suzanne Slater, Eastern Connecticut State University

Suzanne Slater has engaged many other students in her activities and has been a catalyst for other students to gain the confidence and passion necessary to be an effective community volunteer. Suzanne’s passion for the children, especially at Natchaug School in Willimantic, has resulted in many children gaining confidence in their academic skills that would not have happened without her efforts. During the 2011-12 academic year Suzanne was a leader of the student organization People Helping People. As Committee Chair for the Youth Committee, Suzanne developed a pen pal program that connected club members with fourth grade students. Each week, 35 Eastern students wrote to the children and the children would practice their expository writing skills by writing back. The teachers in the classrooms reported that the students gained confidence in their writing skills and looked forward to receiving their ‘letter’ each week. Suzanne managed the program, making sure the college students were consistently writing and bringing the notebooks back and forth to the school every week. The program culminated with a fun event at the end of the year where the pen pals met each other and participated in literacy activities. This program continues to grow and impact the children very positively.

In the fall of 2011, Suzanne organized a campus-wide book drive to promote literacy with children and families. She was able to collect over 1,200 books and organized events for Eastern students to visit after school programs, participate in literacy activities, and donate the books to the children.

In addition to these activities, Suzanne volunteered during the 2011-12 year with the afterschool program at Natchaug School, with Woodstock School, and with Sweeney School. In all, she volunteered 280 hours during this year.

Suzanne has described her volunteer experiences as having changed her as a person as well as her outlook on life. As a result of her volunteer experiences she is committed to working in the community and tying her work as a teacher to community service.

17

STUDENT GROUP AWARD NOMINEES

The 2013 Student Group Award will be presented to two groups that have served as models of leadership in community service. Awards are based on the details provided about the nominee projects and activities, including how the group increased student involvement in community service, how the project continues to grow, and the measureable impact to the campus and the community through the group’s efforts.

Award recipients are identified with an asterisk.

18

Athletics, Eastern Connecticut State University

During the 2011-12 academic year, all seventeen intercollegiate athletic programs at Eastern Connecticut State University participated in community service activities. These activities included service on campus, service in the local and surrounding communities, and service to nationally recognized organizations and causes. All told, Eastern student athletes and members of the coaching and support staff contributed a total of 1722.5 hours in volunteer hours, donated 1,010 food items and toys to area not-for-profit organizations and raised over $3,800 in support of several national organizations.

Student athletes donated time in offering free clinics to school aged children, helping to foster community connections, encourage healthy life styles, and encouraging a commitment to learning. Highlights of the many activities include: • The Men’s Soccer team participated in the North Windham Elementary School’s “March Mathness” event, running a station that incorporated math into a table football game. • The Women’s Soccer team raised money and participated in numerous fundraising walks, including Eastern’s Poverty Awareness Marathon, Crohn’s and Colitis Walk, Komen Race for the Cure, and the MS Walk.• The Women’s Field Hockey team coordinated a toy drive to benefit the Three Kings Day event in Willimantic.• The Women’s Volleyball team raised money for breast cancer research and participated in a canned food drive.• The Men’s Basketball team conducted clinics for fifth and sixth grade students in Vernon and elementary school students in North Windham. • The Women’s Softball team held a unified softball game and clinic in collaboration with Western Connecticut State University.• The Men’s Baseball team joined other teams in collecting over 300 food items donated to the local Covenant Soup Kitchen.

Student athletes were actively involved with activities supporting the Special Olympics. Over sixty student athletes volunteered with either the Windham Special Olympics Swim meet, or with the organization and facilitation of unified sports days with skill instruction and competition. The Student Athlete Advisory Committee serves as a coordinating body for Athletics service activities and encouraged student athletes to host a safe trick or treat activity for local children and events to benefit the Windham Region No Freeze Shelter.

Eastern student athletes continue to give of their time to local schools, civic groups and not-for-profit organizations. They are fully aware of the difference they can and do make on campus and in the community. Each year teams look for new ways to be involved and to make a difference, recognizing the responsibility of giving back to our community.

19

Big Brothers Big Sisters Program, University of Connecticut - Storrs

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) is a national mentoring organization that positively impacts the lives of children across the country. Connecticut’s Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters is dedicated towards meeting the needs of children from various underprivileged neighborhoods by pairing them with positive role models, such as the college-level students involved in the program at the University of Connecticut (UConn). The children (aka Littles) involved are referred into the program by teachers and parents. Children may be in need of academic, social and emotional support and often come from low-income homes, foster care or other trying circumstances.

During 2011-12, UConn has over 175 committed volunteers (aka Bigs) that participate in BBBS on a weekly basis at 5 elementary and middle school sites in Windham, CT. This is one of the largest regular community service projects on the Storrs campus. UConn volunteers are constantly helping the children within this program grow academically and personally as individuals. Mentors patiently work with the kids through their struggles with homework and also lend a listening ear when the children just need to talk about what is on their minds. The mentees are consistently showing progress in literacy skills and behavior in school, along with confidence in their everyday actions. In addition to homework, Big and Littles do individual and group social activities that are flexible and fun. The emphasis is on recreation and relationship building.

The UConn students invested well over 5,300 hours into organizing and delivering these critical services to their mentees. Additionally, UConn students help organize and participant in BBBS Bowl for Kids Sake which raises thousands of dollars each year to support the development and implementation of programs. UConn also supported a career exploration day where Windham Littles visited campus and participated in science education activities with their Bigs and members of UConn’s Engineering Ambassadors program.

The 11 student leaders of the program also provided additional support during a time of BBBS staff transition allowing the program to continue and to grow in response to community priorities.

20

Black Student Alliance, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., University of Bridgeport

One of the most successful service programs this year at the University of Bridgeport was a new program which was a joint collaboration with Black Student Alliance, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. called Up All Night.

This program held a food drive and HIV/AIDS awareness event that also raised money for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Over 500 canned food items were donated before the event as the groups raised awareness about the Up All Night event. These cans were donated to victims of Hurricane Sandy in the Greater Bridgeport area and New Jersey. The actual Up All Night event had a great turn out with over 200 students attending, one of the largest service events held on campus.

At the event students enjoyed various performances from local artists and participated in HIV/AIDS awareness education activities. The Up All Night event also raised over $1000 which was donated to Hurricane Sandy relief in New Jersey.

The Up All Night event raised awareness about several different issues, but all provided a way for students to have fun and become more engaged, not just locally, but regionally.

21

Criminal Justice Club, Manchester Community College

The Criminal Justice Club at Manchester Community College’s coordinates a variety of projects that focus on student involvement in and service to the community. This year the club sponsored a “Hug a Bear” drive where over 300 new stuffed teddy bears were collected and delivered to local and state police departments to put in their cruisers to calm and console children in times of crisis. In December club members coordinated a “Snow Angels” toy drive. They collected over 350 new toys that were wrapped and distributed to children of incarcerated parents. Many of these children are in foster or state care.

The MCC Criminal Justice Club recognized that it is not only children who are in need of comfort, but also the elderly. In April of this year they collected stuffed animals to donate to area rest homes. These activities have touched over 1,000 families in surrounding communities.

Students who participate in club activities gain an understanding of the value of community service that they take with them into their professional careers in law enforcement.

The Criminal Justice Club also sponsors events that support the intellectual advancement of their discipline. Club-sponsored forum speakers this year have included prosecutor Dave Zagala on serial killer Edwin Snelgrove, and Michael Dooling, an historian on Connecticut’s cold case murders.

22

Food Justice Committee, Eastern Connecticut State University

Students in Eastern’s Food Justice Committee are passionate about issues of food security and enabling communities to have access to healthy, locally produced food. Beginning in the fall of 2011, the committee convened on a weekly basis to discuss the current state of food access to the Willimantic community. Committee members actively engaged in hands-on volunteer efforts to educate the community on healthy eating and directly increased the access to fresh and health food to all members of our community, particularly low income populations. Members of the committee led a 12-week 4H afterschool Food and Nutrition program at Windham Middle School. The curriculum was designed by the committee and the program taught topics such as how food grows, reading labels, the water cycle, etc.

Additionally, the committee worked with the CT Food Bank to bring its mobile food pantry to Willimantic for the first time. The mobile pantry provides Willimantic residents with 5,000 lbs. of fresh food, free of charge, on the last Tuesday of each month. Eastern student volunteers staff the mobile food pantry throughout the academic year and during the summer. In collaboration with the CT Food Bank, committee members participated in two gleanings at a local apple orchard. Gleanings are defined as picking through a farmer’s left over crop to salvage food for other uses. Members were able to pick 560 lbs. of apples that would have otherwise rotted and donated them to Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army, and the Covenant Soup Kitchen.

Aside from off-campus volunteerism, committee members conducted an on-campus food audit of the dining hall on campus. Members put together an infographic which was placed around campus to encourage students to be aware of their food footprint. Finally, the committee members actively participated in enrichment activities to gain further understanding of the topic of food justice. They toured organic farms, interacted with farmers, attended a food justice conference in NYC, visited farmer markets and toured food co-ops around the state. 16 students volunteered 135 hours in the 2011-12 academic year, and created a sustained commitment to food justice that will continue to impact the local community.

23

Gymnastics Team, Southern Connecticut State University

The Southern Connecticut State University gymnastics team has provided exemplary outreach efforts as a group to both the campus and local communities over the course of the past academic year.

As a result of their efforts, the team has been selected as the athletic department's annual 'Community Service Cup' winner for events occurring from March, 2012 to March, 2013.

Specifically, the team, both collectively and individually, has taken the initiative to participate in numerous causes benefiting a variety of constituents. From the campus perspective, the team took part in the annual 'Take your Kid to Work' event, as well as the 'Friends of Rudolph' holiday event, 'Ronald Herron Day of Service event' and the Yoga Pink event to promote breast cancer awareness. The team also volunteered at the annual 'Girls and Women in Sports Day' event that welcomed nearly 150 youngsters, and donated items to the campus-wide 'Adopt a Family' program.

The team also extended its reach into the greater New Haven community and beyond. They assisted with the American Cancer Society's 'Daffodil Day' event, worked with children at the Clinton Avenue School in New Haven and donated time at St. Ann's Soup Kitchen in Hamden.

The team also hosted a food drive for the area needy (donated and collected items), created cards that were distributed to members of the United States military and brightened up the St. Patrick's Day holiday for elderly residents of a senior center through the creation of an array of decorations.

Simply put, the team has donated its time, talent and treasure to a wide range of causes that impacted a variety of constituents - on-campus, in the local community, and as far as around the world.

24

Housing and Hunger – Bread Salvage Program, Wesleyan University

The Bread Salvage Program was founded by a Middletown mother who saw an opportunity to salvage hundreds of loaves of bread that would normally go to waste and distribute them to meet the needs of the community. Skylet Gun, the founder of what she called “Salvage Patch Kids”, was delivering bread from Freihofer’s Bakery Outlet Store in Cromwell to Snow School in Middletown multiple times a week. Wesleyan students partnered with Sky to help her make this an even more successful venture and with more assistance, expand the program.

In 2011, the Housing and Hunger Program took on the entire project and Wesleyan students have been running it since. Last year, the program delivered bread twice a week to two elementary schools in Middletown, Snow School and Macdonough School, and delivered upwards of 700 loaves of bread per week. Students at each school are able to bring home one or two loaves of bread for their family.

This program grew out of concern of the food security of children in Middletown. A research study by Wesleyan students completed in 2006 indicated that 20% of children in Middletown are food insecure, meaning it is not certain where their next meal will come from. A follow up study in 2010 indicated food insecurity only increased. The two schools who receive the bread have many students on free or reduced lunch (Macdonough is 80% and Snow is 40%). The program relies on a team of 15 Wesleyan volunteers during the semester, with one student taking the lead on coordinating with the schools and Freihofer's bakery, and also coordinating the volunteers schedules. When the University is on break, parents at each of the elementary schools step in to do the deliveries.

The program successfully grew from the original school to two schools and will expand to another in the next academic year.

25

Human Service Club, Housatonic Community College

Children living in a shelter for Domestic Violence cannot go trick-or-treating; their safety would be put in jeopardy. The Human Service Club purchased and provided to Bridgeport's Domestic Violence program 40 bags filled with crafts and toys, 2 games (that are reusable) along with snacks and drinks for 40 children so they could have what they called a Boo party, and every child received a goodie bag thanks to the club. Because the location of the shelter is a secret for security reasons, the things for the children were dropped off to the Domestic Violence office, to give the items directly to the children would cause safety issues for them. As a result, the children in the shelter were able to celebrate Halloween.

The club made bags for the 15 women who were living at Miracle House, a sobering center for women. In the bags were personal care items along with hardcover journals, books with inspirational and motivational statements to help stay on task, a stuffed animal to have something to hug when they need the extra hug, resume paper and envelopes, and applications to the college. The members of the club also baked cookies, cupcakes, and brought water bottles to have a small get-together with the women. The students were able to interact with the women and speak to them about college and to hear the women’s stories. The women in the program received items that will be useful as they plan their future, and received information that may help them make an informed choice about the possibility of attending college.

The club made up bags for the 48 men living at the Isaiah House, a halfway program for men transitioning from jail into the community. What was included in the bags were personal care items along with wallets (with a quarter in it for an emergency phone call), handkerchief, resume paper, envelopes, college application and college catalog. The members of the club also baked cookies, cupcakes, and brought water bottles to have a small get-together with the men. The students were very humbled when many of the men broke down in tears stating they have never had anyone be this kind to them. The men in the program received items that will be useful as they plan their future, and received information that may help them make an informed choice about the possibility of attending college.

The Human Service Club sponsored three (3) blood drives working with the Red Cross. A blood drive had not taken place for five (5) plus years on the HCC campus when the person who organized it had retired. The Human Service Club took up that mantle and did not just organize the drive they also helped with the registration of those coming to give their blood. The club was able to have some of the students from the Black Student Union help by volunteering some of their time to help make the blood drive a successful event.

26

*Jumpstart at UConn, University of Connecticut

Jumpstart for Young Children is a national non-profit working towards the day every child in America enters school prepared to succeed. To achieve this mission, Jumpstart partners with colleges to engage students in literacy-focused service to under-resourced pre-schools. Since the summer of 2007, the UConn has partnered with Jumpstart to service pre-school youth in Vernon/Rockville and Mansfield.

Each year, 44 UConn students commit to 300+ hours of service during an academic year. Students, known as Corps Members (CM), are enrolled as part-time AmeriCorps members. If eligible, CM’s can be paid through federal work-study funds, but most CM’s are volunteers. CMs receive training in early childhood development, cultural competency, and civic engagement. CMs reflect on an on-going basis through weekly small group meetings as well as periodic all corps events. The structured service, intentional training, and critical reflection combine to make a rigorous service-learning experience. Since its beginning, it has involved over 172 students who have invested over 54,500 hours in planning and implementing the Jumpstart program. During the 2011-12 year, students contributed over 13,000 hours making it one of the largest service programs on campus in terms of hours served and certainly the highest per student (>300 hours). These experiences have significant academic and civic impacts. 27.9% of CM’s reported that after participating in Jumpstart they changed their academic major or minor to either Education or a related human services field (human development, Sociology, etc). They also reported growth in virtually all survey items related to civic engagement, but the greatest gains were seen in students having a “good understanding about most of the important issues facing the community where I serve” with a 33% increase in positive responses between pre and post surveys. Jumpstart is also having an impact on the children. Evaluation results using the School Success Checklist Scales, teachers reported that children in the Jumpstart program outgained their pre-school peers (comparison group) in both literacy and social development. These results mean that the children are better prepared for kindergarten.

Over the years, the Jumpstart UConn program has served over 170 children intensely through Jumpstart sessions and hundreds of other children through general classroom assistance. Recently, Jumpstart’s program design has evolved in order to serve more children by changing its 1:1 service ratio and curriculum. The UConn program has followed suit by changing to a 1:2 or 1:3 in some circumstance thus upping the number of children served from 40 in previous years to approximately 90 during this nomination period. No matter what changes have been made in the curriculum, Jumpstart’s core philosophies include strong relationship building between Jumpstart volunteers and the children, language development, and school readiness skills.

Additionally Jumpstart organized a 5 year anniversary celebration at UConn that included current and former CM’s, Jumpstart national and regional staff, and key University personnel. The event included an opening ceremony with keynote speaker Representative Courtney, an all-corps service day at the local pre-school partners and concluding with a recognition event.

27

Men’s and Women’s Lacrosse Program, Western Connecticut State University

Beginning in 2009 and each year since, the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams have been volunteering their time to set up and break down “The Festival of Trees”, an annual event and major fund raiser for the regional cancer support organization, Ann’s Place, the home of I CAN. This organization provides a multitude of services at no cost to the clients who so desperately need them. This is a major commitment that requires many hours of volunteer time over the course of 7 days. Additionally, student athletes raised funds to support the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, held annually on the university campus.

In addition to this annual commitment, over the 2011-2012 calendar year they dedicated a game to raise awareness and funds to support The Wounded Warrior Project. They also held a Youth Day Celebration at another game in 2012, and coordinated “High School Play Day 2012”, which 10 area high schools attended.

On a bi-weekly basis in the spring of 2012 lacrosse players volunteered at Daily Bread, a local food bank, unloading trucks of donated food and packaging food for distribution to area residents.

During the 2011-2012 calendar year, Lacrosse players supported many university initiatives, volunteering time to help with enrollment efforts during the Admissions Department’s Open House, raising spirits and promoting school pride at Jam the O-Night and coordinating the annual Lacrosse Alumni games.

They volunteered their time to help stage the HV/Stratton Faxon half-marathon/5K road race in 2012, and the players participated in the Zumba 4 MacKenzie event to support Mackenzie Newsome, who was battling a rare form of cancer, and the daughter of Melissa, our university’s dance team coach.

Many of our student athletes volunteer additional time each year as coaching staff for area youth programs, including Brookfield, Bethel, Danbury and Ridgefield, serving as positive roll models for young athletes.

This group of young men and women continually and consistently answer the call when asked to make a difference, on campus and in the community!

28

National Society of Black Engineers, University of Bridgeport

This year the University of Bridgeport chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers has facilitated many service projects in an effort to get more at-risk youth in the Greater Bridgeport area engaged in math and science. Once a week NSBE members meet with local high school students in NSBE Jr. to help them with their homework. NSBE also coordinated special events such as workshops and guest speakers. NSBE members have also helped NSBE Jr. prepare for a robot building competition called Engineering Design. This semester NSBE started a math tutoring program for middle school children in math, at St. Ambrose catholic school. One of the largest NSBE service initiatives this year has been the Try-Math-A-Lon. It is a Jeopardy style game consisting of math questions that are based on the SAT's. Since October, NSBE members have been meeting with local high school students twice a week to prepare the kids for the SATs and improve their math skills, while also having fun.

All of NSBE's service initiatives have greatly improved both the math and science skills and interested in pursuing a college education in the students who are participating in their programs. Many of these high school students are students who would have never pursued a college education and now they are excited about going to college and many intend to major in STEM curriculums.

29

Read to Succeed, Sacred Heart University

Read to Succeed was an initiative launched in the fall of 2011. Two students, Mia James and Alexa Wrinn, were increasingly troubled by the low literacy skills demonstrated by students in Bridgeport. As mentors for two and half years in various after school programs, the pair noticed this trend growing among youth and decided that it was time to take action in the community. James and Wrinn decided that they wanted to begin a literacy program for young students believing that increased practice in reading comprehension and writing outside of the classroom, would improve the academic success of students across the board.

They approached several schools with ESL populations, but had difficulty implementing the program in an after school setting. As a result, Wrinn and James decided that they needed to change their focus to a group of students who were not currently served by any program at the University. With the help of a social worker at Alpha Community Services, the students were able to launch Read to Succeed in the Brooks St. Family Shelter in Bridgeport, CT.

The tireless work of James and Wrinn to get this program off the ground has yielded great success, involving close to 10 Sacred Heart student mentors. In the last year, the program has served over 30 children living in the shelter system. Given, that Brooks St. Shelter transitions families into permanent housing, the program works with new children every two months. Read to Succeed has evolved from its original mission to meet the needs of the children it serves. Mentors spend time working with the children on homework, reading comprehension and writing. The mentors work to meet the needs of every child at his or her reading level. Children are split up between college mentors in order to address a plethora of reading issues like sequencing, character development and plot. Mentors also work to tie the literacy lessons to key concepts from the students' homework. At the time of the program's inception, the children living in the shelter were somewhat guarded. However, the children have opened up immensely due to the consistency of their mentors and now come each week ready and excited to learn.

Additionally, the group started an initiative in which mentors donate books to the shelter in an effort to encourage extracurricular reading by program participants.

Though the program initially faced many obstacles, Wrinn and James persisted and created a sustainable program that will impact the lives of children in poverty for years to come.

30

Rugby Team, Eastern Connecticut State University

Since 2004 Eastern Rugby players have been actively involved in the Willimantic community by performing numerous hours of volunteer work. Some of the community service work that the Rugby Team has been involved with in the 2011-12 year includes: volunteering at the Soup Kitchen, assisting with the Special Olympics, Holy Family shelter painting, Community Yard raking for the elderly and volunteering at Camp Harkness to name a few. The Rugby Team has made community service a cornerstone of their program.

One of the areas that the Eastern Connecticut State University Rugby Team regularly volunteers at is the Covenant Soup Kitchen located in Willimantic, CT. Some of the specific activities that the Rugby Team has been involved with at the Soup Kitchen includes the following; assist with clearing snow from the roof, food pick up, making up Christmas bags, outdoor trash pickup, painting, food preparation and cleaning to name a few.

The volunteer work at the Covenant Soup Kitchen has gone from 1 day per semester in 2004 to multiple weeks per semester this year. This type of community outreach has become as integral to the identity of the Rugby Team as conditioning and playing on the field. These young men have learned and continue to learn the value and reward of giving back to the community; this has bound them together for all other community services. The Eastern Connecticut State University Rugby Team is also instrumental in recruiting other groups for fund raising, awareness raising and sponsoring food drives at the Covenatn Soup Kitchen. They are the group of individuals that the Covenant Soup Kitchen uses as their “go to group” when items need to be done. The respect and discipline that they have learned from their efforts at the Soup Kitchen have permeated all aspects of their life including game play, other community service projects along with their personal and academic relationships.

As their coach Ray Aramini often says,“none of these gentlemen will be professional rugby players, but all of them will be professionals”. The work that the team does both on and off the field prepares them to be responsible community members. They are the finest ambassadors that Eastern Connecticut State University has to offer by the examples that they set within the community and the high bar that has been established for helping out the community.

31

Second Annual Alternative Spring Break, Norwalk Community College

Second Annual Alternative Spring Break, James River State Park, VA, March 11 – 17, 2012. James River State Park is located in Buckingham county, halfway between Charlottesville and Lynchburg, VA and has two miles of river frontage along the James River.

“That place changed me!”“The experience was extremely rewarding and I developed some great friendships.”“I would definitely recommend alternative spring break to others. It was fun and rewarding.”“I got to know other NCC students and probably had a lot more fun than if I had gone somewhere else.”

Eleven students, Professor Jonathan McMenamin-Balano, and Acting Director of Student Activities Adrienne Conley traveled the State Park by train. They spent a week working and living together in a cabin. Together they completed approximately 300 volunteer hours during the week for the natural Discovery area. Projects they started and completed included: • A rock stream • Ball and mallet game • Wicker boat • Tree stump lane • Ring-toss game • Fencing • Trail restoration

During their free time, students were able to participate in a variety of outdoor activities including: • Canoeing • Owl hike • Hiking • Mountain biking • Camp fires

32

Service Team, Southern Connecticut State University

The SCSU Service Team exemplifies the commitment of the institution to service. Not only has the university allocated resources and support for the student run organization, but the Student Government Association has adopted service as a branch of their organization. By doing so, SGA commits financially, assists with training and volunteers to assist the “Service Commission” as they continue to grow and develop.

In 2011-2012, the SCSU Service Team sponsored and/or participated in over 15 service projects which totaled over 3000 service hours. The SCSU Service Team coordinates the major university service events including the SCSU annual Big Event, March 31, 2012 (approximately 400 participants) in which students volunteer at local agencies in the local community including AIDS Project New Haven, the Ronald McDonald House, Common Ground High School, and New Haven Home Recovery. On September 22nd, 2012, the SCSU Service team sponsored and coordinated SCSU’s annual Day of Service, in collaboration with the New Haven Police Department, (400 participants in the Fall of 2011) in which students blanket the city of New Haven in an effort to clean, paint, and assist the local community with small and large projects. Throughout the Fall and Spring semesters, the team coordinated programs and events including Solar Youth Day in which over 25 children in the program spend the day with college students on-campus, volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House, Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry along with several other events. For the 3rd consecutive year, the Service Team hosted a very successful Service Fair where almost 20 local agencies participated and offered undergraduate students, clubs and organizations different service opportunities which over 100 students attended.

After being awarded the Connecticut Commission on Higher Education award for Outstanding Commitment to Service by an organization in April of 2012, the Service Team enhanced the way in which they administered events by incorporate three components to their programs and events. Prior to the event, the team hosts an educational program and a fundraising event to benefit the agency they partner with. After the volunteer experience, they ask the student participants to write a reflection that could be posted to the Service Team website. This model has been slow to implement but has proven to be an effective way to help students develop a broader understanding of service and civic engagement.

33

*Socially Responsible Investment Initiative, Dwight Hall at Yale / Yale University

The Dwight Hall Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) fund at Yale is the first undergraduate-run SRI fund in the country. The committee consisted of 20 undergraduate student volunteers in the 2011-2012 academic year who contributed over 1440 hours to raise funds and manage a portfolio of more than $80,000.

The group employs a modern approach to socially responsible investing that aims to have a positive environmental and social impact while outperforming standard investment benchmarks. The group aims to contribute to the succes of Dwight Hall, inspire the creation of similar funds at other colleges, and make SRI both accessible and exciting to college students.

The group expands opportunities for volunteer service to students who are attracted to careers in business and finance sectors as well as service volunteers who are attracted to the public sector. The investment portfolio includes a market-driven portion that directly invests funds in publicly held stock corporations as well as debt and real estate investments.

The group diligently researches and applies screening metrics that ensure stock corporations meet high standards for environmental impact, labor conditions, and corporate governance practices. A portion of the portfolio is directly invested in Connecticut community loan funds that make dollars available for affordable housing development and low-income home ownership loans in New Haven and Bridgeport.

The group provides a unique model for student community investment and responsible citizenship while also providing sustainable revenues for student volunteer services on a college campus.

34

United Campus Alliance (UCA), Sacred Heart University

Chenelle and Natasha James, identified the grave need for issues prejudice and racism to be addressed on and off the Sacred Heart University campus.Their response was creating the student-led club United Campus Alliance (UCA).

The Spring of 2012 semester the pair realized their goal. After going through the process of creating a constitution and having official status within Sacred Heart University’s Student Affairs division, the James sisters began creating events and holding meetings with the fundamental goal of raising awareness and giving space for the voices of disenfranchised to be heard. As a result of their dedication they have created multiple events that bring individuals from their hometown of Bridgeport and members of the Sacred Heart University community together. The level of discussion and dialogue concerning issues of prejudice and racism has greatly been increased because of the efforts of the James sisters.

35

SPECIAL AWARD NOMINEES

The 2013 Special Award category is to honor college and university faculty and staff who are considered leaders in community service by their personal contributions and have made a sustainable impact within the institution and the community.

Award recipient is identified with an asterisk.

36

Dwight Bachman, Eastern Connecticut State University

Dwight Bachman has performed a wide range of service to many communities around the state of Connecticut. When there is a need to champion a meaningful cause, Mr. Bachman is often the go-to person. Dwight Bachman has had a long and storied career in journalism and public relations. As Public Relations Officer for Eastern, it’s his job to tell the story. But he goes beyond the expectations of his position to promote the efforts of individuals and organizations at Eastern that make a difference in our communities. He also “walks the talk” by personally serving on committees and boards to give back in meaningful ways.

Dwight Bachman’s passion is raising awareness of the efforts and talents in the Eastern community and beyond. President Elsa Nunez received the Connecticut Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission’s Lifetime Achievement Award as a result of Mr. Bachman’s compelling personal nomination. In January of 2012 Dwight worked with Eastern staff to air a 12-part series he created on the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Dr. King, to serve as an inspiration to students. Also in January, Mr. Bachman published an extensive article in local publications about the social justice efforts of State Supreme Court Justice Lubbie Harper, Jr., resulting in Justice Harper receiving Eastern’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. In June, 2012 Mr. Bachman highlighted Eastern student volunteers working with Windham youth in a summer academic enrichment camp. His articles on Eastern’s faculty and students bring attention and acclaim to their excellent work in the community. In all of his publications, Mr. Bachman focuses on highlighting the service efforts of the faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners of Eastern. These and other efforts go far beyond the requirements of his position and are an example of his personal commitment to service.

Mr. Bachman inspires youth to pursue higher education through his involvement with organizations including Connecticut's Department of Children and Families, the World Scholar Athlete Games, the World Youth Peace Summit, the Bethel AME Church, and many others. He supports and promotes community scholarship efforts for students of color to attend Eastern and other institutions of higher education. He challenges youth through statewide oratorical contests, and publishes articles in their local newspapers to celebrate their efforts. He mentors Eastern students to become first-rate writers, and inspires students by setting an example to build their personal commitment to civic responsibility.

37

Linda Bayusik, Housatonic Community College

Linda Bayusik, Director of Student Activities at Housatonic Community College (HCC) and HCC graduate class of 1996, has worked at HCC since 1997. During the 2011-2012 academic year, Linda submitted a successful application to President Barack Obama's Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge. HCC was the only Connecticut community college to participate in this initiative to build understanding between different faith-based communities and contribute to the common good. The hallmark event for this initiative was the HCC Day of Community Service. This day of service was held on April 21, 2012 in collaboration with the Norma F. Pfriem Urban Outreach Initiatives in partnership with the United Congregational Church in Bridgeport. Over 100 students volunteered their time throughout the day; accomplishing the following: Collected ten bags of trash, filled three vans with donated food and clothing items, helped with getting the community gardens ready for planting, sorted food in the food pantry, and organized the clothes closet. This by far has been the most successful community service activity to date for student activities within the last four years since Ms. Bayusik became director in 2009.

On April 30, 2012, HCC hosted its first Bone Marrow Drive that added 57 students to the national bone marrow registry and was one of the largest collegiate drives. Since that drive, additional bone marrow drives have been held on campus; Linda has worked with her Student Activities Directors Council to provide information on how they can host a drive. The benefit of holding bone marrow drives at HCC is that more outreach can be done to minority students for which there is a national shortage on the bone marrow registry.

Ms. Bayusik’s commitment to service extends beyond HCC. She is an inspirational advocate for children with cancer. Since the first day that childhood cancer came into her life, after viewing an episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition, five years ago, her life changed. She fully supports these families with notes of encouragement, visitations, meals, and fund raisers. In 2011 and 2012, she attended and raised funds for two national fund raising events held in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles respectively for St. Baldrick’s, a national organization dedicated to raising funds for researchers to find a cure for pediatric cancer, and has helped with several of their Connecticut events. She volunteers with Patient Airlift Services (PALS), an organization that provides free air transportation to individuals including children in critical need of treatments. At the Los Angeles event, she had a table for PALS and provided information on the company to participants. Starting in Spring 2012, Linda served as the lead organizer for an event called Line of Hope Connecticut, held in September 2012. Twenty families with children with cancer attended the family themed event at her home enjoying food and various entertainment activities.

The culmination of Linda’s service to others was her induction into the HCC Foundation’s Alumni Hall of Fame in 2012. Linda is a remarkable woman whose dedication to serving others is witnessed throughout the community.

38

Susan Engwall, Northwestern CT Community College

Dr. Susan Engwall, D.V.M. is an Associate Professor of Veterinary Technology at the College. When she was first hired, VET 152, the Large Animal Veterinary Technology course, was a 3-credit lecture course. She was assigned the task to develop the laboratory section in such a way as to provide students more “hands-on” experiences. She tapped her contacts in the veterinary field to create a service learning laboratory for the Veterinary Technology program. This has evolved to be quite successful, making it possible for the College to provide some no-cost veterinary services to the local agricultural community, while the community service aspect has greatly increased students’ awareness of the diversity present in the local farming community. Although CT has an agricultural past, our direct ties to agriculture are being lost and most of today’s students have no prior experience with agriculture or livestock management.

This Large Animal course is now 4 credits with 3 hours of lecture and a 3 hour lab each week. In spring 2012 the students of VET 152 and Dr. Engwall spent 10 to 12 Friday afternoons at farms, talking to farm owners and providing needed services to the animals. Some of the noteworthy field trips included visits to Manes & Motions Therapeutic Riding Center in Middletown and Flamig Farm in West Simsbury.

Manes & Motions is associated with the Hospital for Special Care, and is dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults afflicted with physical, cognitive or emotional disabilities. It is a place where “participants are given the opportunity to experience freedom and empowerment through movement.” (www.justhorses.com) The VET 152 class provided free annual health checks and vaccinations for the horses in their program. Due to budget cutbacks, Manes & Motions relies on this crucial service provided by the students under Dr. Engwall’s supervision.

Flamig Farm is involved with agritourism and is a popular destination for elementary school field trips and families in the local community. In Connecticut, many small family farms have been lost due to the development of farmland for residential and business purposes; and our younger generation is losing touch with our agricultural past. The veterinary services provided here also enable the farm to maintain their vision as a demonstration and education center in New England. As a real working farm, home to chickens, horses, donkeys, hogs and many other animals, Flamig Farm shares ways to live more harmoniously with the environment and allows everyone to learn about the natural world in which we live.

Dr. Engwall’s efforts through the service learning model in her class, has provided benefits beyond the students and the animals they treat. Perhaps it is best said in the purpose of Flamig Farm, striving “to encourage all ….to take greater responsibility for personal and community wellbeing. (www.flamigfarm.com )

39

Shareen Hertel, University of Connecticut

Dr. Shareen Hertel is involved in multiple service activities.

First, Dr. Hertel volunteers for St. Mark’s Episcopal Chapel in Storrs, where she has been actively involved in children’s ministries for five years. This contribution entails weekly development and implementation of lesson plans for the congregation’s children.

Second, Dr. Hertel has been participating in a Strategic Planning process for the Community School of the Arts (CSA) on the University of Connecticut Depot Campus this year. The CSA, which was formerly associated with the Division of Continuing Studies, recently became part of the School of Fine Arts, and Dr. Hertel has been involved in helping refine the school's course offerings to increase the number of college students, local children, and community members alike involved in its programming.

Through her efforts at both St. Mark's and the CSA, Hertel is helping enrich the lives of hundreds of people in her "off hours."

Third, Dr. Hertel chairs the University of Connecticut’s President’s Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility (PCCSR). She has been a member of this committee since it was convened by then-President Philip Austin in 2005, and became chair in 2011. Dr. Hertel’s leadership on this committee has been an important factor leading to changes in the way the university contracts goods and service with a view to protecting human rights and environmental sustainability. For example, the PCCSR spearheaded the drafting of a newly released University of Connecticut Vendor Code of Conduct, which was approved by the Board of Trustees in Spring 2013 and is now an official university policy.

The Code of Conduct promotes socially responsible practices by requiring that vendors that the university partners with adhere to minimal legal standards, and when selecting vendors, university personnel now have a guide by which to consider preferred vendor practices, such as payment of a living wage for employees and environmentally sustainable operation.

The PCCSR has also been involved in outreach on sustainability issues with faculty, staff and students, including: a Think Outside the Bottle aimed at reducing the campus’ carbon footprint by distributing reusable water bottles to incoming freshman as well as faculty and staff; and the procurement of sustainably harvested, Rainforest Alliance-certified coffee in all dining halls and university-operated retail kiosks on the Storrs campus.

Dr. Hertel is committed to making the PCCSR an important vehicle for engaging the University of Connecticut community in thinking differently about how the products and services we use can align with our values.

40

Wendy Kohli, Fairfield University

Since 2009, Fairfield University’s Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions (GSEAP) has partnered with St. Martin de Porres Academy (SMPA) in New Haven, CT to improve SMPA’s quality of teaching and learning. Dr. Wendy Kohli, Professor of Educational Studies and Teacher Preparation at Fairfield, serves as the faculty liaison for this dynamic partnership. SMPA educates 61 students in grades five through eight, offering tuition-free schooling to children from low-income families. Faculty and students from three departments in the GSEAP participate in this collaboration. While Dr. Kohli’s role in the partnership is all-encompassing, her primary goal is to match the professional development needs of the teachers with the interest, expertise, and resources of GSEAP faculty.

Central to the partnership, Dr. Kohli volunteers her time to lead a teacher learning community (TLC) for the faculty at SMPA, most of whom are AmeriCorps volunteers with little or no experience teaching. Dr. Kohli meets with the teachers at least once monthly to facilitate a discussion about the experience of teaching at SMPA, provide a forum for group support, and identify needs for professional development. Additionally, Dr. Kohli meets regularly with her GSEAP colleagues to discuss the progress of the SMPA teachers and coordinate related professional development activities including: Two-week “back to school” training and orientation sessions held every August since 2009; Day-long professional development sessions held on campus at Fairfield University in the fall and spring of every year since 2009; Visits to other school partners to observe teaching strategies in action; Regular planning sessions with the Principal and President of SMPA to strategize about how to meet the ongoing needs of the students and teachers in the school. In addition to her direct service with SMPA, Dr. Kohli also teaches an undergraduate service-learning course each semester, ED 329 Philosophy of Education, through which her students serve with SMPA. In 2011-12, approximately 40 university students in her course served with SMPA, contributing tutoring, fundraising for scholarships, and hosting SMPA students for a campus visit.

Evidence of the success of this GSEAP partnership with SMPA includes: reduced SMPA teacher turnover, increased academic preparedness of SMPA graduates, and increased peer-respect among SMPA teaching staff. The success of the SMPA partnership has inspired GSEAP to initiate the GSEAP-Community Collaborative to facilitate the extension of this partnership model to other local schools, public and private.Dr. Kohli, her colleagues, Fairfield undergraduate students, SMPA teachers, administrators, students, and parents – are all working toward a common goal: a quality education delivered in a loving environment.

In the coming year, Dr. Kohli has been awarded a sabbatical to bring together her multi-faceted work with Saint Martin de Porres Academy through a research project that will be a model of community-engaged scholarship. She plans to complete an oral history of the founding of the school by interviewing the key members of the Board, the founding Principal, and the first teachers at SMPA.

41

Frank Kuan, Wesleyan University

Frank Kuan has worked in the Middletown community for over 20 years, the last 15 years at Wesleyan. He embodies the spirit of collaboration and has been the driving force of positive relations with our local community due to his dedication and commitment to developing mutually beneficial partnerships.

One specific project that Frank leads is the United Way campaign. He handles all the regular logistics of managing the pledge forms and reaching out to departments, while also adding his personal touch to every detail. He handwrites a thank you note to all who donate -- nearly 500 in total. He also sends special thank you's to the department heads who have 100% participation.

Frank is a catalyst, facilitator or doer. You will find him bringing different people together to spark ideas and partnerships. You will also find him lending a hand on the many local committees on which he serves from the Long Hill Estates to the Downtown Business District to Holiday on Main.

It is not one specific act that warrants Frank getting an award, it is all of his acts. He gives generously of himself to our community on campus, the community in our city and to our students, and always goes beyond what is expected of him.

42

Deirdre Moutinho, Naugatuck Valley Community College

In addition to balancing a dynamic, multi-faceted, full-time position at Naugatuck Valley Community College, Deirdre Moutinho regularly volunteers her time, outside of the scope of her responsibilities and her assigned hours, with the following activities:

Participates regularly in functions tailored for NVCC student recruiting and retention. The students are able to tap the wealth of information that Deirdre can offer from her ten years at NVCC. These efforts include, but are not limited to:

• Walk-in Registration Sessions • Financial Aid Seminars• New Student Orientation presentations• Admissions Information Sessions

Informational Resource: Deirdre remains connected with students in her former programs (Latino Initiative, SOAR, WAVE) often as a counselor/advisor; she continually offers directional advice, guidance in personal and educational matters, proposes solutions to issues/dilemmas/circumstance, and has been known to assist her students in finding job placement opportunities/employment.

Sunday's at the Waterbury St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen: This activity includes preparing, serving and cleaning-up meals for Waterbury's less fortunate citizens. Her monthly presence reinforces NVCC Mission and Vision with regard to helping the community at large.

Greatly connected within the college and the community, perhaps Deirdre's greatest accomplishment has been her ability to retain students. Her efforts repeatedly lead the students toward finding their directions and interests at the college, allowing them to confidently progress within the appropriate program/discipline (which frequently results in the successful completion of a certificate and/or degree), and ultimately leads the student to the promise of a better future.

43

Susan Steiz, Norwalk Community College

Susan Steiz, the Coordinator of the service-learning marketing project, NCC Marketing Program, developed this concept to increase the student learning in Principles of Marketing. Susan works closely to identify non-profit organizations in the community who can benefit from this project. She guides her students through the process of developing marketing plans for these organizations. With Susan's support this project has been adopted by all instructors teaching Principles of Marketing.

The Service Learning Project is the key opportunity for students to apply marketing concepts presented in class to problems and opportunities as they exist within businesses today. The project represents experiential learning – or put another way, learning by doing.

Students get exposure to:• Working as part of a team to identify and propose solutions to business problems• Understanding the role of marketing as a business advisor• Developing recommendations based on marketing methodology• Presenting their ideas to an audience including their service learning ‘client.’

Benefits to students• Real-time, real-life experience• Potential of resume-relevant work• Opportunity to develop and share ideas

Benefits to Service Learning organizations • Potential of gaining insights into their organization at no dollar cost to them.• Opportunity to know that in addition to their non-profit work, they have made a difference to a group of students

Outcomes from prior S-L projects• Students all loved doing these projects despite the challenges they posed. • Service Learning organizations got real value from the work presented. • One organization representative said “That’s great! It’s exactly what I was looking for – a new perspective.” • Another videotaped the presentation and hugged her student team with excitement.

This project is offered in all the Principles of Marketing classes. In 2011-12, 28 community partners were served.

44

*Jennifer Turner, University of Bridgeport

Since arriving at the University of Bridgeport in 2010, Jennifer Turner has greatly increased the culture of service on the UB campus. She has started many new community service efforts including a 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance, Challenge Day of Service, Domestic Violence Vigil, and a Sexual Assault Awareness Walk. Turner also created a common interest living community in one of the UB residence halls specifically for students interested in Community Service, Civic Engagement and Social Justice Issues.

Now, in her third term of service as an AmeriCorps VISTA member at UB, Turner continues to do everything toward fulfilling the UB mission of having students who are committed to service. This year, Turner created the first SNAP Food Challenge at UB. This program challenged people to experience one week on a total food budget equal to that of someone receiving the SNAP Food benefit. Thanks to a timely Twitter exchange with Newark, NJ mayor Cory Booker over 100 people from all over the world signed up to take part in the UB SNAP Food Challenge. The Challenge and Turner were featured on the Wall Street Journal Radio show, The Daily Wrap. This year, Turner also created the first ever Raise Your Voice film festival at the University of Bridgeport. This film festival showcased documentaries on a variety of social justice topics followed by lively roundtable discussions after each film. Two student films were also shown during the week.

Through these innovative and new service program, Turner has been responsible for greatly increasing service at the University of Bridgeport. Total non-academic service hours have increased from 7800 in 2010-11 to 10000 in 2011-12 and UB are on track to perform over 12500 service hours this year.

In addition, Turner also serves as the advisor to many student service organizations at UB including Purple Light Charity Club, BuildOn, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc, Spotted Stilettos and OWLS in CUS. Turner also serves as the advisor for the University of Bridgeport Alternative Spring Break program and this year accompanied 9 students to New Jersey to assist with Hurricane Sandy Relief efforts and to mentor youth at the Newark Boys and Girls Club.