Tag: Civic Engagement

Calling All Honors Students

The Goon Squad has been a tradition at Syracuse University since the 1940’s and is a vital part of welcoming our new students into the Orange Family. Be a part of an SU tradition and help institute a new Honors tradition.

Sign up to volunteer at this link, enter “Honors” into the “Organization – Not Listed:: field, and choose the 3-6p Brewster/Boland/Brockway slot.

Henry Peterson, a senior studying Engineering and Computer Science, volunteered his time building a house for an underprivileged family with Habitat 4 Humanity. He was part of a group of 15 students who constructed and secured supports and external walls as well as parts of the interior structure of the house. During construction, Henry was able to meet with the future homeowner and listen to how this opportunity changed her life. Through this civic engagement project, Henry learned about the time and dedication it takes to run an organization like Habitat 4 Humanity. Not only did he get to experience the gratitude of the future homeowner, but he also realized “for great things to be completed a lot of dedication from volunteers is needed.” In the future, Henry plans on volunteering more of his time to Habitat 4 Humanity.

 

 

Contributing Blogger Samantha DeTore, ’15 Arts and Sciences

Katrina Aberizk served on the Dean’s Team, helping out with a professor’s forum for freshman. She enjoyed the opportunity to work with incoming students. She wrote that,

 “I feel as if I made a great impression on the students in Professor Himes’ First Year Forum. It was refreshing and reassuring that they all felt comfortable talking to me and asking me questions, as I remember being in their position a year ago. My goal was to be a friendly and supportive peer mentor to this group of students, and based on their reactions and my relationship with Professor Himes, I believe that I achieved in my endeavor. I fully enjoyed my experience serving as a First Year Forum mentor, and through my service in the Dean’s Team, I have every intention of becoming a First Year Forum mentor again.”

 Consider helping the class of ’17 when they come to campus next fall. For more information and application materials, please visit http://thecollege.syr.edu/students/visitor_center/DeansTeam.html

Eileen Spath ’14 hosts a morning radio show on WJPZ. She is on air live giving you the day’s weather, introducing songs, and sharing local and national news. As a morning show host, Eileen researches entertainment news – everything from what’s happening with Kate and Will to what Justin Beiber has been up to lately. She and her co-hosts take calls, play games, and talk about what’s “hot,” both in the world and in the area. Her favorite role at WJPZ, however, is as the Internal Relations Director. Eileen says she mediates “internal conflicts and promote[s] station unity. I joke that I’m part therapist, part social chair. It’s kind of true – I get to know everyone pretty well and feel I’m contributing to the station in a needed way.”

Sounds pretty good, right? But there’s more to this Newhouse than just a pretty voice. At CitrusTV, Eileen does everything from training new members to producing live post-game sports shows. When producing, it’s her job to coordinate everyone – editors, reporters and crew to make sure the show comes together. For this job description, Eileen says, “I also produce graphics for our live sports broadcasts and direct shows. It can be stressful, but it’s a lot of fun. Additionally, I’m responsible for coordinating our partnership with the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central, a local high school. We go to the school and talk with broadcast students, giving them advice and feedback.”

Eileen’s civic engagement is truly inspirational. She’s adding to her professional portfolio and resume, while at the same time doing so much more. In her own words, “I’ve learned a lot, especially with teaching other students who are interested in broadcasting and production. It’s amazing what taking time out of your day can do for someone else. It’s shown me that you can use your skills to teach and help others fulfill their goals. Going forward, I hope to expand on that, especially with my relationship with the local school. I’m hoping to expand the program further and make an even bigger impact.”

 

 

 

The Mary Ann Shaw Center for Public and Community Service is the perfect place to start. Located in the Schine Student Center, the staff at the Shaw Center will listen to who you are and help you find the placement that is best for you.

And now even better, the Shaw Center has received a grant to support 25 part-time AmeriCorps community service positions. The grant from New York Campus Compact, the New Yorkers Volunteers, and the Corporation for National and Community Service will be used to support the recruitment of college students to volunteer in their communities—helping to increase the capacity of local nonprofit organizations and schools, and meeting critical community-defined needs.

The AmeriCorps Education Award Program currently operates on 15 campuses across the state. Overall, 350 college students will participate in the program this year, and will contribute approximately 105,000 hours of service to their local communities. Through the Education Award Program, college student volunteers in New York will be eligible to earn $1,175 upon successful completion of 300 hours of service. Collectively, students across the state will receive more than $400,000 in education awards. This year’s program will focus on education and economic development, aiming to increase mentoring of disadvantaged youth and create more jobs across the state. In addition, members will also engage in activities from flood relief efforts to health and wellness education.

The Shaw Center was selected as one of four locations to pilot the program in 2010.  During that pilot, 9 undergraduate students completed 2700 hours of service at Syracuse schools and community agencies.  Syracuse University students earned over $10,000 in AmeriCorps education awards, which could be immediately applied toward their student expenses.  This year, Shaw Center hopes to recruit 25 students for the program.

“The Education Award Program brings valuable resources to currently enrolled students who are committed to serving their communities,” said Laurie Worrall, Executive Director of New York Campus Compact. “At a time when financial resources are tight, this program rewards both students and their institutions for continuing their commitments to serve their communities.”

For more information on the Education Award Program at Syracuse University, contact Program Manager Colleen McAllister at literacy@syr.edu.  The first information and orientation session will be held on Friday February 1^st at 2:00pm.