Siena College Academic Community Engagement News Magazine

DEEP ServiceSiena Co l lege Academic Communi ty Engagement News | Spr ing/Summer 2014

INSIDE: Albany Mayor Visits ACECommunity Forum 2.0ACE Service CelebrationACE Video ShowcaseUndergraduate & Postgraduate News

ACE DEEP Service Magazine Photo Cover Contest Runner Ups! Thank you for submitting!

DEEP Service Magazine |

HIGHLIGHTS

DEPARTMENTS

04 ACE News12 Undergraduate News18 Postgraduate News24 DEEP Connections30 Alumni Spotlight

06 Albany Mayor Visits ACEAlbany Mayor, Kathy Sheehan, visits ACE for the annual Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service.

18 New VISTAs Join ACEA new Siena AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows cohort joins ACE in November, which brings the team to a total of 29 members.

24 Leadership through SoccerSiena College Women’s Soccer Team player, Taylor Booth ’15, rallies team members to teach boys and girls how to play soccer and develop other important life long skills.

DEEP ServiceAcademic Community Engagement News Magazine | Spring/Summer 2014

515 Loudon RoadLoudonville, New York 12211(518) 782-6886 (phone)(518) 786-5080 (fax)[email protected] (email)www.siena.edu/ace (web)

Published ByOffice of Academic Community EngagementDr. Mathew Johnson ’93, Director

DesignJennifer Hunt

EditorsLori A. Barringer, Jennifer Hunt, Pamela Skripak

Contributing WritersAdriana Battle, Taylor Booth ’15, Jimmy Bulmer ’12, Lamara J. Burgess, Travis Brodbeck ’17, Rebecca Cleere, Claudia Congemi ’14, Kelly Finn ’16, Katherine Gravante ’17, Lauren Grenier ’16, Patrick Gruber, Jess Guthrie ’16, Jennifer Hunt, Syed Hussnain ’15, Dr. Ruth Kassel, Jack Kelly, Marie Lovato, Sasha Miller, Jessica Murphy ’16, Yalitza Negron ’08, Alley O’Farell ’16, Shae-Leigh Paparella-Voorhees ’15, Nick Ramundo ’14, Morgan Shrankel, Pamela Skripak, Jazmin Tejada ’15

PhotographersLori A. Barringer, Taylor Booth ’15, Kelly Finn ’16, Emily Heald ’17, Sasha Miller, Jack Kelly, Marie Lovato, Kelly Phillips ’17

PrinterSilver Griffin Printing and Copying, Troy, New York

On the CoverSiena Bonner Service Leader, Kelly Phillips ’17 (left), plays with children at the Peter Young Housing, Industries, and Treatment (PYHIT) Field Day. The Bonner Service Leaders planned and organized the event with the mission to interact with youth of the Capital District. This photo, submitted by Kelly, was the winning photo for the DEEP Service Magazine Cover Photo Contest.

ACE Winter RetreatThe ACE community came together for the 4th Annual ACE Winter Retreat this past February 6th and 7th. ACE administrators and VISTA Leaders planned this event with the theme “Hear Me Roar”, which gave the retreat an energetic feel that got participants excited about reflecting on the past and gearing up for the future.

ACENEWS

The ACE community came together for the 4th Annual ACE Winter Retreat on February 6th and 7th. ACE administrators and VISTA Leaders planned the event with the theme “Hear Me Roar”, which gave the retreat an energetic feel that got participants excited about reflecting on the past and gearing up for the future. The retreat began on Friday evening, when members from all ACE programs, including AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows, Bonner Service Leaders, Community Corps, Connect4Change, and NEXT Consulting Services, gathered for the opening activities in Sarazen Student Union. Participants were asked to reflect on where they saw themselves in their service journey and then brainstorm how to reach the next level. This engaging activity was a great bonding experience for everyone. After the opening activities, we went bowling at Olympic Lanes in Menands. This was a great opportunity to continue bonding with fellow ACE participants.

The retreat continued early the next morning with the participants and administrators meeting for breakfast. This got us energized for a day packed with exciting events and activities.

After breakfast, each program met individually for a reflective activity, where participants opened up about their struggles and support was offered. Then, in the afternoon, we did an exciting and chilly social activity, snow tubing at Tubby Tubes! Here, all members of ACE joined together to spend time on the slopes.

After traveling back to Siena College, the retreat came to a close with a family style dinner where everyone reflected on the past two days. Overall, the ACE Winter Retreat was a well-planned weekend where participants

got to build relationships with one another and reflect on their service through both social events and learning activities. We cannot wait to attend the 5th Annual Winter Retreat!


The ACE Winter Retreat Allowed Community Engagement Volunteers to Reflect on Their Service and Brainstorm Ways to Reach the Next LevelBy Lauren Grenier ’16, Community Corps

ACENEWS

Tuesday, April 1st, 2014, marked the second annual Mayors Day of Recognition for

National Service. On this day, The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) invites mayors from across the country to spend time recognizing the impact that national service programs have on meeting critical needs of communities. According to the CNCS website, over 1,200 mayors participated in this year’s event. Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, the first woman elected to the office in 75 years, joined us to hear about the impact our national service members are having in the Capital Region.

During our morning session, Mayor Sheehan participated in an intimate meet and greet with our AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows, Bonner Service Leaders, and community partners. She learned about our DEEP Service programs and services through an informational session held by our Director, Associate Director, Coordinator of VISTA Fellows Program, and our State Office Representative, Kathleen Carey. As we

shared our impact, Mayor Sheehan conveyed her enthusiasm about our commitment to community engagement and was hopeful that there would be opportunities for collaborations with ACE programs in the future.

To help her get a better sense of our community engagement activities, she had a conversation with a group of our national service members. Over a light breakfast, each member shared their DEEP Service engagement experiences. After they shared their stories, it was clear that their engagement has been a transformational experience for them and the community.

As the visit came to a close, Mayor Sheehan presented our Coordinator of AmeriCorp*VISTA Fellows Program, Lamara J. Burgess, with a Mayoral Proclamation recognizing the good work being done in our communities. ACE was proud to host Mayor Sheehan on this special day and is looking forward to future discussions on how this form of engagement can better support the needs of our community and the administration’s goals.

ACENEWS

Albany Mayor Sheehan Visits ACE for Mayors Day of Recognition for National Service By Yalitza Negron ’08, Associate Director of ACE

By Jessica Murphy ’16, Bonner Service Leader

ACE’s annual Community Forum is a day-long event in which members of both the Albany and Siena communities come together to discuss critical issues facing today’s youth. The purpose of the forum is to foster conversations about better serving and supporting our youth that will result in the creation of action plans and partnerships between Siena College and nonprofit organizations in the Capital Region. This year, we had a broad range of attendees including Albany Mayor, Kathy Sheehan, and Superintendent of the City School District of Albany, Dr. Vanden Wyngaard, as well as various nonprofit professionals, local community members, faculty, college administrators, and high school and college students.

The Community Forum is held at Siena College and is planned and organized by Siena students, nonprofit professionals from the local area, and AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows who are currently completing a year of service with an ACE partner organization. Dr. Ruth Kassel, Assistant Director of ACE, led the event planning this year. She also taught a one-credit course titled “Facilitating Community Change” in which she helped students prepare for the Community Forum. These students facilitated the various issue-specific workshops at the forum. This year the issues included: financial literacy, healthy relationships, Latino/a youth, increasing youth volunteerism in hunger and homelessness, common core, and going beyond bullying in a school climate. In pairs and small groups, the students focused on one of these issues and spent the semester planning their workshop while connecting with nonprofits in the community that related to their issue.

Anyone from the Albany community interested in supporting our youth may attend ACE’s annual community forum. Participants take away new knowledge and perspectives on particular issues local youth face, and steps they can take in their own lives, personally and professionally, to address these issues. The largest result of the Community Forum has been the many connections, collaborations, and partnerships formed between individuals and organizations, essential developments if we want to combat the issues our youth are facing.

Community Forum: Youth As An Untapped Resource

Q&A with Community Forum Facilitator Jessica Murphy ’16

Q: What inspired you to be a facilitator at the Community Forum?

When I was asked to be a student facilitator for the Community Forum I saw it as an opportunity to address issues I was passionate about. I thought it would be cool to meet individuals and learn about organizations focused on combating these issues as well.

Q: What workshop did you facilitate and why?

I facilitated the Healthy Relationships workshop because I noticed how little students learn about what a healthy relationship is and how to maintain one. Education typically focuses on teaching students about unhealthy relationships and signs to recognize them if they see them or are in one. I wanted to try and incorporate healthy relationships into that discussion and thought the Community Forum would be an awesome way to do so.

Q: What did you take away from this experience?

I took away the inspiration I received from all of the participants in the Community Forum. It was empowering to join together with so many people dedicated to supporting our youth and passionate about serving the community.



ACENEWS

By Marie Lovato, Siena AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader

On May 4th, 2014, ACE held its annual Service Celebration on campus in the Maloney Great Room. Administrators, program members, and community partners were invited to celebrate the hard work and dedication put forth over the past year.

ACE hosts the Service Celebration as a way to acknowledge those who commit to serving others all year-round. Programs honored at this year's ceremony included Community Corps, Bonner Service Leaders, and AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows, as well as the newest additions to ACE programming: NEXT Consulting Services and Connect4Change. Each program has its own approach to service, but they all have one goal in common; they are committed to social justice.

This year's event was themed Let Your Voice Be Heard and featured a kickoff speech from keynote speaker and ACE Director, Dr. Mathew Johnson ’93. He reflected on the growth of ACE, likening the office and its affiliates to a wheel whose central hub is social justice. He reminded program associates that as our wheel continues to move

forward, it is the interplay of each mechanism that allows it to be effective, with the focal point of social justice as the center, to which all other points are connected. This is what allows us to accomplish our mission.

Bonner Service Leader, Claudia Congemi ’14, and AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellow, Sasha

Miller, gave speeches reflecting on their service work. Ms. Congemi, a graduating senior, reflected on her four-year journey in the Bonner Service Leader program. She spoke about the personal growth she and her fellow Bonner Service Leaders have experienced.

continued on next page →

ACE Celebrates the Hard Work and Dedication of Its Members at the Annual ACE Service Celebration

“Overall the event was a time for recognition and reflection on the great work accomplished by all ACE members. It was truly a time to remember why we serve, and why it is so important to let your voice be heard.”

Allegheny College alumna and AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellow, Sasha Miller, gave a moving speech centered on the nature of community service. She recounted the impact service has had on her throughout her life, with a powerful quote from Lilla Watson, stating, “If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”

Following these powerful speakers was an opportunity for ACE administrators to recognize their respective programs members, including those from NEXT Consulting Services, Connect4Change, Community Corps, Bonner Service Leaders, and AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows. Recognition was also given to the transportation office and ACE operations crew, all of whom support the office in various essential ways.

The annual Community Partner of the Year Award is given to a nonprofit that establishes a long-term DEEP partnership with the ACE office and its programs, as well as builds sustainable projects that benefit the community. Mediation Matters was the recipient of this year's Community Partner of the Year Award. Executive Director, Sarah Rudger-Tysz, was present to accept the award on the organization's behalf.

The Faculty Member of the Year Award was presented to Dr. Arindam Mandal, Assistant Professor of Economics at Siena. Dr. Mandal's Economics of Discrimination class has partnered with local charter school, Green Tech High, in order to implement an index which assesses students in various degrees of success post graduation. The aim of this project is to look beyond traditional measures of academic attainment in order to evaluate what factors impact a student's ability to succeed.

Superlative awards were presented to members of each program. ACE members voted for which person should receive the following awards: Congeniality Award, DEEP Partnership Award, and the Team Player Award. Acceptance speeches were prerecorded and played as the recipients were presented their certificates of achievement.

The event concluded with the presentation of a gift to the ACE administrators from the Bonner Service Leaders, and final words of thanks from AmeriCorps*VISTA Coordinator, Lamara J. Burgess.

Overall the event was a time for recognition and reflection on the great work accomplished by all ACE members. It was truly a time to remember why we serve, and why it is so important to let your voice be heard.

ACE Welcomes a New Staff Member

ACE’s newest staff member, Cristina Alberto, is from Amsterdam, New York and recently

graduated in 2013 with an Associates of

Applied Science in Accounting from Fulton-Montgomery Community College. While working part-time at ACE, she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business administration at SUNY Cobleskill.

Cristina was inspired to join ACE because her cousin, as well as a colleague, inspired her to apply. Her cousin started a new position as an advisor and her colleague encouraged her to look into a position working with students because of how helpful and connected she was with her fellow classmates. To Cristina, working well with others and helping them succeed has always come naturally. She began to think about her future and started looking for positions at colleges. She came across the office assistant position with ACE and immediately thought it was a great start to her career path.

At ACE, Cristina works directly with Assistant Director of ACE Operations, Lori A. Barringer. Some of her responsibilities include managing student payroll, making Sodexo orders, tracking inventory, and processing event, transportation, and work requests. She enjoys working closely with the office administrators and providing students with assistance and guidance.

By Jennifer Hunt, ACE Communications

ACENEWS


On April 4, 2014, the ACE Video Showcase featured Capital District community development work performed by Siena Bonner Service Leaders and AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows. The Bonners formed issue-based teams and many of the VISTA Fellows worked in pairs or independently to make videos that focused on a service site program or project, an issue-based theme, a service site profile, or training and enrichment activities. Both VISTA Fellows and Bonner Service Leaders spent months preparing for the showcase.

On the night of the event, the community came together to show support and find out who would win the different awards. Three of the awards: Best Soundtrack, Best Message, and Best Film, were determined by a panel of judges. The People’s Choice Award was voted on by the audience. After watching all of the films, the judges awarded the Siena Trailblazers for Best Soundtrack because its contemporary music best contributed to the mood of the film, it had a clear message, and contained original content. The Best

Film Award was given to Law and Order: Special VISTA Unit because the judges liked the film’s creativity and the way its creators utilized all aspects of cinematography including music, editing, content, and originality to create an overall impactful experience. The last award decided by the panel of judges was the Best Message Award, which the

Green Tech Bonner Team received because the film best explained the service site’s issue area and mission, as well as elicited an emotional response.

The People’s Choice Award allowed the audience to vote for their favorite film. The one with the most votes

was the Bonner Boys and Girls Clubs of Albany video.

Everyone had time to eat, watch the movies, and participate in the award ceremony where the winners received many different prizes. It was a great time to have everyone come together and learn more about community development efforts in the Capital Region through inspiring videos.

ACE Program Participants Showcase Their Original Short Films Featuring Community Development Stories at the 2014 ACE Video Showcase By Shae-Leigh Paparella-Voorhees ’15, Bonner Service Leader

View the ACE Video Showcase films on our YouTube Channel, including the award winners for Best Soundtrack, Best Message, Best Short Film, and People’s Choice.youtube.com/sienacollegeace

“It was a great time to have everyone come together and learn more about the community partner sites and Capital District through inspiring videos.”

ACENEWS

UNDERGRADUATENEWS

ACE students working toward their Certificate in Community Development must do a Senior Capstone, a research

project conducted during their senior year, and present the results of their research at

Siena’s annual Academic Excellence Celebration in May. Siena faculty, staff, and students are invited to walk around the Maloney Great Room, view the posters, and pose questions to the student researchers. This year’s Senior Capstone presenters included Jonathan Catrona ‘14, Nicholas Ramundo ‘14, Claudia Congemi ‘14, Lydie Kengne ‘14, Ryan Gonnelly ‘14, Laura Priest ‘14, Stephen Jensen ‘14, Kevin Schafer ‘14, Lexys Martinez ’14, and Ayesha Ropri ‘14. Jonathan Catrona’s capstone “Evaluation of the Home Delivered Meals Program of Albany County” analyzes The Home Delivered Meals Program by Peter Young Housing, Industries, and Treatment. This program aims to increase the nutrition of elderly individuals who cannot get the proper nutrition themselves. As a part of his research, Jonathan evaluated the program’s areas of opportunities, researched ways it could be improved, and identified solutions to key challenges. He hopes his attention to the program will increase the effectiveness of the service and ensure its sustainability for years to come.

Nicholas Ramundo’s capstone “Why Are We in College and Where Can it Lead? Enhancing Student Development

through Community Engagement” aims to understand the multifaceted ideologies of what exactly the purpose of college is. Through a mixed method research approach, Nicholas sought to understand its purpose through the voices of Siena’s population. In his capstone, he argues that community engagement is not an extracurricular activity, but rather a meaningful practice that fulfills the purpose of college and advances the development of students.

Claudia Congemi’s capstone “Studying Different Processes of Development for Women in Indigenous Cultures” looks

at the model of the nonprofit organization Caritas Coroico and how their programs and processes positively affect women of indigenous Bolivian culture. Caritas aims to empower women by giving them the skills and knowledge to become effective leaders within their communities. Once Caritas identifies strong leaders they then pass on their information to further educate both the women and men in the community. During her research,

Claudia observed that the Caritas model positively changes the lives of the women, their families, and their communities.

Lydie Kengne’s capstone “Intercultural Dialogue for a Better Integration” hypothesizes that intercultural dialogue allows individuals of different backgrounds to better understand one another.


“ACE students working toward their Certificate in Community Development must do a Senior Capstone, a research project conducted during their senior year, and present the results of their research at Siena’s annual Academic Excellence Celebration in May.”

Senior Leaders Present their Capstones During the Siena College Academic Excellence CelebrationBy Jazmin Tejada ’15, Bonner Service Leader


The participants' attitude of openness to believe that each individual's cultural perspectives are capable of being understood is often the most difficult step.

Ryan Gonnelly’s capstone “Siena College Civic Engagement Camp: How a Civically Engaged Camp is Beneficial for the Development of High School Students” focuses on Siena College’s Civic Engagement Camp, a camp that ran from the summer of 2010 through 2013, in which high school students from around the Capital Region, as well as individuals from throughout New York State and New England attended. During his research, Ryan examined the development of students who attended the camp by way of a survey that was given to students at the beginning and the end of each week of camp, as well as from personal writings that students took part in each day.

Laura Priest’s capstone “From Passion to Profession: A Personal Reflection on Combining Service and Skill and Discovering a Meaningful Career Path” investigates the ways that service learning and community engagement opportunities can impact career development in undergraduate students. During her research, Laura examined categories and stages of career development in relation to service learning and community engagement opportunities. She used personal reflections regarding experiences with service learning and career development to exemplify the impact. Ultimately, the goal of this capstone is to show how service learning and community engagement can serve as a career development tool for undergraduates of all majors, in many potential occupations. Stephen Jensen’s capstone “Measuring Up: Siena and Campus Engagement” examines a number of different measures of community engagement to determine which measure best fits the needs and programs of Siena College.

The capstone provides a summary of data collected that gives an overall scope of community engagement at Siena. Kevin Schafer’s capstone “Shaking Up the Community: The Development and Institutionalization of a New Civic Engagement Club at Albany High School” looks at the SHAKE (Students Helping to Achieve Kommunity Engagement) program created at Albany High School. SHAKE works with 9th graders to engage critically with the community and serve others. This capstone follows the first year of SHAKE and the institutionalization of it as a program as well as best practices for volunteer management, curriculum development and organization for the next years of SHAKE.

Lexys Martinez’s capstone “Reflecting on the Past to Create a New Future” shares her college experiences as a student and marketing major, Bonner Service Leader, Peter Young Foundation Intern, and study abroad participant. It is through these experiences that she and many other students are able to find their passions and create goals for the future.

Ayesha Ropri’s capstone “Missing Roots of a Burgeoning Tree: The Absence of Passion and Purpose in the Health Professions Curriculum” looks at the skills required to become a source of support in our communities, which are skills quite often forgotten as part of the training that health professionals need. Often, the lack of these roots leads to an underdeveloped tree – one that cannot stand for too long. In her capstone, Ayesha make the recommendation that potential health professionals should find an avenue for their passion that roots them in their career. These students worked very hard all year in preparing for this day. The entire ACE office is extremely proud of their success.


UNDERGRADUATENEWS

UNDERGRADUATENEWS


The Bonner Service Leaders had the opportunity to engage in various “Weekend Service” days during the spring semester. These full days of service offered students the

opportunity to serve a different population and step out of their weekly routines to get to know a new local partner. They focused on branching out and working with new partners to better understand their mission and purpose.

Students began the spring semester by engaging in the first annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, a campus and nation-wide event in January. The mission of this day was to follow in the footsteps of the late MLK, Jr. and serve within our local community. Bonners Service Leaders and students from Siena College, Green Tech High Charter School, Albany High School, North Albany Academy, and Albany Leadership Charter High School for Girls, traveled together to nine organizations in the Albany area. These included: Ronald McDonald House, St. John’s/St. Ann’s Outreach Center, Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless, Capital City Rescue Mission, Trinity Alliance, Capital Area Peer Services, Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center, Mercy Shelter, and St. Charles Shelter. This was a great chance to work with a variety of community partners and to involve more Siena students in our mission at ACE.

In March, students served at the Peter Young Housing, Industries, and Treatment’s Schuyler Inn, where we hosted a Spring Family Day for all of the residents and their children. The day was filled with crafts, games, and a shared meal. Our students enjoyed building friendships with all of the children while getting their faces covered in face paint!

In April, Bonner Service Leaders had the opportunity to serve at one of two community partner sites: Unity House in Troy and the Pride Center of the Capital Region. Students were inspired by these two nonprofits in particular for their very progressive movements and the variety of

services that they offer. We came to find out that Unity House, in their brand new building in Troy, offers locally grown, organic food to their guests in order to improve their health and quality of life. The Pride Center of the Capital Region is the oldest continuously operating LGBT community center in the country. We were fortunate enough to help redesign their art

studio, where students and community members alike have the opportunity to display their artwork. The Pride Center was extremely grateful for the work that Bonners did for them and the community. Our Weekend Service Days proved to be very successful and a unique opportunity to broaden our service horizons to a variety of partners.

By Kelly Finn ’16, Bonner Service Leader

Weekend Service Days Are a Unique Opportunity to Broaden Service Horizons and Impact


Bonner Service Leader, Jessica Guthrie, Receives NOYCE Grant through the Siena College Mathematics Department

Q: What was the grant you received?I received the NOYCE Grant through the Mathematics Department at Siena

College. The NOYCE Grant focuses on exposing Science, Technology,

Engineering, and Math (STEM) college students to classrooms in high-need school districts with the intent to prepare the students for careers as teachers in high-need districts. This summer, I have been given the opportunity to serve as a teacher's aid in a ninth grade algebra classroom at Schenectady High School. I work with the students on preparing for the regents exam and also help after-school with tutoring the students who need more individualized attention with the material. If I decide to continue with the program after this summer (which I intend to do) and if I am accepted to officially receive the grant, I will be given $40,000 dollars toward my last two years at Siena College. After receiving the scholarship, I am required to work in a high-need school district for at least four years after I graduate college.

Q: What role did you play to receive the grant? For example, did you research, write, edit, and/or submit the grant?I received the NOYCE Grant through the Mathematics Department at Siena College. The NOYCE Grant focuses on exposing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) college students to classrooms in high-need school districts with the intent to prepare the students for careers as teachers in high-need districts.

Q: How will the grant be applied?The grant will allow me to engage myself in preparing for my future as a teacher. After finishing the program, I will be certified to teach math and computer science, both subjects in need of well-prepared, experienced teachers. Through my participation in the NOYCE Program at Siena, I will be better equipped to work in a high-need school district after I graduate. For now, I am benefiting from gaining the experience of being in the classroom and building relationships with both teachers and students.

UNDERGRADUATENEWS

Community Corps Member Finds the Value of Interpersonal DevelopmentBy Alley O’Farrell ’16, Community Corps

This year, not only has Community Corps membership grown, but the

relationships between its members have strengthened.

During the ACE Winter Retreat in February, Community Corps members bonded and shared personal stories about their community development work. The focus on interpersonal development and relationship building was a refreshing and unique part of the retreat. For example, one member shared her struggles with a particular student she leads in Girl Scouts. We learned how she handled the situation and how she experienced personal growth.

Listening, reflecting, and sharing each other’s experiences allows for a different kind of growth. Professional growth, like learning how to properly write and present a resume is necessary, but the growth and maturity that comes from interpersonal relationships is also an important part of professional growth. The personal bonds we make can help us in all areas of our lives as students and beyond. This is not to say that our professional trainings and skills are not important. I love hearing that a student created a beautiful resume or witnessing a student effectively plan and coordinate a meeting. For me, being a Community Corps member gives me the opportunity to not only grow these professional skills, but also the personal skills needed to successfully form bonds and relate to others.

UNDERGRADUATENEWS


By Travis Brodbeck ’17, C4C Project Leader, and Pamela Skripak, Assistant Director of ACE

A small but dedicated group of students has worked hard this past year to prepare ACE’s

newest program, Connect4Change, for launch. Known around the office as simply “C4C,” the team has designed a program that bridges the needs of community partners with local businesses and manages all aspects of corporate service days.

After two semesters of business development for the program that

included defining the mission and vision, creating marketing materials, recruiting and training new team members, developing scoping forms and contracts, working with community partners to identify projects, and meeting with local business leaders to assess interest, the team is ready for take off. C4C Project Leaders are clear that everyone will benefit from their work. Travis Brodbeck ‘17 explains it this way, “Community organizations benefit by engaging more volunteers to fulfill their mission and receive assistance with managing all aspects of corporate service days; businesses benefit from increased visibility in the

community, ACE’s connections to over 50 community partners, start to finish project management, tax write offs, perks of sponsorship, and the satisfaction of serving our community; and ACE benefits by creating a program that supports its full range of programs and services. ACE programs benefit our whole community!”

Connect4Change’s next step is to find business sponsors and pilot the program. C4C currently has eight projects “on the shelf ” waiting for a cadre of enthusiastic corporate volunteers. Those projects include preparing and serving meals, playground maintenance, painting picnic benches, assisting in a thrift shop, and helping to move an organization into a new space. C4C is ready to manage these projects and many others for local businesses, including matching the needs and interests of businesses and community partners, all communications, supply purchases, volunteer food and drink, t-shirts for day of service, and on-site volunteer management to ensure a meaningful, satisfying, and beneficial day for all.

For more information about C4C, contact Pam Skripak, Director of Connect4Change at (518) 782-6952.

Undergraduates Prepare to Launch Connect4Change, a Program Designed to Bridge the Needs of the Community with Local Businesses


As NEXT Consulting Services heads for its first year anniversary, it is clear it has already made great strides. NEXT, an

acronym for Nonprofit EXcellence and Transformation, is a campus-based, full-

service consulting firm that focuses exclusively on the business and performance challenges facing nonprofits. Since the start of operations in September 2013, NEXT Fellows, faculty, and administrators have partnered with seven community organizations with the goal to build a vibrant, solution-oriented, and sustainable nonprofit sector across the Capital Region.

NEXT Fellows have engaged in providing a great variety of services and deliverables already. These include: the collection, analysis, and presentation of relevant organizational data used to make strategic and operational decisions; the creation and distribution of surveys about services, reach and impact; a mapping of community services to help clients identify service gaps; the creation and presentation of a step-by-step guide to best practices in shared services and collaborations; the planning and facilitation of a long term strategic planning retreat; marketing and strategic communications planning, and financial analysis.

The diversity of projects, hands-on experience, and co-learning with other students, faculty and community partners means strong academic outcomes for the NEXT Fellows who receive full course credit for their work. Says NEXT Fellow Lauren Whitman, “I’m a sociology major but because of working with people of such diverse backgrounds, I’ve learned a lot about different fields such as

management, marketing, and accounting,” says Lauren. “ It has definitely made me a more well-rounded person.”

An especially exciting development for NEXT in this vein is the approval of a new Community Consulting Certificate that qualifying students will be able to receive upon graduation. In addition to the two semesters of consulting

already required of NEXT Fellows, candidates for this certificate will take a management course being offered this fall in conjunction with Siena’s School of Business entitled “Consulting for Nonprofits.” Additionally, NEXT is building out its leadership development program for those Fellows choosing to stay on for a 3rd or 4th semester and run a client project team themselves.

NEXT is a learning experience that goes beyond short-term impact for both students and partners. “Students have an opportunity to immerse themselves in long-term projects; partnering with community organizations through the design and development of multiple project phases, experiencing the real life challenges of implementation, and discovering the eventual satisfaction of sustainable impact,” says Pamela Skripak, Director of NEXT. “Community partners, in return, benefit from our unwavering focus on their needs.”

By Syed Hussnain ’15, NEXT Fellow

“NEXT Fellows, faculty, and administrators have partnered with seven community organizations with the goal to build a vibrant, solution-oriented, and sustainable nonprofit sector across the Capital Region.”

UNDERGRADUATENEWS

“NEXT, an acronym for Nonprofit EXcellence and Transformation, is a campus-based, full-service consulting firm that focuses exclusively on the business and performance challenges facing nonprofits.”

POSTGRADUATENEWS


Our service term began the day we were sworn in as AmeriCorps*VISTA members at our Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) on

November 22, 2013. The swearing in ceremony was the culminating event that

included appearances from congressmen, CNCS (Corporation of National and Community Service) representatives, and other local government officials. On that day, we took an oath to protect and serve the interests of America while combating poverty. Leading up to that moment, we participated in a 4-day orientation that prepared us for a year of service. We attended a variety of trainings that included topics such as fundraising for your organization, crafting the perfect elevator speech, and having difficult conversations with volunteers. These trainings were led by previous VISTA coordinators, members of the CNCS, and officials from the regional AmeriCorps office. PSO was also a time for us to connect with other VISTA members serving in the Northeast region; I met one of my roommates for the first time at PSO.

Our OSOT (which stands for On-Site Orientation and Training) was local, taking place mostly at Siena, and included tours of a few of the agencies where Siena VISTA Fellows were going to serve. During our OSOT, we had training modules that consisted of professionalism in the workplace, utilizing web tools, and understanding the different hats we must wear as VISTAs. That was the time that I really got to know my cohort. There are sixteen of us in total. While many are from the area, there are a few of us whose hometowns span most of the country. Take my roommate, Rhonda Daniel, for example. She’s from Jackson, Mississippi and is a veteran AmeriCorps member; she served in NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) twice before coming to Albany. I also got a chance to connect with Shawn Duhaney, originally from Poughkeepsie, NY. Shawn and I are now great friends.

While the cohort model did aid in connecting and making friends, the beginning of our term was still challenging. Besides, the general feelings one may have when starting a new job, I felt a bit behind. Everyone at my site was busy getting ready for the holidays, and I was just trying to settle in. Although I cannot speak for the entire group, I can say that many of us had a feeling of uncertainty. Some were still looking for apartments, others were trying to navigate the benefits we receive as VISTA members. Yet, once I started working and connecting with the staff of my office, I felt a little more at home. If you ask my roommate how the experience has been so far, her answer would echo my sentiments: “I feel like I’m finally making home here in Albany, even though I am more than 700 miles away from my family”. Loreily Escobar, a VISTA who has been in Albany for more than four years attending SUNY Albany, has been able to “strengthen the connections [she’s] already made in the community.” Overall, the experience so far has been one of professional and personal growth. It has been challenging and demanding at times, but I honestly must say that it was worth it. I’m curious see what our remaining six months will bring.

By Sasha Miller, Siena AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellow

A New Siena AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows Team Joined ACE in November

The Siena AmeriCorps* VISTA Fellows Program now has 29 members! As a team, they work together to

fight poverty in the Capital Region of New York by fostering campus-community partnerships that focus on capacity-building and sustainability.

Meet the Siena VISTA Team!


POSTGRADUATENEWS

Over 60 Candidates Apply For the Siena VISTA Fellows Program for the 2014-2015 Service Year By Lamara J. Burgess, Coordinate of ACE

In January 2014, the Siena College AmeriCorps* VISTA Fellows Program kicked off their recruitment season for the July 2014-2015 Cohort. Over 60 candidates submitted applications and were pre-screened to move forward in the pool of applicants. After careful consideration, the hiring committee selected about half of those applicants to participate in preliminary interviews. Local candidates interviewed in person, while our national candidates participated in phone and Skype interviews. Following three days of interviews, 15 candidates were extended offers to join our program. Once accepted into the VISTA Fellows Program, candidates participate in speed networking interviews with selected community partner sites based on their interests and skill set to determine their site placement for the year.

To prepare for their service term, VISTA Fellows will attend Pre-Service Orientation (PSO) which provides information about national service requirements, the history of VISTA and the fight against poverty, as well as provide a platform for VISTA members to network with others serving across the country. The VISTA Fellows Program provides additional training the following week in On-Site Orientation Training (OSOT). OSOT is a rigorous week of training that provides information about the Siena and VISTA mission, program infrastructure, the transition into the professional work force, and many other interesting topics. The VISTA Fellows’ first day at their sites will be on August 11, 2014.

The Siena VISTA Fellows Program Welcomes the 2014-2015 Summer Cohort!Sara Balajthy Albany Police Athletic League

Jessica Bender Boys & Girls Club of Albany

Helen Benton Early Care & Learning Council

Leah Godin Community Justice Outreach Center

Shannon HardyAlbany Barn

Bethany FridayCapital District YMCA

Cassandra KromAlbany Public Library

Monique LamarrePride Center

Daniel MaddockDistrict Attorney’s Office

Kassandra MartinchekNEXT Fellows Program

Joshua Ostrer Mediation Matters

Marissa Peck Capital District Community Gardens

Christine RenziAcademic Community Engagement

Alexis ReyesTrinity Alliance

Amanda WilliamsAlbany Leadership Charter High School for Girls

POSTGRADUATENEWS


Working in the nonprofit world does not always make sense. On the surface, one chooses to work for an organization that doesn’t profit from the work they do and

usually they do an enormous amount of work for that zero profit.

But profit is not always the reason one pursues a career, or a dream, or just an interest. Profit is a good thing. It’s a great thing. Profit pays the bills and buys new things, but it does not always make one feel good; and there really is something to be said for feeling good about the work you do daily.

In 2011, I graduated from a great university with a great degree into a not so great country-wide economic situation. One thing led to another, and a year later I was working for one of the largest investment companies in the world. Not necessarily my passion, but pretty cool, right? It was. However, throughout college I was the recipient of a wonderful scholarship from the Corella and Bertram F. Bonner Foundation – a foundation that awards financial aid to students in return for service work. Over four years of working with nonprofit organizations, and being heavily involved with the Bonner Foundation, nearly all of my

views and goals changed: I liked working in the nonprofit world.

In 2013, I found myself living at the poverty line and working for a homeownership center in Albany, NY as an AmeriCorps*VISTA. The experience has been any number of adjectives from transformative to informational, eye-opening to stressful, adventurous, and much more, but overall it has been an exciting opportunity. Sometimes it’s hard to see the impact you have on an organization. Sometimes it stares you right in the face. But every day you can be sure you’re helping someone.

It’s not always easy – and it shouldn’t be – living at the poverty line is hard. But how can one understand a situation like poverty without being in it themselves? Choosing to be an AmeriCorps*VISTA does not make sense on the surface, but the tangible and intangible growth both personally and professionally from dedicating a serious year of life to helping others feels amazing. And there’s something to be said for feeling good about your work, right?

By Jack Kelly, Siena AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellow

AmeriCorps*VISTA: It’s a FeelingSiena AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellow, Jack Kelly, reflects on working in the nonprofit world, living at the poverty line, and the benefits of being an AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellow.

DEEP Service Magazine | Page 18

POSTGRADUATENEWS

VISTA Grant Writing SuccessSiena AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellow, Rebecca Cleere, helps the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany receive the SEFCU Nonprofit Collaboration Challenge Grant for $10,000.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany has been meeting the needs of local children for over 122 years. We offer 5 after-school programs, 9 universal pre-kindergarten classrooms, and a teen drop-in program – all centrally located

within the Albany neighborhoods where kids need us the most.

97% of the children who attend our programs are economically disadvantaged and are seeking a safe place to go during the after-school hours. Serving children ages 4-19, the Boys & Girls Clubs make sure that all attending receive quality programs in the areas of character and leadership development; education and career development; health and life skills; the arts; and sports, fitness and recreation.

My role as a Siena AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellow is to develop the Club’s capacity to serve out the mission of inspiring and enabling all youth, especially those that need us the most, to realize their full potential as caring, productive, and responsible citizens. My responsibilities in this role include participating in fundraising committees, building collaborative partnerships, and grant writing.

I have learned that to be successful in development, you must see all those responsibilities as interrelated and concurrent. I am most proud of helping the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany receive the SEFCU Non-for-Profit Collaboration Challenge Grant for $10,000. This grant epitomizes how connected all aspects of marketing and development are. We were able to develop our relationship with St. Catherine’s Center for Children and create a compelling case for grant funding to allow for several homeless youth that are part of St. Catherine’s program to come, tuition-free, to the Boys & Girls Clubs summer camp.

This integrated approach has also enabled me to attain significant grant funding for things like Pediatric CRP/First Aid courses for our program staff, a Drama Club for our Teen program, SAT/ACT study books and hourly tutors, and the expansion of our Healthy Habits fitness and nutrition program.

By Rebecca Cleere, Siena AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellow

The Siena VISTA Fellows Program supports its members by organizing opportunities that enrich their service year. Take a look at what they have been up to!

January “Holistic Health”The VISTA Fellows participated in sessions about nutrition, meditative fitness, and Zumba.

February “Capturing Your Story”The VISTA Fellows focused on filming in preparation for the ACE Video Showcase. They participated in sessions about storyboarding, film making, and editing.

March/April “VISTA Tool Kit”The VISTA Fellows focused on developing skills like learning how to fundraise and work with donors, manage volunteers, events and projects, and do social media networking.

May “Transitioning to Post-AmeriCorps*VISTA Life”The VISTA Fellows participated in sessions that prepared them for life after VISTA. They focused on resume building, the graduate school application process, continuing service opportunities, and networking.

POSTGRADUATENEWS

An AmeriCorps* VISTA Leader is a second year VISTA who has successfully completed a year of service with our program and is

now serving as a coach and mentor to the team. In March, we held interviews and

recruited two outstanding VISTA Leaders to serve in our July 2014-2015 cohort. Jimmy Bulmer and Morgan Schrankel will lead our team of VISTA Fellows for the duration of their service term.

Jimmy Bulmer has served two years with our program. His first year of service was completed at the Brighter Choice Foundation where he created a system to collect social and demographic data on current high school students and alumni to measure the impact it had on their academic success. He then signed on for a second year of service and joined the Office of Academic Community Engagement to coordinate community partnerships and streamline communication efforts. During his term of service, Jimmy pioneered our first newsletter for community partners, helped organize and conduct the ACE Site Supervisor Orientation, and improved the sustainability of our DEEP Partnership connections.

Morgan Schrankel is currently the Service Learning Coordinator at Green Tech High Charter School for Boys.

Her responsibilities include maintaining and evaluating the service-learning database, creating service-learning opportunities for students, and overseeing the AmeriCorps program. During her service term, Morgan was able to help 65 seniors complete their graduation requirement of 100 community service hours. There has been a 68% increase in the number of seniors who have met requirements to graduate on time. Morgan also assisted with pioneering a new database system to expedite tracking community

service hours, leading to the sustainability of the Service Learning Program.

To prepare for their new roles, VISTA Leaders will attend 4 weeks of orientation held throughout July. A few topics that will be covered include: Handling Difficult Conversations, What Do You Look for in a Leader, and team

building exercises. They will also attend a national VISTA Leader Orientation in September. Our leaders will start their service term on July 27, 2014.

The Office of Academic Community Engagement is excited to welcome Jimmy and Morgan to the ACE team. With their passion for service and background experience, they will help us take this program to the next level!

“VISTA Leaders, in coordination with the project supervisors, expand and build the capacity of the VISTA members they lead. VISTA Leaders play a strategic role in recruitment, retention, and performance.”

Corporation for National and Community Service

“An AmeriCorps* VISTA Leader is a second year VISTA who has successfully completed a year of service with our program and is now serving as a coach and mentor to the team.”

Siena VISTA Welcomes 2014-2015 VISTA LeadersBy Lamara J. Burgess, Coordinator of ACE


POSTGRADUATENEWS

ACE Declares Siena College AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows Appreciation Week and Surprises VISTA Fellows with Tokens of Support By Jimmy Bulmer ’12, Siena AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader

This year, the Siena College AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows Program has 29 postgraduate individuals who decided to dedicate a year of service fighting poverty through indirect service. With the responsibilities of indirect service and an intense workload, most AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows do not have the time to step back and realize the impact that they are having on the community. During the week of April 14-18, ACE and its campus-community partners gave them special thanks by dedicating a week to appreciate all that the VISTAs have accomplished.

Prior to Appreciation Week, the VISTA Fellows’ site supervisors were informed of the initiative so they could partake in the celebration. The gratitude ranged from treating their VISTA Fellow(s) like royalty to whole office celebrations, including cake! Apart from the recognition of community partners, ACE planned activities for each day to thank the VISTA Fellows.

The week started off simple with an electronic thank you card. The next day each VISTA was paid a surprise visit by their VISTA Leaders while at work. They received a special gift gram and delicious cupcake. On Wednesday, the ACE administrators sent out a video where each gave a personal thank you to the team. Then on Thursday, the VISTA team gathered in Washington Park for a picnic with food, laughter, and a competitive soccer match. Finally, the week concluded with a slideshow capturing the week and reminding the VISTA Fellows that this was all for their hard work and dedication to help eliminate poverty.

Even though we have dedicated a week to the VISTA Fellows for all that they do, it is important that they be reminded daily about the impact that they’re having. So if you see a VISTA or someone who is dedicating their time to helping others, remind them that they are appreciated and say thank you. Thanks again Siena College AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows!

DEEPCONNECTIONS


Siena College Women’s Soccer Team player, Taylor Booth ’15, connects athletic opportunities with the DEEP Service Model and makes a meaningful impact on both Albany area youth and soccer team players.

Q: How did the BGCA Soccer Clinics come to existence?

Dr. Mathew Johnson approached me when I went to Bolivia with him on a class trip. He talked about a vision he had involving athletics and DEEP Service. I immediately saw the potential in this and began to talk to him about my own team and the way we could begin to implement this idea. When we got back to school, I

approached my coach, Steve Karbowski, and ran the idea by him. He was very enthusiastic about it and gave a lot of support to the partnership. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany (BGCA) was decided by the ACE office as the first partner to pair with an athletic team and they were very excited about the pilot. Once everyone was on board we began creating curriculum and setting dates.

Q: Who participates in the clinics?

The players that were able to commit to 6 sessions throughout the semester included myself, Andrea Pereira ’17, Tara Sobierajski ’17, Kirby O’Keefe ’16, Allison Clark ’16, Maria Jones ’15, Michelle Yanniello ’16, Kensey Waterman ’16, Kristen Connors ’17, and Ali Lewis ’16.


DEEPCONNECTIONS

Q: Who facilitates the clinics?

I would make the curriculum a week prior to the clinic. Yalitza Negron ’08 and Hannah Waldman ’15, who was the Bonner Service Leader at BGCA, would review the curriculum and make adjustments if they felt it was necessary. At the clinics, I would take the lead in facilitating the drills, however, many of the girls would step up and would explain a drill if they felt comfortable.

Q: What types of activities are held at the soccer clinics?

We tried to make each clinic focus on an athletic element and a skill. For example, if a clinic was focusing on teamwork, we would work on passing. If we were doing leadership, we worked on dribbling. We tailored the clinics to drills and games that highlighted these specific areas. We would normally start off with a group warm up. Then we would look specifically at a skill like dribbling, passing, first touch etc. Then we would play different games that highlighted both areas that the kids enjoyed but allowed them to work on their new skills. Our main focus was development and fun.

Q: What types of skills do the facilitators utilize and/or learn?

The facilitators learned many different things while planning the clinics, as well as facilitating them. It was important to manage the time based on the kids response to the activity. It was even more important to have many drills and games ready in case

kids didn't respond well to a certain activity. The main goal was to make sure the kids were having fun, so if something wasn't working we always had a back up plan to keep the clinic moving. The facilitators needed to show confidence as well as a lot of energy. It was always a team effort to keep the kids focused and under control while having fun at the same time. One person was facilitating but at the same time everyone was working with different kids one-on-one to give more individual attention, which was a huge benefit to the clinic.

Q: How does this experience benefit the participants? What types of skills are they building?

The kids learned about leadership, sportsmanship, communication, healthy eating, and teamwork combined with skills such as passing, dribbling, and first touch. The kids were learning new skills and because of this they had to listen carefully and follow directions. We were people coming in that they didn't know very well. If you watched the kids interactions with us at the beginning of the clinics and then during the last clinics, you can see the trust and respect that was developed between the players and the children. They really had to open up to us for the clinics to be successful. The kids weren't the only ones benefiting from the experience as well, the players had to possess confidence and leadership when they were working with a kid. We as players were also in a different environment and situation that we learned to become very comfortable

in. It was a great bonding experience for us all.

Q: How did this experience benefit the soccer team players?

This was a great experience for not only the BGCA but also for the Siena women's soccer team as well. At the end of the semester, we had the kids come to our last spring game where we provided a big cookout and handed out participation awards and other honors. The kids came to the game cheering our names with signs

in hand! After the game the kids ran around on the turf with us, challenging different players to races and other games asking us to bring out the soccer balls. If you were observing this event, you would see the bond that the players made with the kids and how much fun we all had with each other. The team is very excited for this partnership to continue and develop over the years, as we feel we have started long lasting relationships with these kids that can only get better. We are very appreciative of this opportunity that the ACE office and BGCA has provided us.


DEEPCONNECTIONS


Siena Seniors Complete Internships with Albany Leadership Charter High School for Girls

In the spring semester, two Siena Seniors completed 120-hour internships with the Albany Leadership Charter High School for Girls in Albany. Nathan Van

Vorst and Matt Macutek assisted Social Studies teachers and their students in the development and completion of an

academic project on women’s history. They researched fifty women who impacted the course of world history and then shared their research with students, who went on to write research papers, poems and/or posters about specific women to express what they had learned about their assigned woman. Their efforts culminated in a school-wide Women’s History Gala where the girls presented their work.

Matt and Nathan want to extend their sincere appreciation to Mr. Wagner and Ms. Heilsberg of the ALCH Social Studies Department for their thoughtful mentoring and Pou Mok for coordinating with Siena College to develop this internship opportunity. They expressed:

“This has been an absolutely amazing experience! As I am writing this report, it is the eve of my final day in the school. I am actually upset that I will no longer be able to be at ALCH anymore. Last Friday when I told the girls that tomorrow would be my last day, they also became very upset. They told me that I was not allowed to go; one girl jokingly said that we were fighting. I went into this internship hoping to gain knowledge on charter schools, teaching, and to solidify whether teaching was the right profession for me. After the relationships I have formed from this experience, although they are ending shortly, I know that I am destined for teaching. I have developed such a care for these girls in such a short period of time. Even though they are not directly my students, all I want is for them to succeed, both in and out of school. Mr. Dan Wagner [Chair, Social Studies Department] has already expressed that I am welcome back at any time. So, I am hoping that I will be able to visit the school several more times the rest of their school year, and possibly in the future. I will never forget the lessons that I have learned, about teaching and myself, during my time at Albany Leadership.”

By Dr. Ruth Kassel, Assistant Director of ACE

Partner SpotlightCarmen PampaBy Claudia Congemi ’14, Dake Fellow

The Carmen Pampa/Siena partnership has existed for three years now and is continuously growing! It has become a great relationship for the Siena and Carmen Pampa students and faculty. It epitomizes ACE’s mission of DEEP Service. This summer marks the third year Siena has sent Global Service Interns to Carmen Pampa to learn about education, veterinary skills, agronomy, and ecotourism! Siena students also participate in the college’s social activities such as cultural themed dances where students get together to dance for the community. Last year, Siena’s finest danced to some popular American music! Carmen Pampa students enjoyed watching their new friends bring their own culture to the show. As our partnership continues to grow, Siena and Carmen Pampa discuss how they can expand their relationship. Currently we are working to assist Carmen Pampa in a Women’s Development Program for their female students titled Mujeres Valientes, “Brave Women.” The goal is to get a group of students here on Siena’s Campus and at Carmen Pampa to develop the curriculum together via Skype sessions. The program’s workshops and trainings will be led by students and faculty at Carmen Pampa. Carmen Pampa will be completely involved with developing the program, as well as facilitating. This is something we are really are excited for, given that our partnership is so strong!


DEEPCONNECTIONS

Dake Fellowships Offer Developmental Pathways for Students to Actively Engage in the CommunityBy Claudia Congemi ’14, Dake Fellow

ACE is pleased that for the second year, through the generosity of the Dake Family and Stewart's Shops, a

developmental pathway for students to

actively engage in the community has been kept open. The mission of a Dake Fellowship is to help students identify a community challenge, study that challenge, and spend a year of full-time service post graduation working to address that challenge in a Capital District community. This also includes the opportunity to prepare a community-based research project with the guidance and consultation of ACE and CURCA. This summer, I will be working as the Dake Fellow, with the guidance of Dr. Arindam Mandal in Economics, to implement and analyze a survey to help measure the factors that increase the likelihood of academic success and college

completion at Green Tech High Charter School for Boys. This survey began as a Community Engaged Teaching and Learning (CETL) Economics class in the spring of 2013.

Dr. Mandal, my classmates, and I helped develop a survey designed to measure the variables involved in academic success. This survey was recently implemented in its first round of testing this May. This summer, I will start to analyze and interpret this data for Green Tech and work to add elements the analysis such as an index to help create a better picture of each student's strengths and weaknesses.

It is our hope that this survey will be successful at identifying individual factors that help and hinder students academic success, and will lead to the development of holistic ways to work with students at Green Tech. Perhaps some day the results can be used to help similar schools and community partners.

Did You Know?The Office of Academic Community Engagement proudly partners with the Siena College Research Institute (SRI), a vital on-campus resource that works closely with ACE community partners on community-based research questions that help solve important social issues. SRI also conducts the National Assessment of Service and Community Engagement as well as the Community Needs Assessment Study.

“The mission of a Dake Fellowship is to help students identify a community challenge, study that challenge, and spend a year of full-time service post graduation working to address that challenge in a Capital District community.”

MEASURING ENGAGEMENT

NASCE Blog: Scan the QR code with your smartphone to access the blog post Telling the Story Behind the Hours: Assessing Student Community Engagement Beyond Tracking Hours.

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DEEPCONNECTIONS


“Beforehand [he] was not so willing to take the time out to help others. Now that [he] has seen the faces [of the recipients of his service work], he is a lot more grateful for doing this program”.- Morgan Shrankel about Anthony Wallace

This past year, I have had the pleasure of coordinating the TeenCorps Program at Green Tech High Charter School. Four high school seniors participated in this very intensive AmeriCorps program. The ACE office at Siena College provides the administrative support for the success of this program, although the majority of the work is done by the students. Upon completing a 300 hour community service commitment, each student will receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to assist with future college expenses.

TeenCorps students at Green Tech serve as mentors to their peers. From leading students at service projects, to creating projects that benefit Green Tech as a whole, the TeenCorps students are always busy. This past year, the students have served at Halloween Extravaganza, A Taste of Albany, Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany, Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless Drop-in Center, Equinox’s Annual Thanksgiving Dinner, as well as many other events and opportunities. In addition to serving 8-10 hours a week in the community, participants also attend weekly training and enrichment meetings. Training topics range from professionalism, resume writing, budgeting, and reflection. Some incorporate activities while others are discussion focused.

It has been a real pleasure to coordinate and run these meetings. I have had the opportunity to witness these students grow from boys to young men. There have been many highlights throughout the year. I was very proud of my students as they represented Green Tech at the Siena College Community Forum 2.0, a community wide event where participants discuss challenges youth face today. Although they did not quite understand the purpose of the event going in, they were very eager to bring information that they learned back to share with their peers. It is little moments like these that have made this program unlike anything else I have ever been a part of.

For all of them, this opportunity has just been the beginning. Na-Shawn Joseph’s plan after graduation “is to share [his] information to the community and start more of a community clean up”. Anthony Wallace admits that “beforehand [he] was not so willing to take the time out to help others. Now that [he] has seen the faces [of the recipients of his service work], he is a lot more grateful for doing this program”. All four students will be attending a four-year college or university this fall.

Green Tech TeenCorps: A Growing ExperienceBy Morgan Shrankel, Siena AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellow


DEEPCONNECTIONS

Siena College is featured as an institution of higher education practicing community engagement in sustained ways.

Drawing on their connections to more than two decades' experience in the Bonner network, Deepening Community Engagement in Higher Education: Forging New Pathways (Palgrave Macmillan, September 2013) features chapters by more than a dozen institutions of higher education that practice community engagement in sustained ways. The volume features strategies to promote community engaged learning that is deep, pervasive, integrated, and developmental, qualities recognized by the Carnegie Classification. Respected scholars and practitioners present proven models for student leadership and development, sustained partnerships, faculty engagement, institutionalization of campus centers, and changes to teaching and learning. According to Brian Rosenberg, President of Macalester College, "The continued vitality of American higher education will depend in part on the development of strong partnerships with the communities and organizations beyond the boundaries of any campus. This volume is a wonderful guide to how such partnerships are being developed now and how they might be developed even more successfully in the future.

This article was taken from “A Civic Sense”, an occasional spotlight from the Corella & Bertram F. Bonner Foundation for leaders of community engaged learning.

A “Civic Sense” AmeriCorps Members Celebrate AmeriCorps Week by Showing Commitment to ServiceBy Adriana Battle, Siena AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellow

This March, the AmeriCorps members in Siena ACE’s programs celebrated National Service Week by participating in a weeklong campaign with many activities that showcased our commitment to service. The purpose of this week was not only to celebrate our love for service but also to highlight all the hard work AmeriCorps members have done this past year.

This year’s National Service Week took place March 24t with many ways to get involved. The week kicked off with a day of direct service, giving participants the chance to experience a more hands on approach to volunteerism. Participants could choose between a few opportunities including helping with children’s activities at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany, sorting food donations at the Regional Food Bank, or removing brush and debris at the Albany Shaker Historical Site.

On Tuesday, we were able to attend an Open Mic Night at one of the Siena VISTA Fellow’s service sites, Albany Barn. The Open Mic Night featured talent from all over the Capital Region including poets, singers, guitarists, and hilarious comedians. The night gave us the chance to relax and get a bit creative while supporting a great organization.

Our grand finale took place right on Siena’s campus in the President’s Dining room. After a fun filled week we all came together to sit down for a nice meal and reflect upon what we learned and share highlights from the week. We also had fun learning proper dining etiquette along the way and, paired with our nice attire, we got to feel a bit fancy for a while.

All in all, the week turned out to be a very fun and relaxing experience. It was a great way to step back from what can be a very hectic and busy environment. It is easy to forget about the impact we are having on our communities and I believe we all felt a sense of renewed commitment to our service sites and our projects. The recognition an appreciation we received in that week reminded us all that what we are doing is valued and appreciated, and that appreciation goes a long way!

ALUMNISPOTLIGHT


Q: What years were you a part of the Office of ACE?

I served as a VISTA member with the Siena College Research Institute (SRI) from 2009-2010. As a VISTA Member with SRI, I helped pilot the National Assessment of Service and Civic Engagement, worked with local nonprofits to develop community feedback mechanisms, and worked with other VISTA members on assessment measures. After my year as a VISTA, I joined the ACE office as VISTA Leader. During my Leader term, my primary role was member support and training; however, I did connect with new community partners and other VISTA members serving in the region.

Q: What were your next steps after your engagement with ACE?

After working with ACE, I joined the Bonner Center at Carson-Newman University as Bonner Scholars Coordinator. For three years, I worked with Carson-Newman students to develop long-term sustainable partnerships with local community organizations. During

my time there, I also partnered with the Corporation for National and Community Service to develop the Carson-Newman VISTA Fellows program, modeled on the Siena College VISTA Program.

Q: We heard you recently landed a new job! What will your new position be?

I have recently accepted a position with the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) as State Program Specialist in Reno, Nevada. I will be working with AmeriCorps*VISTA and Senior Corps programs, simply on the other side. Primarily, I will be working with organizations in program development and grant compliance monitoring throughout the State of Nevada.

Q: How did your experience with ACE impact your career and life?

I came to ACE after a bohemian holiday in Europe. While I had volunteered and worked with grassroots organizers throughout high school and college, I was woefully out of practice. ACE offered me the opportunity to

connect with individual organizations and the field at large again. Those connections reminded me of the urgency and joy in fighting poverty and working to make our world more just, peaceable, and humane. It was clear after my time at Siena and with ACE that this is no longer a job but a lifelong passion and a career.

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to a person just starting out in their career?

Looking back, it is so easy to recognize the points when I learned something new (probably because I made a mistake), or I gained some skill (probably because I made a mistake), or my worldview was shifted ever so slightly (probably because I made a mistake). Yet, I know that in the moment I had no foresight or knowledge that those moments would shape who I am and what I want to change in the world. Trust the process, learn as much as you can, gain skills when you can, and don't be afraid to challenge yourself.

Former Siena College AmeriCorps*VISTA Leader Accepts Position with the Corporation for National & Community Service as State Program SpecialistWe caught up with former Siena VISTA Leader, Patrick Gruber, to learn more about his new job as well as the developmental opportunities that paved the path to his successful career.

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ALUMNISPOTLIGHT

ACE Alumni NotesAmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows

Erika Carey (2011-2012) is moving to North Carolina in July to start her professional career at Appalachian State University as Assistant Director/Career Counselor for the Career Development Center.

Brian Costello (2011-2012) will be starting graduate school in the fall 2014 semester to complete a degree in computer science at the State University of New York (SUNY), Albany.

Carly Fortin (2009-2011) recently graduated from nursing school and will be sitting for her boards July 2014. She recently got married on May 31, 2014.

Ruchi Gala (2012-2013) is currently pursuing her doctorate in physical therapy, with a focus in pediatrics. She just completed her science pre-requisites at Dutchess Community College and will be applying to physical therapy programs this coming July and starting school in 2015. She is also volunteering at Vassar Brother's Hospital in the physical therapy department and is in the process of expanding her venture Majestic Mehndi.

Melanie Iannacone (VISTA 2012-2013, Bonner 2008-2012) recently accepted a new position and is planning to be a teacher in the Uncommon Schools next year.

Jennifer Hunt (2009-2013) is currently working as a marketing and communications consultant. In the fall, she will be starting graduate school at the University of Southern California (USC) to obtain a master’s degree in communication management. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband David.

Victoria Malaney (2010-2012) recently started working at the Teachers College, Columbia University.

Tanya Marie (2010-2011) recently completed her master’s program in community mental health at the College of Saint Rose.

Pou Mok (2012-2013) now works for his former AmeriCorps*VISTA site, Albany Leadership Charter High School for Girls, and is pursuing an MPA degree at Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy. This summer he will be interning at the U.S. Census Bureau in Suitland, Maryland.

Yalitza Negron ’08 (2008-2010) was promoted to the position of Associate Director at ACE. She was recently honored by Rising Latino Stars: 40 Under 40 for her dedication to community engagement and development.

Frankie Sylvester (2009-2010) graduated from Syracuse University College of Law and the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry in 2013. He is currently living in Washington, DC

and working for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the Office of Wastewater Management.

Samantha Tymchyn (2009-2011) recently accepted the position of Residence Director with Fordham University, Lincoln Center Campus.

Bonner Service Leaders

Claudia Congemi (2010-2014) accepted a position as a Dake Fellow through the Office of Academic Community Engagement. She will spend a year of full-time service post graduation working to address community challenges in the Capital District.

Laura Priest (2010-2014) is attending Merrimack College to obtain a master’s degree in higher education administration. She is in the Merrimack College Honor’s Program and received a graduate fellowship to attend school.

Nicholas Ramundo (2011-2014) accepted an AmeriCorps*VISTA position through the Maryland/DC Campus Compact Program. He will be serving at the University of Maryland as a service learning and school-family connections coordinator with the Shriver Center.

April Risley (2008-2012) was hired as Coordinator ACE in 2012 and continues to coordinate various ACE programs. She recently got married to Edward Backus on May 31, 2014!

Want to see your news in the next Alumni Notes? Email your news to [email protected] and we will include it in the

next issue of the DEEP Service Magazine!

In the Next Issue

Join Us on WVCR 88.3 The Saint “Change Makers”Find out about current local, national, and global community development work on “Change Makers”! It airs every Saturday on WVCR 88.3 The Saint at 10:30 a.m or you can subscribe to our podcasts on iTunes U! If you are a change maker in the community, we want you as a guest on our show! Scan the QR code to get started!

ACE Gear UpOver the summer, ACE will gear up for new and returning community engagement volunteers. We will hold a series of orientations to welcome them to Siena College and help them prepare for meaningful community development work.

Global Service Internship SpotlightOur global service internship students will travel to Unidad Académica Campensina-Carmen Pampa in Bolivia. We will highlight their experiences and find out what impact the opportunity had on them.

Fall Semester HighlightsAs the fall semester begins, our community engagement volunteers will partake in a number of events and opportunities that will enhance their personal and professional growth.

Halloween ExtravaganzaEvery year Siena College ACE hosts the Halloween Extravaganza, a family friendly afternoon of Halloween inspired activities. The proceeds raised during the event go to one of ACE’s community partners.

Siena College Academic Community Engagement News Magazine

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Transcript of Siena College Academic Community Engagement News Magazine