Center for Community Engagement and

Annual Report 2012-13 Service Learning (CCESL)

CCESL’s team of Civic Leaders started Geneva’s Superintendent Trina Newton recipro- the year off at a low-ropes course near Keuka cated the enthusiasm of an academic year kick- Lake, where they had the opportunity to get to off by hosting our new Provost Titi Ufomata at the know each other and received a copy of Alan inaugural Geneva City School District convocation. Khazei’s “Big Citizenship - How Pragmatic Ideal- In the spirit of our commitment to local youth, and for the second consecutive year, we hosted 300 ism Can Bring Out the Best in America.” Each member of this vibrant cohort of students serve sixth- and ninth- graders enrolled in the Geneva as leaders in community initiatives, and they public schools. We also officially launched the were thrilled to hear from Khazei when he spoke Geneva 2020 initiative. President Mark D. Gearan convened more than 100 community leaders in the on campus as a President’s Forum Speaker in Geneva Lakefront Playground build. October. Khazei’s concept of “pragmatic ideal- Vandervort Room around the theme of collective ism” came alive this fall when the community, with lead support impact, where we committed as a community to address chal- from the Colleges, built the Geneva Community Lakefront Play- lenges that face children relating to literacy and career and college ground. Though the time-lapsed build shows most of the play- readiness, so that we may positively impact the graduation rate. ground construction occurred in less than 12 hours, the leader- Our team of Civic Leaders works individually and collectively ship team had been working collaboratively for more than a year with community leaders, these partnerships serve as powerful to determine a central and accessible location, involve children in examples of what can we can accomplish when we clearly identify the design, fundraise, and engage hundreds of volunteers. needs, build upon strengths, and strategically collaborate. To- The theme of school success was another strong focus this gether, our students spent nearly 80,000 hours and helped raise year, exemplified when leaders from the Geneva City School Dis- $188,000 to support the mission and capacity of local, national, trict attended the HWS Convocation. and international non-profit agencies. The construction of the Together we heard Charles Best’s inspiring story of found- Geneva Community Lakefront Playground and Geneva 2020 ing donorschoose.org. Best established his organization as a launch are reminders to our students that although their time in social studies teacher in the Bronx in 2000 when he realized that Geneva is relatively short, those four years are formative, where donors, if asked, would contribute to specifically identified needs they build citizenship skills and take steps closer to leading lives in a classroom. of consequence.

Compass Step 1 Community Service

The 8th annual community barn sale from Residential Education, for raises $6,346 and finds new uses for their attention to the goals of thousands of items. the Community Barn Sale during HWS collective efforts helped to divert the “move-out” process and for usable items from the landfill, promoted a the continued partnership of culture of sustainability, and raised funds the outstanding Buildings and for the United Way of Ontario County. This Grounds staff, Campus Safety, year, we raised a total of $6,346, which was Sodexo, United Way staff, HWS Executive Director of Ontario County United Way Kari Buch assists a an $884 increase from last year, bringing Sustainability Manager James happy customer at the barn sale. the grand total to $39,608 since the Landi, and Civic Leader Emily Vollo ’14 for program began. The Canandaigua National her leadership as the Community Barn Sale performances including children’s and Bank doubled the amount raised as part of student coordinator. adult choirs, instrumentals and hip-hop its Challenge for Children campaign so the A collaborative effort between the and Latin dance. In total, more than 80 actual total was $12,692! Geneva City School District and Hobart and local groups and clubs were represented We’d like to especially recognize the William Smith Colleges, the sixth annual through music, games, performances and outstanding Resident Assistants and staff Festival of Nations featured diverse musical presentations. Attendees were introduced to Community Service continued

As part of the “13 Days to Graduation” service project, Provost and Dean of Faculty Titi Ufomata, Assistant HWS seniors place bricks at the Geneva Community Athletic Director and William Smith Field Hockey Lakefront Playground, completing construction Coach Sally Scatton and William Smith Field Hockey Students enjoyed Festival of Nations on April 20 at that began in fall 2011. The bricks were donated by Assistant Coach Sophie Dennis ’07 joined other the Geneva Middle and High School. members of the greater Geneva community. members of the HWS community in creating lunches for the Community Lunch Program at the United Methodist Church.

Thursdays in October and February as well, and over 40 students and staff contributed 115 hours to the Community Lunch Program.

the traditions, music, art and foods of the civic engagement. HWS students Richie project, community members painted at Asian, Caribbean, French, Italian, Jewish, Bonney ’14, Aboubacar Okeke-Diagne ’15, the Geneva Middle School and Geneva Muslim, Russian, and South Asian cultures, Olivia Dudo ’15 and Emily Jaeckel ’15 led High School, carved pumpkins for Ontario among others. the two ventures – one to aid Habitat for Pathways’ Great Pumpkin Walk, and According to the Finger Lakes Times, Humanity and the other, referred to as performed yard cleanup and maintenance “The extraordinary flavors, scents, colors “Geneva 101,” aimed at introducing new at Happiness House, Lochland School, Inc., and information paled in comparison to students to the many service projects HWS Smith Opera House, St. Peter’s Episcopal the common feeling of acceptance and students regularly take part in throughout Church, Temple Beth El and Trinity Church. appreciation. Strangers walking in close Geneva. The Geneva Community Lakefront proximity to one another due to the volume Habitat for Humanity has partnered Playground was part of a collaborative of guests smiled, shook hands and offered with HWS during Orientation in years past; project between Hobart and William Smith warm greetings.” this year, work with Habitat entailed building Colleges and the City of Geneva through the a home on Hawkins Avenue to help a family KaBOOM! organization. KaBOOM! founder Now in its 30th year, the Community Lunch in need. Participating students comprised and CEO Darell Hammond was on campus Program, coordinated by Catholic Charities about half of the pre-orientation service to deliver the Convocation address to begin of the Finger Lakes, has been a Geneva group and lived together in the Community the 2011-2012 academic year. Recently, institution serving meals every weekday. Service theme house on campus. Geneva was one of only two cities in all of HWS students, faculty and staff volunteered New York State to be named a “2012 Playful with the program and contributed in Day of Service, City USA” community by KaBOOM! and other ways throughout the year. CCESL Playground Built in One Day! received a $20,000 grant via Let’s Play, a coordinated volunteers Thursdays in “No one’s done what Geneva’s done. We community partnership led by Dr. Pepper October and February as well, and more worked together in a collaborative spirit, Snapple Group. than 40 students and staff contributed 115 Geneva did this together,” said President hours to the Lunch Program. Mark D. Gearan “It’s what this community is Dansoko awarded “Drum Major for becoming known for.” Service” award at MLK Jr. Day of Service Incoming students from the Classes of Members of the HWS community took In conjunction with the Day of Service, more 2016 transitioned to college part in the construction of the Geneva than 150 students fanned out to 10 sites life…by building a home for Community Lakefront Playground as part throughout the Geneva area to start the new a Geneva family of Day of Service on Saturday, Oct. 20. semester by making a positive impact on During the week prior to They teamed up with volunteers throughout the community in the spirit of Dr. Martin Orientation, members of the Geneva for Build Day, among them the Luther King Jr. Named for the words used by incoming Classes of 2016 had Geneva High School Interact group who King in his “Drum Major Instinct” speech, the opportunity to take part eagerly signed up to help create a safe place the MLK Drum Major for Service Award in two Pre-Orientation Adventure Program to play for younger children. was presented to Aminata Dansoko ’15 (POAP) projects centered on the theme of This year, in addition to the playground during the weekend for her dedication and

2 CCESL Annual Report 2012-13 3 Eliot Kime ’14 worked on a Habitat for Humanity house as part of the Pre-Orientation Adventure Program.

On Aug. 25, 724 first year and upper class Orientation Mentors fanned out to 30 sites across Geneva and the Finger Lakes as part of the Orientation program. President Mark D. Gearan welcomed students, encouraging them to think of Geneva as their home for the next four years.

Aminata Dansoko ’15, Ali McKnight ’15 and Courtney Aquadro ’14 helped children build scarecrows at the Day for Kids event at the Geneva Boys & Girls Club in October.

commitment to service. “Service is something I love to do. It is my way of getting back,” says Dansoko. “I believe that service makes one understand the world in multiple perspectives. I love helping others, it brings me joy.” Hobart Statesmen arrived early and stayed late, and are pictured here moving the “Mobius Climber.” They were among the 200 volunteers who built the Geneva Community Lakefront Playground on Oct. 20, 2012.

ONTARIO COUNTY

Barn Sale raises a total of $6,346, which was an $884 increase from last year, bringing the grand total to $39,608 since the program Geneva Community Lakefront Playground Dedication. Pictured (l-r) Matt Horn - City Manager, Jeremy Wattles - CCESL assitant director, Belinda Venuti – began. Geneva Community Projects, President Mark Gearan, Katie Flowers – CCESL director, Steve Wyckoff – Wyckoff Family Foundation.

2 CCESL Annual Report 2012-13 3 Compass Step 2 Civic Engagement

Two or three times a week, 118 students participate in the federally supported America Reads program which sends HWS students to elementary schools for one-on-one tutoring in Geneva/Waterloo.

More than 160 sixth-graders were welcomed by President Mark D. Gearan on Tuesday, Oct. 9 during a Geneva 2020 initiative.

CCESL celebrates America Reads and America Counts Tutors of the Month Two or three times a week, the America Reads program sends HWS students to elementary schools for one-on-one tutoring in Geneva/Waterloo. The tutors offer their help to improve each respective child’s reading and comprehension skills. There are 118 tutors and one tutor at each site is honored each semester as going “above and beyond.” Please join us in congratulating the following honorees:

Sophie Halter ’16 America Reads at Lafayette Fall 2012 Fatima Saravia ’16 America Reads at West. St. Fall 2012 Molly Naef ’16 America Reads at Trinity Fall 2012 Connor Widenmeyer ’14 America Reads at Trinity Fall 2012 Emma Berntheizel ’15 America Reads at St. Stephen’s Fall 2012 By playing the game, “Why You Win When You Regulate Your Emotions,” sixth graders Inty Ramirez ’14 America Reads at Trinity Fall 2012 learned the power of choosing their own Melissa Webster ’13 America Reads at Lafayette Fall 2012 state of mind, regulating their emotions Camille Dupuis ’14 America Reads at St. Stephen’s Spring 2013 and obtaining the best possible outcome when presented with problematic situations. Kelly Craig ’16 America Reads at St. Stephen’s Spring 2013 Afterward, students had a chance to discuss Katherine Coughlin ’16 America Reads at Lafayette Spring 2013 their reactions to the game with HWS Hilary Dreyer ’13 America Reads at West St. Spring 2013 students currently enrolled in the course. Sam Zuckerman ’16 America Reads at West St. Spring 2013 Joy Gitter ’16 America Reads at Lafayette Spring 2013 Mariah Ward ’16 America Reads at Trinity Spring 2013 Rachel Newcomb ’15 America Reads at Trinity Spring 2013 Abigail Henderson ’16 America Counts at GMS Fall 2012 Bridget Callea ’16 America Counts at GMS Fall 2012 Robert Harris ’14 America Counts at GMS Spring 2013

Sixth-Graders Visited Campus Middle School students from the Geneva City School District got a glimpse at life in Ninth-Graders Visited Campus college during a Geneva 2020 initiative that invited the sixth-graders to explore the daily Ninth-graders from Geneva High School bustle in a day-long visit to campus. In an effort to encourage students to pursue higher visited Hobart and William Smith Colleges education and introduce the opportunities provided by the Colleges, more than 160 on Monday, March 25, and took part in sixth-graders were welcomed by President Mark D. Gearan on Tuesday, Oct. 9. a program that provided an informative The sixth-graders also heard from undergraduates in Instructor Janet VanLone’s look at college life, as part of the Geneva “Personal Empowerment” class. The program was designed to increase skills related to 2020 initiative. Seminars were held on emotional intelligence, such as self-awareness, resiliency, and relationship management. admissions, financial aid and study abroad,

4 CCESL Annual Report 2012-13 5 and firsthand accounts and tours enabled the ninth-graders to see college through the eyes of college students. “This is the second year that Geneva freshmen have been fortunate enough to visit the Hobart and William Smith campus. It provides our students the opportunity to visit a prestigious college and gives them a sense of what is possible through hard work,” said Michael Gorton, guidance counselor at Geneva High School. “The discussion with admissions reinforces the emphasis that the Geneva City School District places on rigor and high standards. The HWS staff does a tremendous job of planning a fun, educational day for our students that Students catch their breath on the Alternative Spring Break trip to New Jersey. they truly benefit from.”

Alternative Spring Break an HWS Success From Hurricane Sandy relief efforts to service projects in Jamaica, HWS students gave back 1,230 hours to communities around the country and beyond on Alternative Spring Break (ASB) trips this year. The highlights of their recent service are distinctive and diverse, with students gaining important insights about community engagement, service learning and personal development. Professor of Sociology Jim Spates, 2nd from right, led the Alternative Spring Break trip A member of the Hurricane Sandy to New York City in the Bronx. relief project, New Jersey-native Benjamin Vaccaro ’15 was one of 41 students who participated on an ASB trip this semester. For Vaccaro, the Hurricane Sandy relief Professor of Sociology Jim Spates led efforts marked an unforgettable project, one the ASB trip to New York City in the Bronx, that was close to home. Associate Professor of English Laurence “Participating in the relief project was Erussard led the trip to Jamaica, Assistant both a humbling and emotional experience, Director of CCESL Jeremy Wattles led the not just because of the vast devastation, North Carolina experience, and Sarah Meyer, but because I was born, raised and live in community outreach coordinator for the HWS New Jersey,” says Vaccaro. With his friends’ Finger Lakes Institute led the trip in Ithaca. homes on the Jersey Shore and in Long Director of CCESL Katie Flowers, Beach Island, Vaccaro says being back who was the team leader of the Lyons in New Jersey amid the devastation was experience, said “we are very glad to striking, but certainly a challenge he wanted have been able to respond to each of the Students Interview 99-year-old Genevan to tackle through volunteer work. respective needs in the communities that as part of SJSP101 Course The Hurricane Sandy relief project was hosted us, and in light of the HWS response For three Hobart seniors, a community- one of six of the Colleges’ ASB experiences. to the Hurricane Sandy relief efforts, an based research course became a very The other trips included working at an immediate need was met. All of the ASB personal learning experience. Rashaun elementary school in rural North Carolina, experiences helped to cultivate the civic Moore ’13, Thomas Michaud ’13 and Nick a community-based service project in interests of our students who forged strong Alexander ’13 interviewed 99-year-old Jamaica, volunteering with an afterschool relationships with each other and their host Geneva resident John Kenney for their program in the Bronx, with the Finger Lakes communities throughout the week.” social justice studies course. The interview Institute working at a sustainable farm in was part of a class project to discuss Ithaca, N.Y., and at a Rural and Migrant race relations in Geneva, “One Great City Ministry in Lyons, N.Y. Storytelling Project: Stories About Race.” The students gained a deeper understanding

4 CCESL Annual Report 2012-13 5 Compass Step 3 Civic Leadership

Of the 80,000 hours generated 19 professors taught 21 courses by HWS students during this which is 9% of our faculty, which academic year, 7,000 were is 2% above the national average completed by 350 students who calculated by Campus Compact. were enrolled in 19 service- learning courses. of the history of Geneva as Kenney and engage potential GHS alums as described an integrated neighborhood class visitors, internship hosts, etc. GHS growing up in the Depression Era. “You graduates are encouraged to e-mail HWS Joins “Turbo Vote” initiative and have preconceived notions of people and [email protected] if they registers 1/3 of student body race relations,” says Michaud, “but this are interested in additional information. As the presidential and vice presidential project really opens your eyes.” Archived CBR projects can be accessed debates immersed the country in heated After talking to Kenney about race here: http://www.hws.edu/academics/ discussion, the relations over the past decades, Alexander service/CBR_archive.aspx leaders of HWS says, “We can see what has changed over Votes sought to time, and what we can still change.” create a similar The raw footage from all of the students’ level of civic interviews are saved and archived by the engagement on Human Rights Commission as part of its campus. local and oral history of Geneva. Edited On Friday, versions of the interviews were showcased Oct. 26, a at the Center for Community Engagement congressional debate between the two and Service Learning’s annual Community candidates running for the 23rd District of Engaged Scholarship Forum on May 7. New York was held in Albright Auditorium. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Thomas Reed, a Civic Leader reflection: “I thought the Republican from Corning, was running meeting and discussion about national for reelection against Nate Shinagawa, a poverty, facilitated by Laurie Konwinski Democrat and member of the Tompkins Alan Khazei from Catholic Charities, was eye opening. County legislature. Professor of Political I liked the follow-up meeting were we Science Iva Deutchman moderated the followed up on this topic, specifically with President’s Forum event. what was happening locally. I watched Speaker Series “Having esteemed members of the President Obama’s State of the Union Continuing its political electoral process convene at Address and noticed how he mentioned long tradition of HWS gives us the rare opportunity to hear global poverty and the need for a higher excellence, the candidates unfiltered, void of media spin,” minimum wage, the elements from the two annual President’s says David Luna ’14, co-president of HWS meetings really informed me on this issue,” Forum Speaker Votes who helped organize the debate. “In —Hobart first-year student Series brought to campus prominent social a presidential election year, what better entrepreneur Alan Khazei. On Thursday, way to discuss the stakes than with local Oct. 11, co-founder of City Year and candidates who are both towing their founder of Be the Change, Inc., Khazei respective party lines?” Civic Leadership talked about his work pioneering the ways With the upcoming presidential As one of the many Community Based in which citizens can enact change in their election, Luna has seen the political Research (CBR) projects completed this country and communities. A cohort of climate of the Colleges transform. Luna year by HWS students, Lucy Hoagland ’13, 25 civic leaders read Khazei’s book “Big and co-president of HWS Votes Olivia collaborated with Geneva High School Citizenship: How Pragmatic Idealism Can Lowenberg ’15 assisted more than 730 Social Worker Susan McGowan on a Bring About the Best in America,” and had students to register to vote or obtain GHS Alumni Outreach and Engagement the opportunity to meet with Khazei during a ballot through TurboVote. Repsonse effort. Through a marketing campaign, his campus visit. to the TurboVote partnership was so Hoagland sought information from GHS overwhelming that HWS was the first school alums to celebrate alum accomplishments of the 56-partnered schools nationwide

6 CCESL Annual Report 2012-13 7 80% of the 56 student respondents to the Key 85% of the 25 Civic Leaders attributed their Performance Indicators survey, noted that they role in CCESL as cultivating an “interest in and were able to relate community based learning understanding of challenges and opportunities experiences to course readings and concepts that face Geneva.” 92% felt that they had a in written reflections. —(developed with Teagle positive impact on their community partner’s funding) mission and goals.

to reach 25 percent of its student body. Habitat’s first volunteer, Clive Rainey. Geneva 2020 through their dedication Today, the Colleges are first in percentage The Colleges’ chapter of Habitat for to local youth, which is a theme to the of enrollment, with 35 percent of the Humanity hosted the annual Mr. Hobart 900 collective hours they dedicated to student body registered through TurboVote. competition and the inaugural “Powder the Geneva School District and the Boys Puff” tournament to raise funds for the and Girls Club of Geneva,” Director of next Habitat for Humanity build effort in Community Engagement and Service Geneva. Learning Katie Flowers said.

Summer Academy program For a ninth year, the HWS Summer Academy welcomed to campus some of Geneva High School’s brightest students for a two-week intensive learning program. From June 24 to July 5, promising students of color from the community experienced life, work and the excitement Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter of Hobart and William Smith. Leaders attend National Conference “There are some students that are Three William Smith students attended already doing well when they come to Habitat for Humanity’s Youth Leadership Newman Civic Fellow the academy, whose parents have been Conference 2012, the theme of which was Hilary Gove ’14 has been named a 2013 to college and they are definitely college “Building on 25 Years.” Pamela Eck ’15, Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact, track,” says Professor of Chemistry Walter Taylor Milbrath ’14 and Emily Vollo ’14, which honors student leaders who have Bowyer. “Then there are others who think who are all integral members of the Habitat worked to find solutions for challenges college would be nice, but ask: is it really chapter at the Colleges, traveled to Atlanta, facing their communities. On campus realistic? When they see their peers just Ga., to participate in the celebration and and in the Geneva community, Gove has assuming that one goes to college - there’s conference in hopes of learning techniques dedicated her time building playgrounds, really a big boost there.” and tactics to bring home to the campus. tutoring local children, and volunteering at Megan Soule ’14 interned with the The event spanned the first weekend food pantries. Gove, a public policy major academy and worked to help pull together of November and included workshops, with minors in art history and women’s a diverse curriculum, reflective of all the presentations of awards, and a keynote by studies, is one of just 181 students from Colleges have to offer. Soule served as 36 states to be named a fellow. a civic leader for Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning during Third Annual Summer of Service the fall 2012 semester, and it was during Now in its third year, Summer of her work there that she learned about the Service paired HWS students with local Geneva 2020 initiative, which seeks to organizations where they performed at further the education of children in the least 300 hours each of community service community. Soule created a video which over the course of the summer. can be viewed on YouTube by searching Jenna Klicker ’14, Jessica Lynn ’14 “HWS Summer Academy.” and Nicole O’Connell ’16 spent the summer volunteering at local organizations and Nicolas Stewart ’15 was crowned the winner of this year’s Mr. Hobart competition, which benefited working in the CCESL office, contributing Habitat for Humanity of Ontario County. “in significant ways to the goals of

6 CCESL Annual Report 2012-13 7 Compass Step 4 Engaged Citizenship

Close to 200 HWS graduates have joined the Peace Corps since its founding and 12 are currently serving as volunteers.

More than 30 HWS students have been accepted into the Teach for America program.

Peace Corps Acting Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet

Peace Corps Acting Director Peace Corps’ mission and the Colleges’. Joubert encourages HWS students to consider “Make a difference, take a risk, touch lives the Peace Corps and lives will touch you.” Students gathered to hear Peace Corps Acting Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet and a panel of four returned Peace Corps volunteers. The Colleges have a strong relationship with the Peace Corps, with close to 200 HWS graduates having joined Dosky the Peace Corps since its founding and 12 currently serving as volunteers in Cameroon, Madagascar, Panama, Peru, Romania and Tanzania. Mark D. Gearan, president of the Colleges and former director of the Peace Corps, welcomed the panelists and briefly spoke of his own Kelly Halkyard ’13 (left) and Leslie experience with the Peace Corps. Skeffington ’13. Dove Russo, a Geneva native and Though their journeys are different, Kelly current Peace Corps recruiter, gave an Halkyard ’13 and Leslie Skeffington ’13 Hood introduction to the organization and its embarked on similar paths of service as mission. A returned Peace Corps volunteer two of the newest members of AmeriCorps, Eight Accepted to Teach for America from Cape Verde (2008-10), Russo also a national network of programs committed Serving in communities everywhere from participated as a panelist, along with to engaging thousands of people each year the East Coast to Hawaii, eight young Assistant Professor of Anthropology to serve in communities across the country. alums have joined Teach for America (TFA) and Sociology Christopher Annear, who As a member of AmeriCorps, Halkyard is programs this year, each embarking on his volunteered in Zambia from 1997-1999; serving in Hartford, Conn., as part of the or her own personal journey of service in Nicholas Hoagland ’07, returned Peace Connecticut Food Justice Youth Corps at education. Each alum has been assigned to Corps volunteer from Guinea 2007-2009; Hartford Food System, a program where work in rural or urban low-income com- and Dr. Meredith Waheed, of Lifetime she works to empower young people munities across the nation where they are Medical Associates, Seneca Falls, a as leaders of food justice initiatives. teachers in high-needs classrooms. returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Skeffington is working with College Those beginning their work as TFA Afghanistan 1978-1979. The panelists Forward, an organization that serves corps members are: Caroline Dosky ’12, exchanged stories and answered questions economically disadvantaged young people MAT’13, who along with Hannah Hood ’12, of why they joined and what they’ve as they prepare for college. Skeffington MAT’13 is serving in the South Coast region gained. is serving in Texas and is responsible for of Massachusetts; William Abbott ’13, who Hessler-Radelet encouraged the helping high school students prepare for is in Greater New Orleans; Megan Brodzik students in the audience to apply, college entrance examinations and assist ’13, in Milwaukee; Brianne Ellis ’13, in remarking on the similarities between the with the application process. Miami-Dade, Fla.; Jordunn Joubert ’13, in

8 CCESL Annual Report 2012-13 9 Collaborations and Celebrations

Houston, Texas; Robert Nanovsky ’13, in Delaware; and Nicolas Walker ’13, who is serving in Hawaii.In the past decade, more than 30 HWS students have been accepted Geneva 2020 Announces Partnership to the program. The launch of the Geneva 2020 initiative Chosen from thousands of applicants, recently took place at Hobart and William the women underwent a rigorous selection Smith Colleges and was featured in the process that included a lengthy application, Finger Lakes Times. The event to kick off a presentation of a lesson plan, a personal an effort to assist the Geneva City School interview, a written test and a monitored District drew more than 100 community group discussion with several other leaders, steering committee members and President Mark D. Gearan presents at Geneva 2020. applicants. supporters. “Today’s launch exceeded my expectations in terms of participation and content,” the article quotes City Manager Burke-Thomas Matt Horn. “If it is in any way indicative of the community’s passion for this program, we will be unstoppable.” Geneva 2020 is an important effort to advance the Geneva schools and build a stronger community. It looks to harness the resources of the entire Geneva community - non-profit organizations, businesses and individuals - to provide assistance in three key areas identified by the Geneva City School District as being critical to the HWS seniors Burke-Thomas and Webster future of Geneva’s children: graduation More than 450 students from West Street Elementary, join City Year. rate, career and college readiness and Geneva Middle School, Geneva High School and Geneva Entering City Year, Burke-Thomas is literacy. General Child Care Center visit campus as part of well prepared, having gained experience Colleges’ commitment to Geneva 2020. teaching and mentoring in high school and Thorpe Discusses “Just Like Us” as part of Geneva Reads at the Colleges. Following his term with City 5th annual Community Read Year, he plans to pursue an MFA in creative As the culminating event of this year’s Community Read program, writing, with hopes that he will return to Helen Thorpe, author of the highly-acclaimed book “Just Like Us: The Japan to teach. Lindsay Webster ’13, who True Story of Four Mexican Girls Coming of Age in America,” discussed like Burke-Thomas also participated in the the book on Monday, America Reads program on campus, says March 4, at Hobart and her experiences at HWS will be a great William Smith. Referred foundation for her next step. to as “One of the best “I’m excited to be a mentor, but I’m books of 2009” by the also extremely excited about being part Washington Post and of a team of individuals who share my “meticulously observant” interests, have similar goals, and see the by The New Yorker, “Just Like Us” has been importance of aligning together in order to critically well-received. It is a nonfiction change the world,” Webster says. narrative set in Denver, where Thorpe is First City Year is a nonprofit organization Lady, and juxtaposes her life with that of four that strives to improve classroom Mexican American girls as they transition environments and encourage the from youth into adulthood. As two have legal educational advancement of youth by status, they go on to learn to drive, work, Author of “Just Like Us,” Helen Thorpe autographs providing community-based projects. books for students from Instructor Alex Janney’s open bank accounts and acquire financial Those who serve in City Year help ESOL course, the students read the book as part of aid for college as their two friends without encourage third- to ninth-grade students to the syllabus. documentation cannot. Lauren Foe ’14 worked stay in school and remain on course toward with Director of the Office of Intercultural Affairs high school graduation. Alejandra Molina and the Geneva Reads committee to organize an important resource for this year’s Community Read. Foe developed a resource guide of educational lessons about immigration that allows students to creatively engage with ideas about citizenship. Geneva City School District teachers utilized the toolkit with the books in the spring.

8 CCESL Annual Report 2012-13 9 Collaborations and Celebrations

2013 President’s Higher Education building, a large-scale annual conference, Commitment to Geneva Honored Community Service Honor Roll and ongoing research and action initiatives. In a growing tradition at the Colleges, For the fourth Current initiatives include projects aimed at members of the HWS and Geneva consecutive transforming higher education tenure and communities were honored for their work year, Hobart and promotion policies, assessment practices, furthering partnerships and educational William Smith and graduate and undergraduate education outreach efforts of the Community Engaged Colleges were to cultivate publicly engaged scholarship; Scholarship Forum. The event allowed named to the linking diversity and engagement efforts on those on campus to present and explore 2013 President’s campuses; and partnering with community- community-based research projects Higher Education based arts, cultural and humanities through posters, multimedia presentations Community organizations. and demonstrations. Timothy K. Eatman, Service Honor professor of higher education at Syracuse Roll by the University and co-director of Imagining Corporation for National and Community America, delivered the keynote address. Service (CNCS), the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement. Hobart and William Smith were among only 10 institutions in New York named to the Honor Roll with Distinction. “Our students, faculty and staff have made civic engagement at the local, national and international levels a priority in the classroom and in their personal lives,” says Mark D. Gearan, president of Hobart and William Smith Colleges. “The ongoing recognition by the Corporation for National and Community Service of these efforts is a significant pride point for the institution.”

HWS Joins Imaging America Katie Flowers, director of the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning (CCESL), presented as part of a panel discussing the consortia approach to the assessment of community-based learning at liberal arts colleges. Their discussion, “Developing and Assessing Community-Campus Partnerships in Liberal Arts Colleges” was presented as part of the Imagining America: Artists and Scholars in Public Life (IA) national conference, held in New York City. Hobart and William Smith were invited to join Imagining America: Artists and Scholars in Public Life and Flowers served as the Colleges’ IA representative, along with Margueritte Murphy from the Writing and Rhetoric Department. Imagining America is a consortium of 90 colleges and universities and their partners. IA works with academic and community partners to develop knowledge about and resources for individual and institutional change through community organizing and movement-

10 CCESL Annual Report 2012-13 11 The Community Partner of the Year Award was presented to Finger Lakes Health. Finger Lakes Health (FLH) is a community owned, not-for-profit organization dedicated to maintaining and improving the health of all people in the region. The award is presented annually to the person or agency who has consistently contributed to the civic development and leadership of Hobart and William Smith Colleges students. The award recognizes the value of community collaborations and acknowledges the time, energy and interest invested in the student service and learning experience. Over the past year, more than 50 HWS students have interned or been placed as part of a service-learning class Dr. Jose Acevedo, CEO of FL Health, receives Community Partner Award. with providers at FLH, forming a special relationship with the organization. In these placements, students have shadowed physicians, nurses and a wide variety of other providers in many settings, sharing their exciting learning opportunities with campus. “The Finger Lakes Health team has been supportive of our students in countless ways,” remarked Provost Titi Ufomata, who presented the award to Dr. Jose Acevedo, chief executive officer of FLH. “Our students find success in their applications to medical school and other post graduate programs in large part because of the experiences they have at Finger Lakes Health and what they learn from the providers, teachers, patients, and Commended for her outstanding work Caroline Dosky ’12, MAT ’13, received the advocates there.” Engaged Student Scholar Award. Dosky was recognized for her work at West Street Elementary School, developing a leadership curriculum for the young students. Engaging 26 first-grade students in three workshops, Dosky created interactive lessons modeled after the principles of leading self, leading others and leadership in action - concepts she studied at the Colleges’ Centennial Center for Leadership.

Jeremy Wattles, assistant director of the Center The Civically Engaged Faculty Award was presented to Associate Professor of Geoscience for Community Engagement and Service Learning Nan Arens and Assistant Professor of Education Khuram Hussain for their exemplary served as vice-chair of Geneva Reads and assisted scholarship, community partnerships and commitment to service-learning. Provost Titi with the implementation of goals set in the strategic Ufomata (center) presented the award. planning process.

10 CCESL Annual Report 2012-13 11 Through HWS Compass students are encouraged to explore the many facets of service to society. A four-step program, Compass provides experiences in Community Service, Civic Engagement, and Civic Leadership that chart the course to a life of Engaged Citizenship. Students are connected with service and engagement opportunities on-campus, in the area surrounding Geneva, outside the local region and even internationally. These experiences are meant to help students develop citizenship skills such as leadership, self-awareness, and recognizing societal needs while making a material change that will help meet identified community needs.

Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning Trinity Hall Geneva, NY 14456

Phone: (315) 781-3825 E-mail: [email protected]

www.hws.edu/academics/service