Today's Message
Posted: Friday, May 6, 2022Celebration of Community Engagement Award Recipients
The Civic and Community Engagement Office is pleased to announce this year's Celebration of Community Engagement Award recipients and to recognize the service-learning and volunteer partnerships that occurred throughout the academic year. We are pleased to honor the students, faculty, staff, and community partners who make a difference locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally through civic and community engagement initiatives.
Please extend your congratulations to our 2021–2022 Celebration of Community Engagement Award recipients for their commitment to partnerships and active community engagement.
Frederick Howe Outstanding Student Volunteer: Katie Igielinski, senior psychology and political science major, recognized for her work with the Student Civic Leadership Board and Feedmore WNY.
Outstanding Service-Learning Student: Elaina James, senior public relations and advertising major, recognized for her work with the Black Rock Historical Society in SPC 307: Group Communication, taught by Ann Liao, associate professor of communication.
Outstanding Service-Learning Student Group: Steven Clare, junior media production major; Joana Leamon, senior media production major; and Tyler Nagy, senior media production major, recognized for their short-form documentary made in partnership with the Burchfield Penney Art Center’s online artist archive in COM 433: Advanced Documentary Production, taught by Meg Knowles, associate professor of communication.
Outstanding Service-Learning Course: COM 405: Online Newsroom, recognized for its work publishing news that is relevant to Buffalo's West Side neighborhood on Buffalo Review West.
Students: Peyton Fletcher, Natalie Gravino, Caitlyn Malilay, Nia Peeples, Elijah Robinson, Valerie Ryan, Thomas Tedesco, and Zachary Williams
Faculty: Annemarie Franczyk, associate professor of communication
Outstanding New Community Partner: REACH Academy Charter School, recognized for its Global Book Hour partnership with students in EDU 211: Introduction to Literacy, taught by Jennifer Reichenberg, assistant professor, and Dana Breidenstein, lecturer, of the Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership Department.
• Linda Marszalek, head of schools
• Andrew Castellano, instructional coach
• Anna Chiavaroli, director of instruction
• Beth Waite, after-school coordinator
Outstanding Established Community Partner: Explore & More, the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Children's Museum, recognized for its work with associate professor Kathy Doody’s EXE graduate candidates on the Au-Some Evenings at Explore & More.
• Michelle Urbanczyk, chief executive officer
• Lisa Chrapowicz, senior manager of strategic and community initiatives
• Val Drapeau, education coordinator
Reciprocal Partnership Award: Kathleen Palumbo, practicum lecturer in the Exceptional Education Department, and Renee Ratliff, volunteer coordinator with the College-Based Transition Program, recognized for connecting high school-age students with disabilities with EXE 245 college peers.
Early Career Faculty Award for Community Engagement: Therese Fuerst, lecturer of communication
Mid-Career Faculty Award for Community Engagement: Kathy Doody, associate professor of exceptional education
Leadership in Community Engagement: Joy Guarino, professor of theater and interim director of global engagement
Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellowship
2021 Fellow: Alia Williams, senior early childhood and childhood education major
2022 Fellow: Iaya Mohamed, junior health and wellness major
2022 Fellow Mentor: Sarah Stimpson, RDN, CDN, consultant dietitian with Evergreen Health Services
President’s Certificate of Recognition for Community Engagement
Community Supporter - 200 Hours of Service: Jacob Fleuricot and Alexander Krest
Neighborhood Advocate - 400 Hours of Service: Joana Leamon and Jeffrey Thomas
Active Citizen - 1,000 Hours of Service: Jacob Fleming Sr.
150th Anniversary Service Challenge Award
Students: Olivia Carr, Jacob Fleming Sr., Janate Ingram, and Lisa Michael
Faculty: Jane Cushman, chair and associate professor of mathematics, and Carlos R. A. Jones, associate dean of the School of Arts and Sciences
Staff: Johanna Burke, Tricia Herritt, Kristen Mruk, and Desiray Slaughter
Special Thank-You
The Civic and Community Engagement Office extends its heartfelt gratitude to the members of this year’s Celebration of Community Engagement Awards Review Committee:
• Joy Guarino, professor of theater and interim director of global engagement
• Jeremy Morlock, director of the Kidney Foundation of Western New York
• Saharatu Munkaila, junior health and wellness major
• Desiray Slaughter, AmeriCorps VISTA, Civic and Community Engagement Office
• Alice Villaseńor, associate director, Civic and Community Engagement Office
We would also like to thank the 150th Anniversary Committee for funding the 150th Anniversary Service Challenge.
