Community Engagement Center
Spring 2012 Newsletter
Contents
Service Learning ........................................................................................ Error! Bookmark not defined.
Spirit of Giving Drive .................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Sac Pack Drive ..........................................................................................................................................6
Civic Matters .............................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
In the Spotlight ......................................................................................................................................... 5
Student Spotlight: Lesly Argueta .......................................................................................................... 5
Student Spotlight: Gregory Hicks ......................................................................................................... 5
Meet Our Student Team ...........................................................................................................................6
Alex H, Photography ‘14 .......................................................................................................................6
Kehinde O, Nutrition ‘13 .......................................................................................................................6
Kevin N, Master’s in Public Policy & Administration (MPPA) ‘13 ...........................................................6
Myleah H, Child Development ‘13 .........................................................................................................6
Calendar ................................................................................................................................................... 7
Service Learning
Sacramento State Community Engagement Center Service Learning Program, in partnership
with faculty and community, offer Sac State students opportunities to participate in the High
Impact Practice of service learning www.aacu.org/leap/hip.cfm. Community Engagement
Center facilitates the process through resources, referrals and connections.
On the average 55 faculty partner with Community Engagement Center each semester to
place their service learning students with one of the Center’s 100 established community
partnerships. The service learning placements range from government, schools, community
and faith-based organizations. This 2011/2012 academic calendar 2184 students provided 64,
707 of service hours which, based on the National Volunteer Index of $21.36, equals an in-kind
value of $1,382,142 to communities within the Sacramento Region. In turn, the service
learning students have received valuable experiences that apply to what they are studying,
provide career opportunities, network with professionals, expand knowledge of civic and social
issues, develop leadership and team work skills, are encouraged to act locally, think globally
and enhance their resume.
Our Service Learning Program is known nationally as well. For the last 4 years Community
Engagement Center has submitted, on behalf of Sacramento State, the application for United
State President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor. The Honor Roll recognizes
higher education institutions that reflect the values of exemplary community service and
achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities. Sacramento State has been recognized
for four consecutive years, two of those years with Distinction. Community Engagement
Center Service Learning Program has played a significant role in the University receiving this
recognition.
All of what we have accomplished is due the commitment and dedication of our Sacramento
State service learning faculty, students and community partners.
For additional information on our service learning and other programs visit our website at
www.csus.edu/cec.
Sheila Macias, Administrative Director
Spirit of Giving Drive
The results are in…after the second year of participation in Sacramento Food Bank & Family
Services (SFBFS) Spirit of Giving Drive, Sacramento State won in multiple categories!
In 2010, Community Engagement Center won the “Best Decorated” container category. This
year Community Engagement Center not only repeated the win for “Best Decorated” but also
won for “Excellence in Volunteering” with a remarkable 1,070 hours of service.
In addition to Community Engagement Center’s wins, Kinesiology and Health Science
Department won the “Most Food Collected” category, with a total of 4,526 Lbs. We’d like to
thank the many Sac State individuals, departments, and clubs who dedicated time and
donations to support our community and make these accomplishments possible.
Sac Pack Drive
As the semester comes to an end many students have extra supplies they no longer need - Sac
Pack Drive provides a means for students to “re-home” new or gently used school/art supplies
for the benefit of youth in need through local non-profit organizations.
Donations are accepted year round, though our main drives are at the ends of each semester
when many students no longer need the supplies. Community Engagement Center works with
campus clubs and departments to help spread awareness and sponsor Sac Pack Drives in the
fall and spring semester.
For more info on how to get involved, as well as a wish list of donation items visit:
csus.edu/cec/sacpack
Civic Matters
Graduate Public Policy & Administration student Kevin Navarro shares his passion and
perspectives on civic engagement as Community Engagement Center’s Program
Student Assistant.
As a Program Student Assistant, I help facilitate Community Engagement Center’s service
programs, including Sac State Serves and Alternative Break. The position also provides me the
opportunity to apply my academic and personal knowledge and interests by developing civic
events and activities throughout the year.
My time learning about government and civics as a Graduate student at Sacramento State and
during my undergraduate studies in Political Science-Public Service at UC Davis made me
understand the importance of a civically active citizenry in a national democracy. Democracies
are sustained by citizens who possess the knowledge of current public issues and the
disposition to act on that knowledge by participating in our democratic processes. Absent a
reasoned civic commitment from its citizens, a democratic nation’s fundamental values of a
freedom, fairness, and prosperity cannot last. Therefore, it is imperative that centers of public
education commit time and effort to the proliferation of civic education and awareness in the
years preceding a person’s graduation.
Community Engagement Center believes the development of civic knowledge and skills is an
important aspect of preparation for active citizenship in our representative democracy. Our
nation’s democracy is best served by citizens who acquire, through their education, both the
skills and disposition necessary for effective civic participation.
Our primary civic engagement event occurs every September during Constitution Week. Last
semester, our Constitution Week event focused on how students can be engaged citizens
through advocacy. Students listened to a panel discussion featuring higher education
advocates and state legislative staffers. Following the panel discussion, students attended a
resource fair spotlighting local and campus advocacy organizations and opportunities for
students.
Community Engagement Center facilitates students’ civic awareness through educational
events and hands-on service. As we move forward, I will create and develop various civicfocused activities that will enlighten Sacramento State students of issues pertaining to them
and offer information on how to act upon the newly acquired knowledge.
In the Spotlight
Student Spotlight: Lesly Argueta
In July 2011, Sacramento hosted 5,000 athletes from over 90 countries. 22 Sac State Serves
volunteers gave over 200 hours to help welcome athletes and support the event on and off the
field.
During the event, Lesly worked as an athlete packet pick-up clerk and as an impromptu
translator. According to Sac State Serves volunteer coordinator Misty Garcia, “Lesly was often
the first to welcome athletes and introduce them not only to the event, but to Sacramento
State. Her ability to speak Spanish put her in the unique (and on-the-spot) capacity of
translating for multi-national guests. I personally found her to be a resource throughout the
day – feeling handicapped by my own inability to verbally assist Spanish speakers, I knew I
could depend on Lesly as she warmly greeted each guest with a welcoming ‘Hola!’ and
readiness to assist.”
After participating in this event, along with its challenges and rewards of helping so many
people from different countries, Lesly concluded that she’s “not scared of (volunteering)
anymore.” She has realized that she doesn’t have to know how to do everything to be
successful and have fun as a volunteer. To others who are skeptical about volunteering she
says, “Go ahead and do it. Go try and see if it is something you like. If not, at least you tried.”
Student Spotlight: Gregory Hicks
Sitting down to talk with Gregory Hicks during his final Alternative Break, he reminisces about
all the things he has accomplished, the people he has met, and his experiences being involved
with Alternative Breaks. As we begin to talk about the positive atmosphere of Alternative
Break he points to some of his fellow volunteers and says, “You see what I’m saying, the
laughter.” For Greg, the thought of his last Alternative Break is bittersweet, “I’m happy I did so
many things but sad that since it’s my last semester it won’t be the same.” All the experiences
and friendships are something he wouldn’t trade for the world. He considers his fellow
volunteers from Alternative Break to be like family.
After participating in so many projects he stated, “To be honest there hasn’t been a project I
didn’t like, “but he will always be most fond of his first Alternative Break experience. At
Jedediah Smith Elementary, volunteers painted the playground and helped organize materials
and activities in the classroom. It was after this experience that Greg thought, “The stuff I’m
doing for these kids is amazing.” Having done these projects Greg can see the lasting impacts
of his service throughout the community. Some of these such as the tree planting he did with
Sac State Serves will be around for generations. Reflecting on this project he said, “When I
have kids one day I can say, ‘you see those trees there, I planted those’.”
Meet our Team
“Student employees provide essential staff support for community engagement
services and activities.”
Alex H, Photography ‘14
Over the last year as a Public Affairs Intern, Alex has designed many of our flyers and digital
displays seen around campus.
Kehinde O, Nutrition '13
The newest member of our team, Kay joins us as our second Program Student Assistant. Kay
will help coordinate projects such as Sac State Serves and Alternative break.
Kevin N, Master's in Public Policy & Administration (MPPA) '13
As a Program Student Assistant Kevin helps coordinate volunteer projects such as Sac State
Serves and Alternative Break. Currently Kevin is using his expertise to plan civic events.
Myleah H, Child Development '13
As the Student Office Assistant, Myleah is the welcoming face to our customer service,
providing front desk reception and general office support.
Calendar
Sunday, 5/20:
Sac State Serves: A Day on the farm
Wednesday, 5/30:
Community Engagement Recognition Luncheon
Saturday, 6/23:
Sac State Serves: Chef Challenge
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Community Engagement Center
(916) 278-4610 | cecenter@csus.edu | www.csus.edu/cec