Former Scholars
2008-09 Community Engagement Scholars
Click on one of the names below to learn more about this Scholar and his or her placement.
Corey Adamson, Psychology Major
Hello, my name is Corey Adamson, I am a senior at Duquesne studying psychology and theology. This year I will be the Community Engagement Scholar for the Duquesne University Volunteers Office (DUV). I will be working primarily with The Brashear Association, a fabulous organization that is an essential part to the South Side and surrounding neighborhoods who assists, supports, and strengthens the well being of the surrounding community.
My job will be to help The Brashear Association in running successful events such as after school activities for children, food collections for the pantry throughout the year, as well as various other activities.
To coincide with that I will be spending a lot of time advocating for even more student body involvement. As a student myself, it did not take long to see that the challenges set before us go way beyond academic achievement. The University strives not only provide an excellent education in the classroom, but sees growth outside it just as vital in becoming a successful individual. To “serve God by serving students” brings upon the Duquesne Community an awesome duty to grow not just in the mind, but in the heart and spirit as well. And I can think of no better way for that kind of growth in our education than being involved in the community, making a substantial different in the lives of others. I look forward to the many challenges that lay ahead, but also the opportunity to grow as a person in the service of others.
Dana Cerminaro, Music Education and Vocal Performance
My name is Dana Cerminaro and I am a sophomore at Duquesne University. I am a double major in the areas of Music Education and Vocal Performance. As a Civic Engagement Scholar I am able to work with a host faculty member. My host is Sister Carole Riley, Professor of Music Education and Piano Director of Graduate Studies. It is my job to coordinate Freshmen Service Learning Development. I plan freshmen meetings, collect and grade Service Learning reflections, and coordinate Service Learning sites for all students involved in the process, record and document student progress, attend weekly meetings with my host, and post and communicate through Blackboard. The most effective way to communicate with students and get information out to them twenty-four hours a day is through Blackboard. This is a teaching tool that acts as a student planner that helps organize a student’s schedule while providing homework and updates about his or her schedule. So in order to efficiently complete my job, I was trained and became certified in Blackboard over the summer. I am so excited to be involved in the Service Learning process with a focus of helping students in the Mary Pappert School of Music. My involvement in Service Learning is one of the many reasons I love being a member of the Duquesne University family!
Matt Mierski
Hello, my name is Matt Mierski. I am a sophomore music therapy student, and I am enrolled in the CES program through the occupational therapy department. My future plans include receiving a Masters Degree or Doctorate and pursuing a career working with adults and children suffering from psychiatric disorders.
I also hope to pursue a career with the church. This year, I am very excited about the CES program, because it allows me to prioritize time exploring service in the community. Through the occupational therapy department, I receive the opportunity to learn about community involvement across curriculums. The department will give me opportunities to work with homeless populations through community centers such as Bethlehem Haven and the Shepherd’s Heart. At these centers, I will help run a drop-in center, will lead computer classes, and will help restructure an alumni contact program. I am confident that my experiences will both broaden my perspective and give me the insight to set clearer career goals.
Beyond my involvement with these programs, I will also be organizing a branch of the Student-Farm Worker Alliance on campus, which is an organization that advocates for the fair treatment and wages of laborers within our country. I will also take a leadership role in the annual spring break trip to Immokalee, Florida, which is an alternative spring break trip that allows students to first-hand experience the struggles of farm workers in America. I see that the CES program will help me develop into the leader that I dream of being.
Amy Hannequin, Music Major
Amy Hannequin is a Junior Music Education Major at Duquesne University. She belongs to a number of associations, including the College Band Director’s National Association, Mu Phi Epsilon, National Band Association, National Flute Association, as well as the Music Educator’s National Conference, and Pennsylvania Collegiate Music Educator’s Association. This year, she became a member of Americorps, working with the music education service learning program in the school of music. In this role, Amy assists Sr. Carole Riley. Amy became the PCMEA Region One Representative in 2007 and is continuing a term this year.
Ashleigh Munko, Human Services Major
My name is Ashleigh Munko, and I am a junior at Duquesne University. My major is Sociology with a concentration in Human Services. My career goal is to either have my own mentor organization or my own children’s advocacy center. I truly could not be more excited about this incredible opportunity with AmeriCorps! I cannot see myself doing anything other than working with and helping others. I am working with the Non-profit Leadership Institute here on campus, specifically with the Boards-By-Design sector, which is headed up by Allison Jones.
Boards-By-Design is an organization that matches individuals with available spots on non-profit boards. Through them, I will be meeting with over 300 of the Pittsburgh area non-profit organizations to keep BBD updated on the status of their boards. I will also have the opportunity to go to some of the BBD events, such as “Non-profit Speed Dating” and the “Leadership Academy”. Not only will I get to do what I love, service work, but I’ll also get to do a lot of networking which will hopefully help me out when it comes time for me to start my career.
Chris Miller, CE Scholars Student Leader
As a Community Engagement Student Leader I oversee and monitor the efforts and acheivements of each Scholar, making sure the group stays both enthused and focused. Thus, I facilitate open discussions in which the scholars are encouraged to share there own experience, as well as address any relevant questions or concerns.
This approach allows the individual to learn through the reflection of not only their own experiences but that of their colleagues. Moreover, I believe that through service and reflection, the individual can gain a better sense of purpose; therefore helping them identify what they want to do. In addition, I make myself available to the group for any individual concerns they may have. In other words, as leader, I serve as a guide, helping them discover for themselves the importance and relevance of community in their own lives.