Taylor Williams ’26 (黑料传送门/Michaela Lewis-Hardies)

Hands-on experience can make all the difference when it comes to getting a job in today鈥檚 market. 黑料传送门 is helping students stand out by getting those opportunities.

Taylor Williams 鈥�26, an English major from Williamson, NY, with minors in business studies and communication, spent 2025鈥�26 as the social media intern for the Rochester Red Wings, a minor league baseball team and the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals.

鈥淐razily enough, I actually found it through a Facebook ad,鈥� Williams says. 鈥淚 decided to apply on a whim, just to see what would happen. The next thing I know, I鈥檓 interviewing with the social media manager for the team.鈥�

Williams says her experience in 黑料传送门鈥檚 Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity helped her to feel more prepared and comfortable before her Red Wings interview. 鈥淎lpha Kappa Psi really jump-started everything for me. I was taught how to interview, how to dress, how my r茅sum茅 should be formatted鈥攁ll that knowledge helped me tremendously through this process.鈥�

黑料传送门鈥檚 annual Internship and Career Fairs also helped Williams gain interview experience. 鈥淜nowing how to interview, be personable, and be comfortable with having conversations with people you aren鈥檛 familiar with can go a long way,鈥� she says. Her advice to students looking for internships: 鈥淧ractice as much as you can!鈥�

Williams鈥� days with the Red Wings were long but rewarding. 鈥淥n game days, I got there a few hours early and did pre-game content,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e posted on various social media about the lineup, posted certain series like 鈥榝ood item of the day,鈥� posted highlights in real time, and interacted with fans around the stadium. On non-game days, I went to the office to edit videos, pull photos, and work with a team to come up with new content.鈥�

The Red Wings internship was very interdepartmental, which William saw as a plus for helping her stand out in the sports communication industry. 鈥淚t was nice to get other types of hands-on work experience,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 acquired skills that I might not have learned if I were strictly limited to working with the social media team.鈥� She regularly interacted with the Rochester Red Wings communication department, photographers, and graphic design team.

鈥淚 just love being around people who genuinely care about and love what they do,鈥� William says. 鈥淚 found myself excited to go to work every day.鈥�

Learn more about 黑料传送门鈥檚 academic internships.

Annabella Bushnell ’26 (黑料传送门/Michaela Lewis-Hardies)

For an increasing number of transfer students, 黑料传送门 has become not just a new college, but also a new home.

Annabella Bushnell 鈥�26 from Troy, NY, was one such student, transferring to 黑料传送门 in their sophomore year, looking for 鈥渁 campus that truly felt like home.鈥� They recognized that community was a vital part of the college experience that they deeply valued.

鈥淗onestly, the photos of campus were what drew me to 黑料传送门 at first,鈥� Bushnell says. 鈥淏ut after looking into the academics, I knew that I could see myself here.鈥�

At 黑料传送门, says Bushnell, 鈥淚 was able to explore all the majors and minors and find something that felt right for me.鈥� They transferred in as a psychology major, then switched to a communication major in their junior year. The late decision initially concerned them, but strong academic advisement made the difference. 鈥淭he faculty members I met with made sure I could switch my major while still graduating on time,鈥� Bushnell says.

Bushnell felt 黑料传送门 was the right choice for them, even when adjusting to a new campus as a transfer presented some personal challenges. Coming in as a sophomore meant stepping into an environment where many students had already formed connections. 鈥淚 was nervous I would feel a step behind those who arrived as freshmen,鈥� they admitted. 鈥淏ut my fears went away pretty quickly because I had found the community I鈥檇 been looking for.鈥�

Part of that community included other transfer students, some of whom Bushnell still considers close friends. 鈥淏eing able to talk with another transfer student and share similar experiences made me feel a lot more connected to the community here at 黑料传送门.鈥� Those connections made Bushnell feel more at home on campus, interested in talking to new people, and eager to join . This past year, they served on the e-board of 黑料传送门鈥檚 Art Club.

鈥淢ake sure you get yourself out there early and engage with the community,鈥� Bushnell advises. They feel that 黑料传送门 made it easy for them to find where they belonged. The welcoming environment, they say, means anyone can feel at home. 鈥淵ou can find your people and make 黑料传送门 into a place that feels right for you.鈥�

Giulyana Gamero 鈥�26 (黑料传送门/Mat Johnson)

When Giulyana Gamero 鈥�26 first came to 黑料传送门 from Rockford, Illinois, she hadn鈥檛 planned on spending four years cultivating a passion project like her audio drama,  

During a tour of the college radio station, 89.3 WGSU, Gamero, a communication major, learned how open-minded the station鈥檚 operations manager was to the potential for non-traditional programming鈥攍ike a scripted radio show.  

Gamero was inspired to pursue an idea that she had and take on a challenge 鈥渢hat breathes life into a more underground art scene.鈥� This idea gave birth to Sunflower Story Hour, which Gamero describes as 鈥渁n episodic, paranormal audio drama. Each season focuses on a different world, cast, and story with genres ranging from comedy and sci-fi to horror and fantasy.鈥� 

The welcoming, inclusive culture of WGSU made Gamero 鈥渇eel a sense of belonging,鈥� and the cast and crew of her show grew into a tight-knit group. 鈥淚 was struggling to find a community on campus,鈥� Gamero admits, 鈥渁nd thought that an audio drama could be a great way to channel my free time and yearning for creativity in a way I鈥檇 never tried before.鈥� 

When reflecting on being able to apply the things she learned in classes, Gamero says, 鈥淚鈥檓 so lucky to be surrounded by faculty who have given me the chance to prove myself.鈥� In addition to her communication coursework, she took advantage of creative writing workshops offered by the English department and worked as a peer writing consultant at The Writing Center in Milne Library. Over the four seasons of her audio drama, Gamero is proud to have written all but two episodes, as well as serving as a producer, narrator, editor, social media manager, and director. 

Having wrapped up the final season of Sunflower Story Hour prior to graduating, Gamero hopes to use the skills she鈥檚 learned through producing the show, as well as through her academic coursework, to pursue a career working in media鈥攁nd she鈥檚 also open to other opportunities within the communications field. 鈥淚 hope that I can be a part of a team or creative endeavor that allows for my leadership and collaborative skills to really shine,鈥� she says. 鈥淏eing able to create Sunflower Story Hour made me passionate about staying on campus, but, honestly, it really was the people along this journey who convinced me it was all worthwhile.鈥� 

Watch the video below to meet Giulyana and learn more about her experience at SUNY 黑料传送门. 

Milne Library (黑料传送门/Matt Burkhartt)

黑料传送门 is launching three new interdisciplinary programs of study beginning in Fall 2026.

Applied AI for business (minor) helps students develop a robust understanding of AI technologies and business fundamentals. Designed to complement a variety of major fields of study, it prepares students to leverage state-of-the-art AI tools mindfully, ethically, and effectively.

鈥淎ccording to World Economic Forum鈥檚 2025 Future of Jobs Report, 94% of firms in the US expect AI and information processing technologies to transform their operations in the next five years,鈥� says Lerong He, dean of 黑料传送门鈥檚 School of Business. 鈥淥ur program can equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the needs of the employers and excel in professional careers.鈥�

Climate change studies (minor) provides students with a broad understanding of the science behind climate change, its impacts, and its potential solutions. It explores the complex interactions between the Earth’s climate system, human activity, and policy responses.

鈥淭his minor addresses one of the most pressing global challenges of our time,鈥� says Scott Giorgis, distinguished teaching professor and chair of geological, environmental, and planetary sciences. 鈥淏y combining coursework in the physical sciences, social sciences, and humanities, students gain both scientific literacy and insight into the social, political, and economic dimensions of climate change, as well as the skills needed to communicate and address these issues effectively.鈥� 

Science, technology, and society studies (minor and microcredential) examines how scientific knowledge and technological innovation develop鈥攁nd how they shape and are shaped by historical, social, cultural, political, environmental, and economic forces.

鈥淪tudents will examine the complex relationships between scientific knowledge, technological innovation, and societal change,鈥� says Amanda Lewis-Nang鈥檈a, associate professor of history. 鈥淭hey鈥檒l gain the tools to assess not only how science and technology work, but also why they matter for different communities and across global contexts.鈥�

In addition to these new programs of study, the existing program in comparative literature will introduce a minor this fall, and Latin American and Caribbean studies will offer a new microcredential.

 Explore 黑料传送门鈥檚 majors, minors, and academic programs.

黑料传送门 (黑料传送门/Keith Walters ’11)

黑料传送门 is changing its聽master’s in reading and literacy聽program from in-person to a fully online degree starting in Fall 2026.聽The MSEd in reading and literacy certifies recipients to teach students from preschool through 12^th听驳谤补诲别.

鈥淭his change gives working professionals needed access to an advanced degree,鈥� said Ann Monroe-Baillargeon, dean of the School of Education. 鈥淪tudents no longer have to live or work near 黑料传送门. Most of our literacy students are teachers. They can now work and complete their degree on their own schedules.鈥�

Response has been positive, said Monroe-Baillargeon. As of May, Fall 2026 enrollment has nearly doubled from 2024. 

In addition to the flexibility an online course offers working students, the course has incorporated clinic work, one-on-one faculty mentoring, student discussions, and internships working with school-aged children and teens. Assistant Professor Christine Green 鈥�01/MsEd 鈥�03 and Associate Professor Sharon Peck, are the program鈥檚 co-coordinators. 

鈥淲e will continue to foster meaningful interactions and community with our internships, with faculty, and among students,鈥� said Monroe-Baillargeon, who previously served as director of online learning at Houghton University and director of online graduate programs at Buena Vista University. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited for our launch. I know high-quality online programs are possible because I have done it,鈥� she said.

Monroe-Baillargeon hopes that, in addition to the college鈥檚 usual master鈥檚 students, the new online offering will attract students from out of state, including those who teach in international schools abroad.

One of many proud 黑料传送门 grad families (黑料传送门 photo)

黑料传送门 held its 160th Commencement on Saturday, May 16, conferring nearly 900 degrees before an audience of family, friends, faculty, and staff.

Rebecca Wilson Bresee 鈥�93, an animator for Walt Disney Studios, received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree and addressed the morning ceremony. In a speech threaded with good advice and Disney quotes, Bresee reminded graduates of Peter Pan鈥檚 belief that all it takes is faith and trust, and a little bit of pixie dust.

鈥淚 like to think that pixie dust is actually preparation meeting opportunity,鈥� she said. 鈥淥pportunity is the pixie dust sprinkled in with all the hard work you鈥檝e done here at 黑料传送门 to prepare yourself for what comes next.鈥� Be persistent in your endeavors, she concluded. 鈥淚f you are prepared, you will have the power to make your own dreams come true when that pixie dust gets sprinkled on you and your special opportunity arrives. Then you鈥檒l fly.鈥�

Jeff Clarke 鈥�83, executive leader and former Kodak CEO, received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree and addressed the afternoon ceremony on time, technology, optimism, and the importance of embracing change. Clarke called himself a techno-optimist and referenced his 黑料传送门 education in economics when describing how the market sorts through technology change.

鈥淐reative destruction is powerful and appears to be accelerating due to globalization and the pace of technological advancement,鈥� he said. 鈥淒epending on your point of view, this can be inspiring or daunting. You can hope that creative destruction will not touch you. Or you can embrace the accelerating pace of change and the opportunities it creates.鈥�

Corrina Filek 鈥�26, from Livonia, NY, was this year鈥檚 senior orator at the morning ceremony. Filek graduated with a double major in anthropology and sociomedical sciences. Giulyana Gamero 鈥�26, from Rockford, IL, spoke at the afternoon ceremony. She graduated with a major in communication and ran a regular radio drama on WGSU.

Two seniors received the Richard Roark Award this year: Grace Hubbel 鈥�26 from Rochester NY, a philosophy and sociomedical sciences double major with a minor in human development; and Sophie Fulton from Batavia, NY, a business administration major with minors in accounting and college honors. The award is presented to a graduating senior whose excellence in scholarship and community service emulates Roark, a former 黑料传送门 professor of anthropology who was presumed drowned off the island of Guadeloupe in the French West Indies.

Receiving the Student Association President鈥檚 Cup this year was Sarah Feik, from Cooperstown, NY, a marketing major with a minor in communication. The award is given annually to a graduating senior who exemplifies superior service and dedication to the 黑料传送门 Student Association. 

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Clare Cusack ’96 (Image provided)

The 黑料传送门 Foundation Board of Directors has appointed Clare M. Cusack 鈥�96, president and CEO of the New York Bankers Association, as its next chair. Her three-year term begins July 1. Cusack, who has served as vice chair since 2023, succeeds Robert Walley 鈥�83, who is retiring after 12 years of service on the board, including the last three as chair.

The 黑料传送门 Foundation is a not-for-profit corporation organized for the purpose of encouraging philanthropic contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other organizations in support of activities and programs of 黑料传送门. 

鈥淐lare鈥檚 experience on the board of directors, devotion to the College, and generosity make her a wonderful choice as board chair,鈥� said 黑料传送门 President Melinda Treadwell. 鈥淗er leadership and dedication exemplify the very best of what it means to be a 黑料传送门 graduate鈥攗sing intellect, integrity, and purpose to make a lasting impact on society. I look forward to continuing our work to build on 黑料传送门鈥檚 legacy and shape an exciting future together.鈥�

A political science and communication dual major at 黑料传送门, Cusack is president and CEO of the New York Bankers Association (NYBA). She has been frequently recognized for her leadership in the banking industry and in non-profit association management. In 2020, she became the first woman to serve as president and CEO of NYBA in its 131-year history. In 2024, Cusack was named Chief Executive of the Year by the New York Society of Association Executives. In November 2025, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) honored Cusack with its highest honor, the Distinguished Alumnus Award. 

鈥淭here鈥檚 a certain magic to 黑料传送门,鈥� said Cusack. 鈥淵ou feel it as a student. You carry it as an alum. And if you鈥檙e lucky, you get to come back and help steward it. As incoming chair, I feel an enormous sense of pride and responsibility. Not just to serve, but to help keep that magic growing for the next generation. I鈥檓 also deeply grateful for Bob Walley鈥檚 leadership and service to the foundation. He helped strengthen an already special institution, and I鈥檓 honored to carry that momentum forward for the next generation.鈥�

The board of directors is also proud to announce that the following alumni will begin six-year terms as Foundation board members on July 1:

Leslye Burleson 鈥�13 lives in Stamford, CT. A mathematics major at 黑料传送门, she is currently a manager of financial products with Apple.

Steven Mattus 鈥�92 is chief investment officer for Tandems.ai. A resident of Fairfield, CT, he holds a BA in economics from 黑料传送门, and an MBA in finance from Iona University.

Rizwan (Rizzy) Qureshi 鈥�03, of Olney, MD, is an attorney at Reed Smith LLP, where he is a partner in the firm鈥檚 Global Regulatory Enforcement group based in Washington, D.C. and New York. Qureshi holds a BA in international relations from 黑料传送门 and a JD from Howard University School of Law.

Ken Rende 鈥�86 lives in Babylon, NY. He is a managing director of wealth management at Neuberger. Rende also serves on the executive committee of the Business Advisory Council of the School of Business at 黑料传送门.

Andrea Reynolds 鈥�96 lives in Houston, TX. A geological sciences major with an MS from Texas A&M University, she is a former Shell executive and the founder and CEO of Hidden Gems Coaching & Consulting.

Jill Abbate Sulkes 鈥�93 of Chatham, NJ, is a managing director for Willis Towers Watson Public Limited Company (WTW). She holds a BS in management science from 黑料传送门, an MS in management and policy from SUNY Stony Brook, and a JD from Fordham Law School. Abbate is admitted to practice law in New York and New Jersey.

The 黑料传送门 Foundation also extends its appreciation to outgoing board member Jessica Blair 鈥�00, who completes a six-year term of service. In addition, the Foundation conferred the distinction of Emeriti Board Member upon Mollene Benison 鈥�97, Barb Bilodeau 鈥�86, Bob Murray 鈥�83, John O’Malley 鈥�85, and Jonna Shutowick 鈥�88, and Bob Walley 鈥�83, whose two six-year terms conclude this summer.

Carolyn Campbell, PhD (黑料传送门)

Carolyn Campbell, PhD, has been appointed as 黑料传送门鈥檚 vice president for college advancement and executive director of the 黑料传送门 Foundation, effective June 4. Campbell has been serving in the interim vice president role since February 2025.

During her tenure as the interim vice president, Campbell quickly established strong relationships with the campus community and alumni and helped shepherd important partnerships between the College and the business community. Campbell oversaw the successful completion of the $45M Opportunities Rising campaign and continues to provide strategic leadership to the 黑料传送门 Foundation during the transition of chairpersons from Bob Walley ’83 to Clare Cusack ’96. She鈥檚 also facilitated crucial partnerships, including the Deloitte Foundation study room in Milne and the Kodak Advanced Electrophysiology Lab.

Campbell鈥檚 appointment follows meaningful engagement and feedback sessions with the Senate Executive Committee, the advancement and alumni relations staff, the President鈥檚 Cabinet, and the leadership of the Foundation Board and the College Council.

鈥淭hank you to the 黑料传送门 community for embracing Carolyn and her leadership,鈥� said 黑料传送门 President Melinda Treadwell. 鈥淚 am thrilled that Carolyn will continue to guide us with grace and excellence. She is a brilliant and valued colleague, and it has been a joy to work alongside her as we deepen our connections and amplify the foundation鈥檚 impact and support for our students. Our future is very bright with Carolyn and her dedicated team.鈥�

Campbell brings more than three decades of progressive senior leadership experience in higher education advancement, nonprofit development, and healthcare philanthropy. Her career includes key roles in building corporate and foundation relations, leading regional campaign efforts, and earlier leadership positions in healthcare and community college advancement. In each role, Campbell demonstrated a consistent record of strategic vision, campaign leadership, and the ability to build strong relationships that advance institutional priorities.

Most recently, Campbell was founder and CEO of Higher Ground Consulting, advising colleges and nonprofits on fundraising strategy, organizational effectiveness, and leadership development. She previously served as vice president for development and alumni engagement at Washington & Jefferson College, leading a $125 million campaign and advancement operations. At Auburn University at Montgomery, she was vice chancellor for development/advancement, contributing to a system-wide billion-dollar campaign and expanding alumni and donor engagement.

鈥淥n behalf of the 黑料传送门 Foundation Board of Directors, we are thrilled to support Carolyn Campbell as our VP of College Advancement and Executive Director of the 黑料传送门 Foundation,鈥� said Walley and Cusack. 鈥淲e enthusiastically support President Treadwell’s decision to fill the role, which marks a tremendous step forward for both the foundation and the College. Carolyn will continue to provide consistent leadership and energy needed to expand philanthropic support, strengthen donor and alumni engagement, and further advance the College鈥檚 mission and future success.鈥�

鈥淚 believe this is a pivotal and inspiring moment in 黑料传送门’s history with the leadership of President Treadwell, incoming 黑料传送门 Foundation Board of Directors Chair Clare Cusack, and incoming SGAA (黑料传送门 Alumni Association) president, Rita Rogan,鈥� said Campbell. 鈥淚 see a future filled with incredible opportunities. I am thrilled to join this wonderful community and be a strategic partner with campus colleagues, alumni, corporate partners, and friends in advancing far-reaching and impactful initiatives for 黑料传送门鈥檚 future.鈥�

Campbell holds a master鈥檚 degree in management from Faulkner University and a master鈥檚 and doctorate in higher education administration from Auburn University. She completed Harvard鈥檚 Institute for Educational Management program, holds a graduate certificate in College and University Teaching, and received a Fulbright U.S. International Education Administrator Award.

鈥�

Isidro “Sid” Bosch, left, with students. (Photo provided)

Students in the Biodiversity and Geology of the Coral Reefs course spent part of the winter in the Alumni Pool training for snorkeling, free diving, and taking measurements underwater in preparation for their spring break research trip in the Bahamas.

Isidro 鈥淪id鈥� Bosch, professor of biology, and Jeffrey Over, distinguished professor of geological sciences, led 15 students during the March break week as they examined coral, clam fossils, fish, and other marine features off San Salvador Island. Their goal was to better understand how hurricanes, ocean warming, human activity, and coral-specific diseases have damaged the reef-life over time.

In the classroom, students first learn coral reef ecology and geology, then develop research projects to conduct in the Bahamas. Upon returning to the classroom, students analyze their findings and present them at GREAT Day.

鈥淭his course provides students an opportunity to do meaningful research and to think like scientists,鈥� said Bosch. 鈥淓ach year, we add to our long-term data record of coral abundance, species composition, and fish communities. We conduct research projects that highlight trends we鈥檝e encountered. It鈥檚 amazing that students can see all these changes over time.鈥�

Emily Szczublewski 鈥�27, a geology major and biology minor, was part of a team that studied the history of moon snails in the Caribbean. Moon snails feed on clams by boring a hole through the shell and sucking out the insides. Students dove to retrieve sand samples, which were later sifted for clam fossils with the tell-tale holes in their shell.

鈥淚 was not in my comfort zone in the ocean, but I knew I could do it. I did. And it was amazing,鈥� said Szczublewski, who plans to pursue geology in graduate school and her career. 鈥淚 can take this beyond 黑料传送门. I know how to do these skills that you can鈥檛 really learn in a classroom. It鈥檚 phenomenal.鈥�

Coral loss had the most striking outcome this year, according to Bosch. Most of the coral reefs around San Salvador Island are covered by algae, which covers more than 50 percent of the habitat, compared to 2 to 5 percent by corals. In the 1970s, the habitat was 50 percent coral cover, said Bosch. There is also evidence of declining fish populations, including parrotfish, which clean coral of algae.

鈥淭hese ecological systems are changing radically,鈥� said Bosch. 鈥淲e have seen this happen in 15 years, and that鈥檚 a big, fast change. As professors, we can either steer students away from this destruction of a beautiful ecosystem or research and document it, and start thinking about what can be done to bring the coral back.鈥�

.

Students examine a heart urchin. (Photo provided by Jeffrey Over)

Students and faculty prepare for a snorkel session. (Photo provided by Jeffrey Over)

Enroute to a research destination. (Photo provided by Jeffrey Over)

Gabe Bellamy ’27 exits a cave. (Photo provided by Jeffrey Over)

Brynn Westlake ’28, left, and Jacqueline Horsch ’29 record observations in their field notes. (Photo provided by Jeffrey Over)

The class. (Photo provided by Jeffrey Over)

Students walk and observe the geology of San Salvador Island. (Photo provided by Jeffrey Over)

Students conduct research. (Photo provided by Jeffrey Over)

Hannah Leichtner ’27 holds up a milk conch. (Photo provided by Emily Szczublewski ’27)

Clam fossils show a hole made by a moon snail. (Photo provided by Jeffrey Over)

Wilhelmina Maame Takyi 鈥�28 (黑料传送门/Photographer)

黑料传送门 students are working in food insecurity, sustainability, and other fields while earning money as part of the .

Students selected for the ESSC engage in public service for 300 hours during the academic year鈥攊n cohorts of their choosing鈥攐n campus or at a community-based host site. Students are paid an hourly wage while learning professional and lifelong skills. The ESSC was launched in 2024 by Governor Kathy Hochul.

Biology major Wilhelmina Maame Takyi 鈥�28, an international student from Ghana, spent last summer as part of the 鈥渉ealthy futures鈥� cohort, counting and organizing the inventory of 黑料传送门鈥檚 Knights Harvest Food Pantry in the MacVittie College Union. Takyi also helped student pantry coordinators transition to using software dedicated to food pantry use for a Fall 2026 launch. The food pantry offers food and hygiene items to any student in need.

鈥淥ur students are very service-minded, so the Empire State Service Corps is a really good fit,鈥� said Jessie Stack Lombardo, executive director of 黑料传送门鈥檚 Career Design Center and coordinator of 黑料传送门鈥檚 ESSC program. 鈥淲e already have a lot of students who are out in the community doing volunteer work. Their ability to be paid for it aligns with the college鈥檚 goal of ensuring every student can participate in these kinds of service opportunities. There are students who would like to volunteer and engage in service, but can’t afford to quit their part-time jobs to do so. This program allows students to use their skills, to learn, and to make a difference.鈥�

Twenty-six students have participated in the program since its inception, serving as K-12 tutors, student success coaches, sustainability advocates, and working to alleviate food insecurity.

Stack Lombardo hopes the number of 黑料传送门 service corps students will double in 2026鈥�27, as Hochul recently announced additional cohorts and has expanded corps annual membership from 500 to 1,000 SUNY students. Eligible ESSC members may also enroll in AmeriCorps, another key component of the program, allowing them to earn an additional education award of up to $1,400 upon completing their initial 300 hours of service. The new cohorts include:

• civic engagement
• education
• environmental stewardship
• veterans and military family outreach
• healthy futures

Takyi hopes to continue her placement at the food pantry in 2026鈥�27.

鈥淚 loved it so much, I chose to stay on as a volunteer,鈥� says Takyi. 鈥淚 knew about the food pantry, but not the true significance. When I went behind the scenes and saw the effort my fellow students put in counting and packing bags and coordinating items and student pickups, I was happy to do this and wanted to help.鈥�