Social Justice Scholars Preparing To Serve

Chaiya Renfroe is ready to spend another semester helping others as part of the Meg O'Connell Social Justice Scholars & Mentors program. "I enjoyed what I did in the fall and am looking forward to doing it again. I'll work at the Community Care Hub filling in wherever I'm needed... at the desk, at the food pantry, helping students with their appointments... whatever is needed."

Renfroe is a member of a select group of Social Justice Scholars & Mentors who met recently with Program Director Dr. Annie Tuttle to go over plans for this semester. The program was created one year ago when Eric Allyn presented Onondaga Community College with $1 million to start the "Meg O'Connell Center for Social Justice and Community Impact" in honor of his wife who is OCC's former Interim President and Chair of the Board of Trustees. The money  provided support for current and future students in volunteer and service-learning opportunities. Through these opportunities, students use their undergraduate experience to support local efforts, gain work experience, and use their expertise to improve our community.

The program provides financial assistance for 10 first-generation scholars who volunteer, and 10 social justice scholar mentors who help scholars balance their school and social justice commitments, encourage academic success, and serve as a go-to person for support and encouragement.

Renfroe will have plenty of duties to juggle throughout the spring semester. The Nottingham High School graduate, who is a Humanities & Social Sciences major, is also an RA, an Ambassador for the Educational Opportunity Program who will soon be going into local high schools to speak with students, and a Student Ambassador who gives prospective students and families tours on campus. "I'm very big on conversations and being social. I like to engage with students and let them know they can ask me anything. I'm always emphasizing all of the resources we have like The Learning Center. There are a lot of resources here on campus people need to know about."

This semester's Social Justice Scholars are planning to show off their work April 5 in the Gordon Great Room during the College's first-ever Social Justice Jam. It will be your opportunity to speak with them and learn about how they made the community a better place.

Below is a list of the Scholars and where they are volunteering:

• Muhammed Abedrabbah, Interfaith Works of CNY
• David Alexander, The Q Center
• Doreen Carbajal, Common Read Student Ambassador
• Alex Espitia, Eastern Farm Workers Association
• Glenna Jackson, YWCA Women's Center
• Salih Kaleel, Lazer Link Peer Mentoring Group
• Noor Noor, Lazer Link Peer Mentoring Program
• Saray Quevedo, Meals on Wheels
• Chaiya Renfroe, Community Care Hub
• Austin Simard, YWCA

The Social Justice Mentors for this semester are:

• Mohammad Afsar
• David Alexander
• Salih Khaleel
• Kat Mann
• Frances Perez-Nunn
• Maddie Shafer
• Shayne Turo
• Betheny Witherell