Day 1: An Unforgettable Kickoff

Every activity on December 27th was designed to unite hundreds of individuals from different chapters into a single, unified brotherhood. At the convention, there was a regular schedule that included thought-provoking Learning Labs for everyone, including guests, alumni, and active brothers. We welcomed the growth offered through these interactive sessions, an investment of materials and a branching of knowledge that we hoped to bring back to our home chapter, Mu Lambda. Notably during the Kickoff Celebration and Ice Cream Social, we were immersed in the roar of voices from every territory, a sea of chapter letters and one-of-a-kind merchandise. From sharing a scoop of ice cream with a brother from California, we were struck by how effortlessly APO erases distance.

Day 2: Governance and Procedure

Day 2 highlighted the importance of democratic processes and Leadership in Alpha Phi Omega. As Voting Delegates in representation of the Mu Lambda Chapter at the URochester, we faced the formal, solemn responsibility of the Legislative Session, where the future of the fraternity is actively forged. As first-time delegates, it was transformative to be in the room where it happens, where chapters from across the country conduct official business, elect the National Board of Directors, and vote on proposals that will guide APO for years to come. Reflecting on having spent 12 hours on parliamentary procedure, this was a day of intense focus and obligation on shaping the fraternity’s future. We were truly living the full spectrum of APO leadership.

Day 3: The Heart of APO

Day 3 was unique as there were designated segments in our itinerary dedicated to Service, the foundational pillar of Alpha Phi Omega. We had the wonderful opportunity to work alongside brothers on impactful service projects with esteemed partners such as Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Additionally, there was an on-site blood drive to donate to the American Red Cross, and opportunities through Special Olympics, as well as Gift of Life. The premise of community building continued into the evening with the Swag Exchange and Community Reception. The concept is simple: bring a piece of APO merchandise from your chapter and trade it with someone else. Looking back, this simple act of exchange is a celebration of our diverse chapter identities and a fun, sustainable way to build connections.

Day 4: Centennial Celebration

December 30th had finally arrived. This was the day we had all been waiting for, the grand culmination of the entire event: Alpha Phi Omega’s 100th birthday. This was not just the final day of a convention, but a once-in-a-century celebration, and we all knew we were part of something truly special. What was incredibly memorable was the “APO through the Ages Luncheon.” Seated in a grand hall, we listened, as a panel of Past National Presidents shared behind-the-scenes stories and revelations in our fraternity’s history. As evening fell, the excitement escalated with the Celebration Banquet. The pride in the room was prominent as chapters and individuals were recognized with national awards, and we officially welcomed the newly elected National Board of Directors who would lead us into our second century. But the moment that will stick with us forever was the Toast Song. Standing side-by-side around the perimeter of the space, you could feel the collective breath before the first note. In that moment, we were not just hundreds of members, we were one voice. During the Birthday Party, a cake was unveiled, and we all joined in the loudest, most heartfelt rendition of “Happy Birthday” we have ever heard. It felt special to be present at the moment APO officially stepped into its next 100 years.

Looking back on those four impactful days in Philadelphia, it is clear that the Centennial Convention was so much more than a milestone. It was a living, breathing demonstration of our cardinal principles. This convention was a powerful reaffirmation of the values that have guided Alpha Phi Omega for a century.

As we departed Philadelphia, we felt a renewed sense of purpose. We, the active members, are the torchbearers for APO’s next 100 years. Back in Rochester, we are carrying this momentum into action, through our ongoing service work to the community, new local outreach initiatives and sustained partnerships. We are also preparing to host our upcoming tri-sectionals conference in March, bringing together brothers from across the region together, just as we were united in Philadelphia. The Centennial Convention is a reminder that our work is not yet done, and APO’s legacy is not only maintained at the national level, but built within our local chapter as well. It is now our turn to carry the spirit of that Centennial Celebration in our hearts, to continue pushing the boundaries of Leadership, Friendship, and Service, and to make our own mark on this fraternity’s history.

written by Madison Zeng & Sree Chatterjee, members of Alpha Phi Omega, co-ed national service fraternity

The post More than a Milestone: Journey Through APO’s 100th Anniversary Convention appeared first on Bridging the Gap.

A major highlight for me was the range of sessions centered on women’s rights, education access, intergenerational collaboration and more. I especially appreciated that several workshops were led by Newman Civic Fellows. Hearing directly from peers making change on their campuses made everything feel more real and achievable. Those student-led spaces encouraged honest conversations, collaboration, and new connections, reminding me that progress happens when we learn from and support one another.

Beyond the structured and formal sessions, community bonding moments like the mocktail hour and river cruise gave us time to build friendships, network, and reflect together. I left the convening feeling empowered, supported, and excited for the year ahead, as well as more confident in my ability to contribute to meaningful change as a Newman Civic Fellow.

written by Ella French, TOUR Lead Tutor

The post Newman Civic Fellows Convening: A Student Reflection appeared first on Bridging the Gap.

Since 2021, Professor Stella Wang has partnered with the Ganondagan State Historic Site and the Digital Scholarship department at River Campus Libraries to explore the human and ecological histories of Rochester, especially its Haudenosaunee roots. Out of this partnership emerged , which Stella describes as “an interactive map that provides information about the natural world around campus, […] encouraging self-guided nature walks for a range of health, environmental, and relationship benefits while foregrounding the university-Native-community collaboration.” The map is continuously updated each semester based on Story Maps created by students in Being Homo Sapiens Sapiens, and topic-specific research pieces by students in the translation course – all guided by the continued collaboration with Ganondagan.����

Charley Pecora ‘29 shared that she takes frequent nature walks herself, but going on a campus nature walk led by Trish Corcoran, Onondowaga/Seneca naturalist and writer, helped her connect with the natural environment of Rochester, which will be her home for the next four years. Charley’s reflection nods to the importance of fostering relationships not only with local residents, but with nature.����

On October 30, students presented one of their course projects – an individual Story Maps digital writing project with a companion, hands-on, multimodal project involving a small canvas sling bag and a prior visual design workshop with Cole Reuben, Onondowaga/Seneca historian and interpreter at the Rock Foundations, Rochester Museum of Science Center, and Ganondagan. They set up their presentations at tables in Lam Square, allowing for intimate conversations about their research. Stella, Trish, and Blair Tinker (GIS-specialist, who ran a map-making workshop for students’ Story Maps) were also on site to chat and add further context to the students’ work.����

Refreshments prepared by Saul Schuster and Haley Christoff of Turtle Island Homestead added an additional layer to the event, highlighting the cultural significance of White Corn, a staple crop of the Haudenosaunee. Unlike sweet corn, White Corn is high in protein and has a lower glycemic index. Additionally, it can’t be eaten “green.” Rather, it needs to be dried out, shucked, and cooked in hardwood ashes to remove the hull. All of this is done by hand. Saul and Haley featured this staple crop in a butternut squash bisque with kernels of White Corn and cornbread, alongside a coconut chia pudding and sweetgrass and sage tea. Saul and Haley explained that White Corn represents resiliency, with heirloom seeds dating back at least 1,400 years in spite of European colonialist attempts to destroy the crop. “You destroy the crop, you destroy the people,” Saul said. Preserving and cooking with White Corn is a way of connecting with ancestors, past and present. Saul joked about meeting Haudenosaunee elders who will insist that they are making corn soup wrong! Everyone has their own recipes, which reveal personal and communal (hi)stories.����

Through guided campus nature walks and embellishing canvas sling bags, students have the opportunity to develop their own relationship with these histories. For her project, Alexa Prouty ‘29 researched the environmental benefits of repurposing old buildings. On her sling bag, she paid homage to a dead tree that she saw on the guided walk with Trish. She learned that dead trees can be used as homes for animals, which she represented with a Labubu doll keychain. Far from detritus, the dead tree is still integral to the environment. This is in stark contrast with the human-made trash that pollutes the environment, which Alexa represented with glittery sequins at the bottom of the sling bag.����

For Charley’s project, she researched the Red Oak, a tree indigenous to Turtle Island (North America) that has evolved to be highly adaptive to the effects of climate change. Although the Red Oak is not immune to the risks of climate change, it is known for its abilities to resist fire, retain water, and host a large community of insects, birds, and other animals. Charley reflected that the Red Oak could help us learn how to help ourselves – only take the resources that we need and leave the rest to other species in our community.��

To learn more about the groups featured in this blog, see:

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written by Megan Lovely, Program Manager of Community-Engaged Learning

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This year LEAP has been made possible thanks to CCE’s partnership with Allendale Columbia School, our wonderful and dynamic LEAP staff, our reliable snack donor, and the Warner School of Education for their unwavering support!

LEAP End-of-Year Celebration

On April 26, 2025, Glenn Cerosaletti, Director of the Center for Community Engagement, joined the Learning, Exploring At Play (LEAP) staff, along with the kids and their families, to joyfully celebrate the students’ achievements during the LEAP graduation. The event marked a meaningful close to the year, highlighting the growth, dedication, and community spirit shared by all involved.

See our LEAP Graduation ’24-’25 video

LEAP Field Day: Learning Beyond the Classroom

At the end of the academic year, the LEAP staff organized a Field Day to give students the opportunity to explore new and engaging forms of learning beyond the traditional Saturday sessions. The event allowed kids to experience hands-on activities, outdoor games, and creative challenges that promote fun, teamwork, as well as curiosity in a relaxed environment.

LEAP All-Staff Training

Before the commencement of LEAP Saturday sessions, all LEAP staff are trained on classroom management, mood regulation, creating effective communication skills, and team building.

The Associate Director, Team Leaders, Tutors, and LEAP Kids Celebrate Together

On April 26, 2025, the LEAP graduation was filled with joy and pride as Dr. Halima Therese Gbaguidi, Associate Director of the Center for Community Engagement, joined the kindergarten through fifth grade teams to celebrate the remarkable progress of the LEAP students. The event captured the spirit of growth and community, with smiles, laughter, and heartfelt recognition of the students’ achievements.

written by Dr. Halima Gbaguidi, CCE Associate Director

The post LEAP (Learning & Exploring at Play) Program Highlights – June 2025 appeared first on Bridging the Gap.

Earl Bumagat

Community Organization: TRANSFORM Research Center at Mt. Hope Family Center

Project Title: “Disseminating Information with TRANSFORM”��

Community Advisor: Dr. Catherine Cerulli��

Faculty Advisor: Stephanie Ashenfelder

“I worked with Transform Translational research…. and what they do is …conduct research into…prevention and intervention methods for child abuse and maltreatment…Throughout the semester I have worked on editing their unused footage and clips into shorter videos and clips that could be used for more accessible, more learnable, and more engaging content. We want to use these clips, post it across their social media platforms, and… tie it in with their social media monthly initiatives and campaigns that they go into…A lot of it will be for a backlog but it’ll be content that’ll be useful for the future.” – Earl Bumagat

Audrey Chung

Community Organization: GiGi’s Playhouse Rochester��

Project Title: “Strength in Motion: Enhancing Motor Skills & Independence in Children with Down Syndrome”��

Community Advisor: Haley Everett��

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Stephen Sulkes MD

“So I’ve been working with GiGi’s Playhouse, a nonprofit down the road that works with people with Down syndrome…I’ve been working with the kids’ fitness and cooking programs, and testing their motor skills [with] different exercises and food preparation. The fitness mainly works on… flexibility, endurance and motor skills.….. People with Down syndrome have low muscle tone…..which means they need constant activity and movement to sustain their muscle … We’re basically testing their motor development and how we can introduce these habits at a young age so that they learn how to maintain a good lifestyle.” – Audrey Chung

Johari Hemphill��

Community Organization: Archive of Black History & Culture (ARHC) under the Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County’s Local History & Genealogy Division��

Project Title: “The ‘Divine 9’ and First Archive Collections Project”��

Community Advisor: Antoine Mcdonald��

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Molly Ball

“My work was getting some archives training and helping them [ARHC] process some of their first four collections, one of them being the Bobby Johnson collection, who was a local poet and activist. [These archives] have been or you can go access them at the local library … Additionally, we’re working on finishing the Charles Price collection… Another part of my work was reaching out to some collections that we identify as being essential to the archive, one of them being the National Panhellenic Council, otherwise known as the Divine Nine. [The Divine Nine] is a group of nine historically Black Greek letter organizations: five fraternities and four sororities, that all have chapters here established in the greater Rochester area that have been around as early as the [1940s.] So a large part of my work was reaching out to them, creating an email template….. identifying an assessment of what materials they have, what we need and what we want, and then creating a timeline of how we’re gonna gather materials and then process them and make them accessible to the public.” – Johari Hemphill

Sab Lin

Community Organization: Girls Rock! Rochester��

Project Title: “Visions and Paradoxes of a Feminist Nonprofit and Social Movement”��

Community Advisor: Amanda Ashley��

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kristin Doughty

“I did my work on Girls Rock Rochester, which is a local nonprofit organization that is also a social movement with over 100 camps across the US and internationally…I first started volunteering there 2 or 3 years ago and since then it’s expanded into a much bigger project….[For my Capstone, I decided] to put on a community event for trans visibility which I hosted about a week and a half ago and the point of it was just to create a safe space for trans youth and… just come together, grab a snack, have some community….” – Sab Lin

Aliza Lopez��

Community Organization: Kids Thrive 585��

Project Title: “The Nexus of DEI & Health Literacy: Democratizing Cultural Health Resources and Workshops for Diverse Youth in Rochester”��

Community Advisor: Dr. Megan Lasaponara MD��

Faculty Advisor: Dr. April Luehmann

“So for [my project,] the question was how can we promote cultural health in RCSD.… because …standardized exam results…, as well as…health literacy rates in the Rochester City School District are pretty low, especially for marginalized populations such as Latino and Black students. I wanted to try to find…a way that we can better appeal to them and make content and material that’s more engaging and make sure that it really applies to them, so that they can… increase their health literacy rate and increase their health outcomes…So the first thing that I tried to make was a resource navigator. I put together a list of resources [that] I could classify… into two different categories. One of them was virtual resources, so…databases of different phone providers that serve marginalized demographics, such as, for example, databases that serve the Latino population. [The second category] is in-person resources, so Rochester has quite a few community-based clinics such as those for BIPOC or LGBTQ populations…all of these platforms and resources would be listed on the organization [Kids Thrive 585]’s website…The second part [of my project, is the] lessons and workshops that would be done at schools. I want to create a written report of recommendations and potential frameworks that the school districts, as well as community colleges, can use if they’re trying to revise their curriculum or if they’re trying to make more health-related activities for students.” – Aliza Lopez

Jiola Paco

Community Partner: Arnett House

Project Title: “Increasing Job Readiness in Unhoused LGBTQ+ and Trafficked Youth”

Community Advisor: Kelly Sciarratta

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Stefanie K. Dunning.��

“My project is increasing job readiness in unhoused LGBTQ+ and trafficked youth. LGBTQ+ youth are at a 120% higher risk of homelessness. There are also many unmet needs within this community, 17% and 18% of these needs are emotional stability and support, and employment, respectively. So I decided to work on the employment aspect because I am a student interviewer for the Ģ����ý and I want to use my skills where I can, so I created this ‘getting rid of job application stress’ workshop…and then, at the end, we’re doing a thrifting trip with CCE funding in order to get them job appropriate attire and then we’re going to do a fashion show when we get those items. We also do self-confidence workshops…this just helps them visualize the end goal in order for them to take the steps to move towards it.” – Jiola Paco��

Suzanna Rainbolt��

Community Partner: Rochester Sexual & Reproductive Justice Taskforce (Roc SRJ)��

Project Title: “Let’s Talk Ģ����ý Sex: Focusing on Community-Based Information System to Rethink Sexual Health Information”��

Community Advisor: Jilian Quigley

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Rachel O’Donnell

Paige Schneider��

Community Partner: Rochester Ecology Partners��

Project Title: “Youth Environmental Health Education in Rochester”

Community Advisor: Christopher Widmaier��

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sandra H. Jee, MD, MPH

Zihan Wang��

Community Partner: Brightstar Community��

Project Title: “The Impact of Street-Level Outreach on Local Economic Communities: Exploring Economic Stability Through Grassroots Engagement”��

Community Advisor: Sue Kirby��

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kristin Doughty

These students have gone above and beyond by applying their education to community work outside of the classroom and putting what they’ve learned during their time at U of R into meaningful action. We can’t wait to see what these students go on to do and we’re confident that they’ll continue to succeed and thrive, as they’ve already made sustainable positive social change and left their mark on the Rochester community.

If you’re a student interested in pursuing the Community-Engaged Learning Certificate or a faculty member interested in receiving a Community-Engaged Learning Course Operating or Course Development Grant, feel free to email cel@ur.rochester.edu with questions or go to the CEL page of CCE’s website to learn more.��

written by��Lily Bencivenga, CCE Administrative Coordinator

��

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Prior to the start of Compact25, Drs. Gbaguidi and Nelms attended The Research University Civic Engagement Network (TRUCEN). TRUCEN allows Campus Compact active members to share information, perspectives, and tactics for how research institutions promote civic engagement in their communities and campuses. Day 1 (March 29) focused on new member orientation and networking, followed by an opening plenary cocktail reception and a welcome dinner at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.

On Day 2, the group departed for Emory University from Marriott Marquis early in the morning. They spent the full day at Emory, whose hospitality was outstanding. After some welcome introductions from the TRUCEN leadership committee, the group broke into different deep-dive workshop sessions to discuss “civic and community engagement during turbulent times.” Members in their respective workshops came together to discuss, address, and share insights into the most pressing issues in their collective work.

After a top-notch lunch, participants dove into the “Resistance, Resilience and Healing as a Community Engagement Professional.” This session allowed members to acknowledge and process the vulnerabilities, risks, and challenges they are navigating in higher education and across communities. TRUCEN members had to select one of three sessions whose primary focus was to explore different approaches for recognizing the stressors and working towards healing and resilience. Dr. Gbaguidi selected the “Story Circles” session facilitated by Lynn Blanchard, the director of the Carolina Center for Public Service at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. At that workshop, she was reminded of the power and value of storytelling as a listener and a hearer, which aligned with the presentation Lovely would be giving at Compact25. During the break, some students also gave a tour of Emory University and provided some insightful context.

Lovely joined Drs. Gbaguidi and Nelms for the first day of Compact25 on March 31 and enjoyed a powerful performance from the Atlanta Women’s Chorus.��

At the networking dinner, Dr. Gbaguidi made some connections with professionals in the field. The majority at the table shared it was their first time in Atlanta and suggested they go for a city excursion. One of the women who lived in Atlanta volunteered to take them for a city tour. Dr. Gbaguidi created a WhatsApp group to organize the outing, and the group grew from four to twelve participants from different states and institutions. It was an incredible way to engage with the Atlanta community, observe, continue the conversation, and connect with professionals in different fields.

On the last day of the conference, Lovely had the opportunity to present an author’s talk for her forthcoming book, . Drawing from over 200 stories, interviews, and photographs, this book is an in-depth study of community building at a Baltimore City farmers market. “The best way to learn about this book is to experience it,” she told the 28 conference participants in her breakout session. Participants were guided through a storytelling and art-making exchange based on the book’s Story Seeds engagements. They then used these stories to identify a shared sense of community, and brainstormed how to facilitate storytelling in their own communities on and off campus to cultivate belonging, unity, and civic engagement. Participants identified a range of applications for storytelling, including using it to facilitate connections among volunteers at a community garden; as an entrypoint for difficult dialogues; and archiving university programs. One participant said that she learned more about fellow conference attendees in the five minutes of sharing stories than three days of networking, which emphasizes the connective power of focused conversation.

In summary, TRUCEN and Compact25 were excellent opportunities for professional development, to boost the visibility of the Center for Community Engagement and URochester, and to find ways to work and collaborate with others in the field. These annual conferences are just two avenues for professional development available to the Ģ����ý faculty, staff, and students now that the university is a member institution. More information can be found at .

written by��Megan Lovely, CCE’s Program Manager of Community-Engaged Learning & Dr. Halima Gbaguidi, CCE’s Associate Director

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At the Ģ����ý (UR), the EWB chapter is an active and passionate group of students who apply their engineering knowledge to real-world problems. Their mission is to not only enhance their technical skills but also create lasting positive change in both global and local communities.

How Engineers Without Borders Helps the Ģ����ý Community

While EWB is primarily known for its international work, the organization also makes a significant impact on the UR campus and the surrounding Rochester area. Here’s how:

1. Hands-on Learning for Students – EWB gives engineering students at UR the opportunity to work on real projects, designing and implementing sustainable solutions that have a direct impact on people’s lives.
2. Leadership and Collaboration – Students develop leadership, project management, and teamwork skills by working with mentors, faculty, and local communities.
3. Community Outreach – Beyond global projects, the UR chapter engages in local initiatives, such as mentoring STEM students, improving local infrastructure, and partnering with other nonprofit organizations in the Rochester area.

Notable Contributions by EWB at UR

The Ģ����ý’s EWB chapter has undertaken several impressive projects, including:

1. Water Infrastructure Projects in the Dominican Republic

One of UR’s EWB flagship initiatives has focused on improving water accessibility in rural Dominican Republic communities. The team has worked to design and implement sustainable water filtration and distribution systems, ensuring that residents have consistent access to clean and safe drinking water.

2. Sustainable Energy Solutions in Central America

In partnership with local communities, UR’s EWB has contributed to solar energy projects in regions with unreliable power. By installing solar panels and training residents on maintenance, they’ve helped provide sustainable electricity solutions.

3. Local STEM Education and Outreach

EWB students at UR frequently collaborate with Rochester-area schools, hosting STEM workshops and mentoring young students interested in engineering. They inspire the next generation of problem-solvers by demonstrating how engineering can be used for humanitarian efforts.

Why EWB Matters

EWB is more than just an engineering club—it’s a movement that empowers students to make a tangible difference in the world. By tackling real-world challenges, students at the URochester develop technical expertise while creating solutions that improve lives. Their work not only benefits communities in need but also enhances their own professional and personal growth.

If you’re an engineering student at UR or someone passionate about global development, consider getting involved with EWB. Whether through fundraising, technical design, or outreach, every contribution helps drive impactful change.

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Meet the Adelante Juntos 2024–2025 Executive Board:

(Left to right) Jonathan Bermudez ’27, Drea Restitullo ’27, Jazmine Cabriales ’27, Jaydee Ortez ’25

Jonathan Bermudez (’27), the Communication Chair, emphasizes that the organization provides a “unique opportunity for change and a way to uplift the local Rochester community with our students here at the URochester.” He adds, “the sense of purpose that comes from building relationships between students and the local Latine community has been at the core of my commitment to this organization!”��

Event Spotlight: Tienditas de Mi País:

Every spring, Adelante Juntos hosts Tienditas de Mi País, an annual event where they gather local and student-owned Latine businesses, services, and spaces in a flea market-style setup at Hirst Lounge. The event encourages students, faculty, and community members to network and foster connections.

Jaydee Ortez (’25), the Programming Chair, says Tienditas de Mi País is her favorite event. It reminds her of “la pulga” (flea market) from her childhood, and she especially enjoys connecting with the local artists and photographers.

Recent Initiatives:

Adelante Juntos regularly partners with community organizations such as the Father Tracy Advocacy Center, the Western New York Coalition of Farmworker Serving Agencies, and the Al Sigl Community of Agencies. The organization hosts food and hygiene drives, maintains community gardens, and organizes college workshops for local students.

During Fall 2024, Adelante Juntos has already achieved significant milestones:

• Through the Empower Her Initiative, they donated all menstrual product kits to the WNY Coalition of Farmworker Serving Agencies.
• They also partnered with the Al Sigl Community of Agencies to work on a community gardening project.

Recently, the organization collaborated with Nayeliz Santiago from the Monroe County Young Democrats to host a voting and registration information session. They also volunteered at the Memorial Art Gallery’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration Day.Upcoming Events and Service Initiatives:��

• Wednesday, October 23rd – Adelante Juntos is taking over the Spanish and Latine Students association Weekly Noche
• Friday, October 25th 3:00pm-6:00pm- Morado: The Color of Bruises, The Color of Resistance in the May Room

Stay connected with Adelante Juntos! Follow them on Instagram or email them at uradelantejuntos@gmail.com if you’re interested in supporting or joining the organization.

The post Adelante Juntos: Bridging the Gap between UR students and the local Latine community appeared first on Bridging the Gap.

“This summer, I decided to dedicate my time to giving back to my community in Arizona by volunteering and interning with the AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute. AGUILA is a pre-college program that supports students—primarily from minority communities—in navigating the college application process and preparing for success in high school. This organization was instrumental in my own journey; it’s how I discovered the Ģ����ý and found the motivation to apply, ultimately securing financial aid. I wanted to help more students like me find the guidance they needed.

Becoming an RA and Mentoring Future College Students

My most rewarding experience this summer was volunteering as a Resident Advisor (RA) for AGUILA’s Summer Symposium at Northern Arizona University. For three days, I had the incredible opportunity to mentor ten high school senior girls while they got a taste of college dorm life. As someone who was once in their shoes, navigating the challenges of college preparation and figuring out the future, I could connect with them on a deeper level. Many of the girls were nervous about college and carried the weight of generational trauma. I noticed that having someone who looked like them who shared similar experiences and faced the same uncertainties made a huge impact in their experience during the symposium.

Throughout those three days, I did my best to answer their questions about college and encouraged them to consider what they need to think about before choosing a college. I shared my own story and struggles, showing them that it’s possible to overcome obstacles and succeed. It was amazing to see them open up, trust me with their vulnerabilities, and feel a sense of hope. We’ve stayed in touch since, and I’m grateful to have built lasting connections with these bright young women. They ended up being one of the last people I saw before leaving Arizona to finish my final year of college, and their heartfelt hugs and words of encouragement for my senior year still warm my heart whenever I think about them.

Continuing My Involvement as an Intern

After the Summer Symposium, I felt a strong desire to continue supporting AGUILA. I reached out to Mrs. H—known fondly as Momma H—to ask how I could be more involved. This led to an internship with the institute for the rest of the summer! Since I have graphic design skills, one of my main tasks was helping them create digital content to spread the word about future events. I designed several website pages, organized materials for upcoming events, and even helped them move into their new office space. Additionally, I tabled at nearby high schools to encourage more students to join AGUILA and supported another event for high school students and their parents from across the Valley of Arizona.

This summer, I not only had the chance to give back to an organization that has greatly impacted my life, but I also got to be part of helping other students find their paths and pursue their dreams. It was an incredibly fulfilling experience, and I’m excited to continue supporting my community in any way I can, which is exactly what finishing my degree will do!”

The post Keeping Community Alive: Juliana’s Summer Impact in Arizona appeared first on Bridging the Gap.