Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023

The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 Center for Community-Based Learning recognized 13 outstanding students for their volunteer service and considerable lasting contributions to the greater community with the Osprey Community Engagement Medallion.

The following Spring 2022 Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 graduates received the Osprey Community Engagement Medallion:

• Brin Balcom, a Brooks College of Health (BCH) public health major, worked as a CNA at Baptist Medical Center South and interned with Northeast Florida Area Health Education Center.
• Deanna Bartley, a BCH health administration major and minor in leadership, served as a Healthy Osprey Ambassador and part of the Healthy Osprey Living Learning Community.
• Samantha Burke, a BCH nutrition and dietetics major, volunteered with Meals on Wings, advocated for Hunger-Free Campus Bill, served as president of the Nutrition and Dietetics Leadership Association, and collaborated to host events with Feeding Northeast Florida.
• Nichole Cohen, a College of Arts and Sciences (COAS) English/interdisciplinary studies major, served as a child literacy advocate mentoring students a part of First Readers and Communities in Schools.
• Destiny Cole, a COAS and Hicks Honors College psychology major and triple minor in American Sign Language, human resources & leadership, volunteered with the English Language Program, served as President of the National Residence Hall Honorary, and researched the impacts of Zoom on social connections.
• Mahelet Dalke, a COAS biology major with a concentration in biomedical sciences and a minor in psychology, served as a Supplemental Instruction leader, medical scribe at Baptist Emergency Center, research assistant with the TIE Lab, and interned with the Preventing Alzheimer’s through Cognitive Training Lab.
• Katherine Hall, a COAS and Hicks Honors College political science major with a concentration in public law and a minor in literature, volunteered with the free humanitarian Legal Aid Clinic to support Afghan refugees, served as associate with the juvenile diversion program with Clay County Clerk’s Office, and worked as an employee and former volunteer with Teen Court of Clay County.
• Bonnie Leonce, a College of Education and Human Services American Sign Language and English Interpreting major, served as American Sign Language interpreter to support the Barbadian deaf community in receiving COVID-19 information through the National Vaccination Program, trained and provided interpreting services for various Barbadian government agencies, and a served as a member of the Calypso project to improve the lives of the Barbadian deaf community.
• Chloe Lopez, a COAS and Hicks Honors College political science major with a concentration in international relations and comparative politics, facilitated the Honors Colloquium and volunteered with a national non-profit political action group.
• Gabriella Marquez, a COAS criminal justice major and minor in leadership, interned with the Mayor’s Victim Assistance Advisory Council, as well as hosted International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and community-engaged activities as President of the Latin American Student Organization.
• Elena Pellumbi, a COAS double major in international studies and political science with a concentration in public law and minors in environmental studies and statistics for non-math majors, was selected for Leadership Jacksonville Next Generation, interned with the Office of the State Attorney for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, volunteered with the NOAA Marine Debris Program through the Environmental Leadership Program, and conducted a study abroad to Albania to intern with a civil lawyer in the Albanian legal system.
• Atalia Vazquez, a BCH nutrition and dietetics major, participated in the Environmental Leadership Program, served as International Liaison with NutriNews, volunteered for Meals on Wings and the Ogier Gardens, mentored in the Apples to Apples mentoring program, and implemented SWAP system in a mobile food pantry for Feeding Northeast Florida.
• Rodrica Wright, a COAS communications studies major with a Coggin College of Business minor in business management, volunteered with and recruited volunteers for mobile pantries associated with Feeding Northeast Florida.

Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023 is a community engagement classified campus by the Carnegie Foundation for Teaching. This is a prestigious honor that only 10% of degree-granting institutions hold. Community-Based Transformational Learning is the backbone of Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û2023’s community engagement commitment as it provides students with rich, real-world opportunities that enhance student learning, personal development and civic involvement while also contributing to the enrichment and well-being of the greater Jacksonville community and beyond.