Student Profiles
Megan McElhaney '13
Hometown: Akron, Ohio
Major: Art and Environmental Studies
Career Objective: High School Art Teacher and/or Farmer
(1) How are you involved with civic engagement at Cornell?
I participated in a block break and Alternative Spring Break trip in 2010 and another Alternative Spring Break trip in 2012. I am on the executive board of Students Together Eradicating Poverty (STEP), I help out at Abbe Hills farms weekly if I can, and I participate in occasional service opportunities offered by the Civic Engagement Office. In 2012-2013, I will serve as the Civic Engagement Office’s Social Justice Coordinator.
(2) What motivates you to serve?
You know when you're carrying something heavy and can't open a door for yourself and someone comes along and opens the door for you, and for a brief moment you're both lighter and happier? That's what motivates me to serve. It's about passing the good. Someday (probably today) someone's going to pass good to me, so it's my job to keep it flowing.
(3) What event or accomplishment has been the highlight of your involvement with civic engagement at Cornell?
My favorite experience this year has been when STEP cooked dinner for the Willis Dady men's shelter in Cedar Rapids using donated vegetables from Abbe Hills (which we helped harvest) and ate with the men there. It was a great time, and I'm excited to go back this spring.
(4) What have you learned through service in the community?
I've learned that my hands can really make a difference in the world around me, which is an amazing and empowering lesson. I've also learned that there are so many willing hands out there!
(5) What is your favorite aspect of civic engagement at Cornell?
I like that there are service opportunities for every schedule. If you want to commit to service twice a week, there are opportunities for you! If you want to help out on special projects every couple months, there are opportunities for you!
Dan Carney ’14
Hometown: Mokena, Illinois
Major: History and Secondary Education
Career Objective: High school history teacher
(1) How are you involved with civic engagement at Cornell?
I am the resident assistant on Tarr 3, which is the Community Service Connect Floor. I am also a participant in the 2012 Alternative Spring Break trip to Joplin, Missouri, and a member of the service fraternity Sigma Kappa Psi.
(2) What motivates you to serve?
Community service has always been something I have felt very passionately about. I started doing community service in high school as a graduation requirement, and ever since then I knew this is something I wanted to continue. I am very fortunate and I think it’s important to give back to the community. Community service gives me such a feeling of pride, knowing that I can make a difference.
(3) What event or accomplishment has been the highlight of your involvement with civic engagement at Cornell?
The Civic Engagement Office has put on so many wonderful events, it is hard to pick a specific program. I feel fortunate to have such an asset at Cornell. As the community service RA, I am always looking for more opportunities for my floor to get involved.
(4) What have you learned through service in the community?
From the many service events and projects I have worked on, I have learned that though one person can begin to make a difference, in order to continue to make a significant impact, you need others’ passion for service. I also learned service takes patience. Some projects you can see the impact you had right away, other projects it takes longer. You need to look at the bigger picture to see the impact you really have.
(5) What is your favorite aspect of civic engagement at Cornell?
I really have enjoyed all the wonderful people I have met throughout my time serving. There are many extraordinary people who are making a difference in the world every day. I have been lucky to work with these people, and I hope to continue these new friendships.
Andrew Kinn ‘12
Hometown: South Milwaukee, WI
Major: ECB and Spanish
Career Objective: General Manager of a MLB Team
(1) How are you involved with civic engagement at Cornell?
I have been a member of Colleges Against Cancer for all four years at Cornell (2008-2012). My first year, I was a general member, then moved on to become a Sponsorship Committee chair, and finally spent the past two years as the Co-Coordinator of the chapter. I was also a member of the Connect Floor Living and Learning Community my freshman year.
(2) What motivates you to serve?
My overall motivation to serve is to create a better world and give something back to the community. More specific to my involvement in Colleges Against Cancer, my grandma battled cancer and I lost an uncle to the disease, so I became involved to help find a cure.
(3) What event or accomplishment has been the highlight of your involvement with civic engagement at Cornell?
The highlight of my civic engagement experience was the opening/luminaria ceremony at my first Relay For Life as a Co-Coordinator. Looking out at all the people who were there to fight back against the disease was truly inspiring, while the luminaria ceremony (where we remember those who have lost the battle against cancer) was very moving and emotional.
(4) What have you learned through service in the community?
The main thing that I learned through service in the community is where my passions lie. Through a variety of service work, I was able to learn what issues are important to me and how to create positive change. I have also learned that there are a lot of people out there who have a desire to do service but do not know how to get involved, so it is up to us to give them a push in the right direction.
(5) What is your favorite aspect of civic engagement at Cornell?
My favorite aspect of civic engagement at Cornell is that it has led to many meaningful relationships that otherwise may never have been built. You are with a group of people that have a common goal so conversations are started easily and relationships form naturally. I have made many friends at Cornell due to service work.
Molly Johnson ‘15
Hometown: Boulder, Colorado
Major: Undeclared
Career Objective: Work with Doctors Without Borders
(1) How are you involved with civic engagement at Cornell?
I have volunteered at St. Luke’s Hospital and the Community Health Free Clinic. I have spent my first year here at Cornell on the community service Connect Floor.
(2) What motivates you to serve?
I have been brought up with the idea of tikkun olam, repairing the world. This idea strengthens my desire to serve others. I have always felt a need to help those in my community and those who are not as fortunate as I have been in my life.
(3) What event or accomplishment has been the highlight of your involvement with civic engagement at Cornell?
The Civic Engagement Office helped me identify the opportunity to volunteer at St. Luke's Hospital, and it has been a great experience which I plan to continue.
(4) What have you learned through service in the community?
I have learned that serving the community is where I belong. Through service in the community, I have found that there are endless ways to get involved; there just needs to be a desire to make a difference in someone’s life.
(5) What is your favorite aspect of civic engagement at Cornell?
I love the family community that the Civic Engagement Office has built. I am honored to be a part of it!
Alex DiCicco ‘13
Hometown: Warwick, Rhode Island
Major: Psychology, Civic Engagement Minor
Career Objective: Undecided
(1) How are you involved with civic engagement at Cornell?
During my time at Cornell, civic engagement has played a large role in my co-curricular activities. I have been a middle school MENtor for the past three years, a Lunch Buddy for two years, a member on two Alternative Spring Break Trips, and a participant in Relay for Life for the past three years. I have served as a team leader for two years for Unified Sports Day. During the 2010-2011 year, I served as the resident assistant on the Community Service Connect Floor. I completed the Iowa Campus Compact AmeriCorps Program (ICAP) in my sophomore year. I also serve as the Student Volunteer Coordinator.
(2) What motivates you to serve?
I choose to serve because I love the Cornell and Mount Vernon community. I truly believe that we can make the world a better place by helping one another and by spending some time enhancing the quality of life for others. Also, I believe that service is a lot of fun.
(3) What event or accomplishment has been the highlight of your involvement with civic engagement at Cornell?
One of my greatest accomplishments through my involvement with civic engagement at Cornell has been the completion of the Angel Tree Project this past year. This project challenged me in many different ways and really gave me a better understanding of what organizing a project entails.
(4) What have you learned through service in the community?
My service experience in the Mount Vernon community has been crucial to my growth at Cornell. Through my involvement with the Mount Vernon Community Development Group, I have gained experience serving on multiple boards and committees, I have learned about the inner workings of the city and what kinds of issues arise, and I have learned how to orchestrate an event with many volunteers. In 2011, I served as the Chair of the Cabin Fever event and the Volunteer Recognition Event.
(5) What is your favorite aspect of civic engagement at Cornell?
I like how civic engagement at Cornell has given me the opportunity to work with people who have a similar passion and goal in mind. I have worked with many different personality types, have watched how others lead, and have gained a better understanding of leadership and service. I have loved my time and experiences with civic engagement at Cornell, and I am really excited to have this opportunity again in my senior year!
Jeff Butke '12
Hometown: Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Classical Studies
Career Objective: International Development
(1) How are you involved with civic engagement at Cornell?
Currently, I am a member of the Iowa Campus Compact AmeriCorps Program (ICAP), which includes working with service projects on campus and doing a series of projects with the Willis Dady Emergency Shelter in Cedar Rapids. In previous years, I was a co-leader of the Alternative Spring Break trip to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. I am also involved in a variety of student organizations, including STEP and Sustained Dialogue.
(2) What motivates you to serve?
Ah, the dreaded question. I have struggled with this on many a personal statement. The real question, in my opinion, is: why not serve? Although I have had many profound and moving experiences as a result of service, service came first. It is always something I have been interested in, something that I have always felt compelled to do. To me, service seems like the most natural thing in the world.
(3) What event or accomplishment has been the highlight of your involvement with civic engagement at Cornell?
After the earthquake that devastated Haiti, STEP pulled together and put together an ambitious fundraiser: “10 for 10: 10 Days to Save 10 Lives.” We wanted to raise at least $500 in ten days in order to buy a Shelterbox that would provide life-saving equipment for 10 individuals in Haiti. We were counting on a 1-1 match offer to bring us to the $1000 needed to purchase one. Fortunately, so many people fundraised that there were no funds available to match our contributions. We far exceeded our goal and were able to draw on STEP’s previous fundraising money to bring us to the $1000. It was incredible to see the outpouring of support for Haiti from the Cornell community.
(4) What have you learned through service in the community?
I have learned many things in the past few years. One is to set ambitious but attainable goals. A quotation that one of my organization’s cites, from Margaret Mead, is, “Never doubt that a small group of committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” While I still believe this to be true, I have come to appreciate that this change is sometimes small, slow in coming, and fickle. To truly make a difference, we have to be in it for the long haul and celebrate each and every victory along the way.
(5) What is your favorite aspect of civic engagement at Cornell?
There are a number of caring individuals on this campus, both students and faculty/staff. I have been inspired by my interactions with many of them to try harder and do more. I will always remember the incredible people I have met here, and I look forward to connecting with them again in future years and learning about all of the amazing things that they have done for the world.
Cindy Xiong ’14
Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota
Major: International Relations
Career Objective: Liaison between the Hmong people and the United States
(1) How are you involved with civic engagement at Cornell?
I am a member of [alliance] (the LGBTQA organization at Cornell), and STEP (Students Together Eradicating Poverty). I lived on the Service Connect Floor my first year. In 2012-13, I will be a member of Harlan House and TWRG (Third Wave Research Group), as well as Phi Omega. I will also be the Civic Engagement Office’s Middle School Education Coordinator.
(2) What motivates you to serve?
I choose to serve because I believe it is necessary to do. There are so many social and political issues in the world today, and it will only get progressively worse if nothing is done. I also believe that I need to give back what was given to me through service.
(3) What event or accomplishment has been the highlight of your involvement with civic engagement at Cornell?
[alliance] was not a big group last year, so I am excited that [alliance] is getting more well known on campus. We have an event each month, and the “You are Loved” Chalk Message Campaign was a great success.
(4) What have you learned through service in the community?
Through my service experience, I learned that change can take a long time. Sometimes things do not go as planned. However, when individuals work together, it takes the burden off of one person’s shoulders. Bringing ideas and support from various sources can help take a step closer to any goal.
(5) What is your favorite aspect of civic engagement at Cornell?
I like the feeling of being able to help another person and knowing that I did something right. I also like creating new bonds between those I work with, be it my co-workers or the people I am helping.
Taylor Koch ‘12
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois
Major: Anthropology, Sociology, and Spanish
Career Objective: Student Affairs/Higher Ed Professional
(1) How are you involved with civic engagement at Cornell?
I began working with the Civic Engagement Office my first year at Cornell as a member of the Connect Floor leadership and service community. This connected me with flood relief efforts in Cedar Rapids. My sophomore and junior years, I helped to form living and learning communities based around flood relief and supporting the local community. I have participated in the Lunch Buddies program, Unified Sports Day, NSO Service Day and other volunteering with local organizations such as Hallmark Care Center and the local school district. I have also been involved with Colleges Against Cancer as a member, committee chair and co-chair of the organization, involved with year round education and planning of Relay For Life.
(2) What motivates you to serve?
I choose to serve because I think that everyone has something to offer to help others and make a difference. I want to be an active citizen who looks critically at the world around me in order to make positive change.
(3) What event or accomplishment has been the highlight of your involvement with civic engagement at Cornell?
My involvement with Relay For Life has been a highlight of my involvement with the Civic Engagement Office. It has been a wonderful way to be involved with the Cornell and local Mt. Vernon community and be involved with a national organization. It has shown me the passion and willingness of Cornell students to help make a difference.
(4) What have you learned through service in the community?
While I have learned much about performing successful and positive service, even more importantly, l have learned about myself as an individual. My service has made me even more aware of my own values, strengths, and weaknesses.
(5) What is your favorite aspect of civic engagement at Cornell?
My favorite aspect of working with civic engagement at Cornell is being a part of a community of like minded students that are passionate about so many areas of service and civic action.
Kirtley Hitt '12
Hometown: Shorewood, Minnesota
Major: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Kinesiology
Career Objective: Attend Physician Assistant Graduate Program
(1) How are you involved with civic engagement at Cornell?
I was on the leadership and service Connect Floor my freshmen year and have participated in Lunch Buddies for four years. I have been involved with Relay for Life in various capacities, including as a publicity chair and a member of the team recruitment and sponsorship committees. I have also been in charge of planning Relay Recess at the elementary school. My sophomore year, I was a participant in the Alternative Spring Break trip to New Orleans. I was also able to participate in BreakAway's Alternative Spring Break Citizenship School, centering on a service trip to the Grand Canyon. Since then, I have been the Alternative Spring Break Coordinator and have helped organize seven trips across the country. Last year, I led a trip to Florida to do conservation work and this year I will lead a trip to Joplin, Missouri to help with disaster relief from the tornados in that area.
(2) What motivates you to serve?
I choose to serve because I love knowing I made a difference. I love that a small effort can grow and help many. I enjoy reaching out to others and getting to know people that I would not meet in any other capacity. I think if everyone puts forth just a little effort, together we can make a big difference.
(3) What event or accomplishment has been the highlight of your involvement with civic engagement at Cornell?
Each year, I love hearing from all the students and leaders about the successes and struggles of their spring break trips. Trips rarely go exactly as planned, but working through the surprises bonds the groups together. I like to hear about the experience of the trip and have each participant describe their work. Everyone takes away something different, which is one of the neat things about alternative breaks.
(4) What have you learned through service in the community?
My work in civic engagement has made me much more aware of the issues in our community, but it has also helped prepare me to be an active citizen. My work had definitely empowered me and, through my travels, has also taught me about different cultures. I have learned valuable skills about communication and time management.
(5) What is your favorite aspect of civic engagement at Cornell?
Mostly, I love the people. I love the connections I have made across campus with students, staff, and faculty members. Serving with the Civic Engagement Office helps me connect with my community here in Mount Vernon as well as communities across the country through Alternative Spring Break. My co-workers are some of my closest friends and there is a great support system. The environment is friendly and fun.
Jacob Fields ‘14
Hometown: Plainview, New York
Major: Elementary Education and Math
Career Plan: Elementary School Teacher and High School Coach
(1) How are you involved with civic engagement at Cornell?
In 2012-2013, I will be the head of the Lunch Buddies program, which matches Cornell students with elementary school students from Mount Vernon for mentoring relationships. I am also a member of Colleges Against Cancer.
(2) What motivates you to serve?
I believe community service is extremely important to join people within a community. This can help lessen the harshness of today’s society. Throughout my life, my parents have instilled in me a drive to help, whether it was volunteering or helping an older person with their groceries. It also feels good to know that you are helping someone who really appreciates it.
(3) What event or accomplishment has been the highlight of your involvement with civic engagement at Cornell?
I believe that community service plays a large role in forming the environment of Cornell, and will be even more important in years to come. We are helping people locally and nationally and it is exciting to think of the things that we will achieve in future years.
(4) What have you learned through service in the community?
Service has really shaped much of who I am. It has taught me to persevere, and that if you keep pushing for what you believe in, good things will happen. It is very important to work as a team and have a common goal. It is those moments when you see positive change, be it a small step or a big change, that really make it rewarding, and give you that feeling of accomplishment.
(5) What is your favorite aspect of civic engagement at Cornell?
The Civic Engagement Office is a friendly environment where we work as a team to achieve a common goal of bettering the world. It is awesome to have fun and do something good at the same time.
Neisha Croffitt ’13
Hometown: New Orleans, Louisiana
Major: Biology
Career Objective: Attend medical school
(1) How are you involved with civic engagement at Cornell?
I am a member of the Iowa Campus Compact AmeriCorps Program (ICAP). I participated in the 2011 Alternative Spring Break trip to Atlanta, Georgia, and I am the leader of the 2012 Alternative Spring Break trip to New Orleans, Louisiana. I am the Vice President of Black Awareness Cultural Organization (BACO), through which I am involved in a number of service activities. Additionally, I am a Lunch Buddy, and I volunteer regularly at the Willis Dady Emergency Shelter.
(2) What motivates you to serve?
I choose to serve because I have always been interested in volunteering and helping out in my community in any way possible. Volunteerism helps to make our community a better place. When one person chooses to volunteer, it motivates others to step up and do the same.
(3) What event or accomplishment has been the highlight of your involvement with civic engagement at Cornell?
I am excited to be the leader of the Alternative Spring Break traveling to New Orleans. This trip gives students a wonderful opportunity to learn the importance of volunteering in our communities. The trip is an opportunity for students to take on leadership roles, it and helps push them to become more active citizens.
(4) What have you learned through service in the community?
My service experience has taught me the importance of team work. No one organization can run successfully without the support of a team, and team work is required to keep people pushing forward.
(5) What is your favorite aspect of civic engagement at Cornell?
The Civic Engagement Office gives me a chance to branch out and volunteer in the community. To me, it is home base for all of my service. From the support I receive from the Civic Engagement Office, along with my fellow ICAP members, I have a new motivation to go out and make a change in my community. I love the fact that I have this support system, one that will point me in the right direction.
Samantha Hebel '12
Hometown: Clinton Township, Michigan
Major: English with a minor in Psychology
Career Objective: Obtain a Masters in Student Affairs and Higher Education and coordinate Service Learning and/or Civic Engagement programs
(1) How are you involved with civic engagement at Cornell?
I participated in the Lunch Buddies program for two years, and I also served as the program coordinator. I co-led my third Alternative Spring Break trip to Maryville, Tennessee in 2012. I was co-chair of the Survivorship and Luminaria committee for Colleges Against Cancer for two years. I also completed the Iowa Campus Compact AmeriCorps Program (ICAP) and spent a summer in the Civic Engagement Office as an AmeriCorps Summer VISTA to help coordinate New Student Orientation Service Day.
(2) What motivates you to serve?
I believe that our society runs on volunteerism. Without the dedication and motivation of individuals working to support the causes in which they believe, much would be lost. By giving back, we allow society to progress. Personally, I relied on the help of others to attend college and make it where I am today. I think it is important for me to help others achieve success as others helped me.
(3) What event or accomplishment has been the highlight of your involvement with civic engagement at Cornell?
I loved all of my opportunities to watch fellow Cornell students get involved. I found my passion for civic engagement prior to my Cornell education and was able to get involved right away. However, not all students had those opportunities. Through my positions on campus, I had the chance to get other students excited about service and see them become passionate about service. My best accomplishment has been motivating others to find this passion.
(4) What have you learned through service in the community?
My service in Cornell's community and the surrounding area gave me the opportunity to make many connections that I would not have otherwise made. Getting involved in the community allowed me to meet individuals who share the same passions I do. By meeting these people, I realized how to incorporate my passion for service into my life and to look for ways to include in my daily life all of the things I love. All of the individuals I have met helped me pursue my interests and gave me the means to inspire other students.
(5) What is your favorite aspect of civic engagement at Cornell?
Civic Engagement has always been an important aspect of life at Cornell and allows every student to get involved in a way that interests them. Every student can find their specific passion for service, allowing them to work on a project and be part of the broader service community at Cornell.