CCSI Newsletter

Barry Student Named Newman Civic Fellow

Hector Pizarro, a criminology major at Barry University, has been named a recipient of Campus Compact's 2014 Newman Civic Fellows Award. The award honors student leaders committed to creating lasting change in communities throughout the country.

As one of the award winners, Pizarro will be a member of the Newman Civic Fellows class for 2014, made up of 197 student leaders representing Campus Compact-member colleges and universities from 36 states and Washington, DC. He was selected because of his commitment to building community and to helping youth realize their true potential.

Pizarro has been actively involved with several organizations that seek to counter injustices, give voice to the youth, and empower local citizens to improve community life. As co-president of Ignite, Barry’s Sociology and Criminology Club, Pizarro is a scholar-activist who has been at the forefront of a campus initiative to raise awareness of domestic violence in the wider community. He remains a board member of Beantown Society, a “by-youth, for-youth” after-school program that he co-founded in Boston, Massachusetts. The program educates at-risk youth about the economy, classism, sexism, and various forms of oppression while motivating them to demonstrate positive attitudes and actions.

A member of Pi Gamma Mu, the international social-science honor society, Pizarro is skilled at bringing diverse groups together. His eagerness to use his knowledge and skills to work for social justice, contribute to public problem solving, and better his community has impressed his peers, faculty members, and community partners alike.

“The 2014 Newman Civic Fellows are an inspiring group of leaders who are already making an impact in communities where they live, learn and serve,” wrote Maureen Curley, president of Campus Compact, in a recent email to Barry University President Sister Linda Bevilacqua. “Thank you for nominating an exemplary student to receive the award.”

Sister Linda made the nomination, as recommended by the Center for Community Service Initiatives (CCSI), based on Pizarro’s selection by the Community Engagement Awards Committee for Barry’s Community Impact Award. Pizarro was one of two recipients of the Community Impact Award during the inaugural year.

The national award is named in honor of Dr. Frank Newman, one of Campus Compact's founders, described as a tireless advocate for the role of higher education in preparing students for active and engaged citizenship. The Newman Civic Fellows Award is sponsored by the KPMG Foundation.

The Newman Civic Fellows are profiled at the Campus Compact website, www.compact.org.

Spring Break Volunteers Log 500 Service Hours

Barry volunteers logged more than 500 hours of community service during the 2014 spring break.

As part of Alternative Spring Break, seven volunteers took a trip to Kingston, Jamaica, where they rendered nearly 300 hours of service. Meanwhile, eight volunteers did more than 200 hours of service in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Student Video Features Financial Literacy Project

Barry business major Cláudio Kiala has created a video featuring a financial literacy community service project. The 60-second video, SMIF EasyLearning, illustrates the work of the Barry University Student-Managed Investment Fund.

SMIF is a co-curricular, student-initiated project that aims to bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world by providing an opportunity for students to gain hands-on experience designing, developing, and managing an investment portfolio.

Kiala, a junior, is a member of the SMIF marketing team.

University President Sister Linda Bevilacqua has congratulated Kiala on his initiative in creating the video. “I am proud of you and the engagement of the SMIF team in the community,” Sister Linda said. “It is clear you are living a Barry life by learning, reflecting and serving.”

The video “will lift the fog, brighten your day, and reinforce why we are here,” said Dr. Stephen Morrell, professor of economics and finance.

The video is available here.

Summer Internships Available in DC

The Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service (IPVS) is offering two-month summer internships in Washington, DC, to eligible undergraduates. Interns will make an impact by serving with a nonprofit organization while earning academic credit and expanding their leadership skills and professional network, according to an IPVS spokesperson.

Scholarships are available. Students receive awards based on financial need and merit, with awards usually ranging from $1,000 to $4,500.

Students are encouraged to visit www.DCinternships.org/IPVS for more information and to complete an online application. Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis through April 4. Students will be notified of the admission decision within two weeks of completing the application.

Questions may be directed to IPVS Program Director Kristen Wright at kwright@tfas.org or 202-986-0384.

Campus Wide Box Tops for Education Collection Drive

The “Box Tops for Education” collection drive is still underway. For each box top – from groceries and household products – that is donated, North Miami Middle School will receive a 10-cent contribution toward much-needed supplies. Collection boxes have been placed in various locations on campus, including the CCSI office, Adrian 208.

Volunteers Needed for Special Olympics

Volunteers are needed for Special Olympics Florida – Miami-Dade County Area 11 Summer Games. The Games will be held on Saturday, April 5, at Miami DadeCollege’s Kendall Campus from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. More than 400 athletes will compete in soccer, tennis, volleyball, and cycling.

Volunteers will assist with various duties, including volunteer/delegation registration, food and beverage distribution, score-keeping, and work in the Olympic Village.? The volunteer registration site is http://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0A4DACAA2DA20-area3.