|
Class of 2009
School: College of Arts and Science
Major: Human & Organizational Development and Economics
Hometown: Akron, NY
Kristen was involved in numerous community service activities in high school including helping to found Interact, the high school branch of Rotary International. Through this organization she created the "Help the Homeless Sleepout". In this annual activity, students obtain sponsors and sleep outside in winter weather to both raise awareness and raise funds for the Buffalo City Mission. Through leadership positions as vice president and president of Interact, Kristen also organized fundraisers and volunteered for a myriad of organizations including the Red Cross, Lupus Alliance, St. Vincent De Paul Society, Relay For Life, and the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society.
At Vanderbilt, Kristen continues her work with the homeless through serving as a volunteer and executive board member for Vanderbilt Habitat for Humanity, where she plans and participates in weekly community service projects to raise homelessness awareness. Additionally, Kristen serves on the Vanderbuddies executive board, where she connects students with tutoring centers and also tutors Somali-Bantu refugees at CWA-Cayce Learning Center. As community service chair for Gamma Beta Phi honor society, Kristen coordinates community service activities for the chapter as well.
Kristen spent the summer of 2007 teaching English, preschool, literacy, and women’s exercise classes in Cedro Galan, Nicaragua through Manna Project International. After developing a passion for serving their community, she plans to return in the summer of 2008. She is grateful for all of the support that Ingram program provides in her community service endeavors and is looking forward to a year of initiative, influence, and inspiration through service. |
