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Titans Model Community Engagement

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Cal State Fullerton’s Center for Internships and Community Engagement honored students, campus programs and community partners April 29 during its 11th annual Community Engagement Awards.

The annual awards program was established to recognize course-related service, as well as community engagement programs in which campus students participate.

Top student awards presented during the program:
Outstanding Student Leader — Olivia M. Hill of Irvine, senior health science major
Extraordinary Acts of Service — Jennifer Uhlman of Laguna Hills, senior psychology major

Partner awards:
Most Committed Partner — Lunchtime Exercise Action Program, St. Jude Medical Center
Stellar Support of Students — Crittenton Services for Children and Families
Honorable mentions — CSUF Children’s Center, CSUF Environmental Health and Safety and North Orange County Community College District

Stewards of place awards, signifying outstanding reciprocal partnerships with off-campus organizations, were awarded to the Cal State D.C. Scholars and Urban Agriculture Community-based Research Experience.

Julia Capizzi, regional representative for the U.S. Peace Corps, gave the keynote address and presented the AmeriCorps sash to nine graduating seniors who served more than one year in the campus program Jumpstart.

Eligible graduating students received the Community Engagement Medal, which signifies course-related service beyond what is required for the student’s major and/or degree.

“These types of experiential learning are widely acknowledged as having tremendous impact on college students’ learning outcomes,” said Dawn Macy, director of the Center for Internships and Community Engagement. “They reinforce the learning that occurs in the classroom, often as capstone experiences that allow students to apply theory to practice.

“More often than not, these courses are the ones that students identify as having the most impact on their learning. They’re excited to set out on the career paths they’ve been envisioning and preparing for.”

Wrapping up the program was the presentation of the $1,000 Nonprofit Professionals Award, conferred by the nonprofit chapter of the CSUF Alumni Association on a continuing or graduating student who intends to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector. The recipient of the 2015 award is Ualani Ho’opai of Huntington Beach, who will receive a master of public health degree in May.

Read for more information about these annual awards.