Updates and News
2021 Spotlight on Service: Stronger Together
Each year, the Service Learning Institute honors CSUMB's commitment to service, social responsibility, civic action and social justice by recognizing the contributions made by students, faculty and community partners to the tri-county region. Join us as we celebrate student achievement in service learning, while also recognizing innovative, socially relevant collaborative work involving service learning faculty, student leaders, and local community partner agencies.
2021 Spotlight on Service Live Recording
Did you miss our annual Spotlight on Service event? Watch our live recording to celebrate our 2021 graduates and outstanding service in the community.
2021 Service Learning Student Awards by College
College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Cinematic Arts & Technology
Ariana Balderrama
San Gabriel Valley, CA
Community Partner: Palenke Arts, Seaside, CA
“The most meaningful thing I gained from my service learning experience with Palenke Arts was being able to make the creative vision of my students come to life while teaching them a new way to express themselves and their own stories.”
Global Studies
Eileen Lewis
Sacramento, CA
Community Partner: Asia Monitor Resource Centre, Hong Kong
“Working with AMRC gave me insight into the labor movement in Asia. It allowed me to see the common struggle of workers fighting for their dignity and respect globally, from the agricultural laborers in the fields of Salinas to the garment workers in the cities of the Philippines. It was a very eye-opening experience!”
Humanities & Communication
Marissa Boni
Morgan Hill, CA
Community Partner: Nordstrom Elementary, Morgan Hill, CA
“The best thing about working with my community partner was seeing the kids' faces light up when they talked about their writing or finally grasped a new skill. As a former student of Nordstrom Elementary School myself, I loved being able to give something back to the school and the teachers that gave so much to me.”
Japanese Language and Culture
Grant Kelly
Gilroy, CA
Community Partner: Community Partnership for Youth, Seaside, CA
“The most meaningful thing I learned from serving my community with CPY is the importance of community. Having a supportive community has such deep, and seemingly unseen effects on our lives.”
Music
John-Paul Mackey
San Francisco, CA
Community Partner: Surfrider Foundation, Pacific Grove, CA
“The most meaningful thing I gained from serving with my community partner was a greater appreciation of my natural surroundings.”
Psychology
Sol Rivera
Piedras Negras, Veracruz, MX
Community Partner: Immigration Task Force, Pacific Grove, CA
“The most meaningful thing I gained was community. I’ve never felt like I belonged anywhere. I can now proudly say that Monterey County is my home.”
Social & Behavioral Sciences
Sean Slayton
Marina, CA
Community Partner: Monterey County Historical Society, Salinas, CA
Spanish Language & Hispanic Cultures
Laura Galvan
Salinas, CA
Community Partner: California Rural Legal Assistance, Salinas, CA
“My service learning at CRLA gave me a greater understanding of the civic and social responsibility that is needed to better serve our community.”
College of Business
Business Administration
Laura Salgado Perez
Isla de Cedros, Baja California, MX
Community Partner: Dorothy's Place, Salinas, CA
“Working at Dorothy's kitchen provided me the opportunity to serve my community, and at the same time allowed me to gain experience in the management of a non-profit agency.”
Sustainable Hospitality Management
Camille Jazmine Parker
Alta Loma, CA
Community Partner: Return of the Natives, Seaside, CA
“I was able to see how easy giving back can be incorporated into everyday busy life. It is something I plan to make time to do for the rest of my life.”
College of Education
.png--big.png)
Human Development and Family Studies
Arianna Hernandez
Palmdale, CA
Community Partner: Spreckels Elementary School, Spreckels, CA
Liberal Studies
Guadalupe Gonzales
Greenfield, CA
Community Partner: King City Union School District, King City, CA
“The most meaningful thing I’ve learned from serving with my community partner every voice matters no matter how big or small.”
College of Health Sciences and Human Services
Collaborative Health & Human Services
Mireya Diaz
Salinas, CA
Community Partner: Gathering for Women, Monterey, CA
“As a case management intern, I learned how domestic violence, the lack of affordable housing, and unemployment contributed to homelessness among women on the Monterey Peninsula. One of the most meaningful takeaways was supporting program participants in reclaiming their lives through individualized support. It was an honor and privilege to be a part of their transition from homelessness to permanent housing.”
Nursing
Damian Michelson
Santa Cruz, CA
Community Partner: Center for Community Health Engagement, Seaside, CA
College of Science
Molecular Biology
Rosanna Toledo
Salinas, CA
Community Partner: Social Bridging Project, Monterey, CA
“I was able to connect with others online despite the pandemic and provide them with aid and or information regarding natural disaster preparation and COVID-19 resources.”
Communication Design
Victoria Matelli
Salinas, CA
Community Partner: Watsonville Environmental Science Workshop, Watsonville, CA
“The most meaningful thing I learned from serving with the Watsonville Environmental Science Workshop was seeing how these kids were benefitting from the science projects and how the community came together to help teach them.”
Computer Science
Ethan Herndon
Calistoga, CA
Community Partner: City of Gonzales, Gonzales, CA
“Being proud with my team to deliver a product that would significantly help their community.”
Environmental Science, Technology & Policy
Riley Ransom
At Home Service
-1601x1521.jpeg)
Environmental Studies
Yvette Diaz Samayoa
Vallejo, CA
Community Partner: Napa County Resource Conservation District, Napa, CA
“Working with the Napa RCD taught me that change happens with the help of others. I want to make a change within my community and they helped me achieve the first step of my goals.”
Marine Science
Emily Tate
Walnut Creek, CA
Community Partner: Bureau of Land Management, Marina, CA
“Doing service learning during the COVID-19 pandemic taught me flexibility. I am grateful to have served the Bureau of Land Management in a virtual format.”
Mathematics
Krissy Alari
Hayward, CA
Community Partner: Bureau of Land Management, Marina, CA
“Through my service learning course, I gained experience working in statistical consulting. This was very valuable to me as it allowed me to combine my love for math and statistics with my passion for helping others and serving the community.”
Service and Civic Action Award
The Service and Civic Action Award was established three years ago to honor and celebrate civic action in the context of service learning. Additionally, this award was created to highlight the exemplary collaboration between our students and community partners. Each year one student and service learning site supervisor is recognized for the exceptional role they play in their organization's success.
Lily Vang
Service Learning Student Leader
Spreckels Elementary School
Linda Mendoza
Remote Service Coordinator
Spreckels Unified School District