April 19, 2021

IN THIS ISSUE

• Community Engagement Award Winners Exemplify Excellence In Teaching, Learning, and Service
• Bread for the World Receives Barry University’s Community Partnership Award
• Center for Community Service Initiatives Congratulated on 10th Anniversary
• Community Engagement at Barry Over the Years: A Pictorial Report
• Barry Service Corps Member Samentha Calixte Has a Passion for Service

Community Engagement Award Winners Exemplify Excellence In Teaching, Learning, And Service

Student Leaders Engage In Advocacy, Activism

This year’s community engagement award winners exemplify excellence in teaching, learning, and service. The award winners include Sister Mary Frances Fleischaker and Dr. Jalane Meloun, Isaly Ortiz and Dai’ Jonnai Smith, and the Andreas School of Business. 

Dr. Fleischaker—more widely known as Sister Mary Fran—has demonstrated excellent teaching grounded in an ethic of collaborative service. Through her service-learning course, students learn the principles of social awareness and responsibility, empathy, and compassion.  

Sister Mary Fran’s students have described their experiences as “truly transformational,” said Dr. Victor Romano, associate provost for student success and undergraduate studies. Students come to recognize that “their voices and actions in support of vulnerable populations can make a difference,” he added. Her students are “inspired and energized by her passion, and how much she lives out faith through action.”

Community partners express admiration of Sister Mary Fran’s leadership by example. They say she models “the behavior of going out in the community and practicing ethical and justice values.” 

Announcing that she is the winner of this year’s Service-Learning Faculty Award, Dr. Romano said the theology faculty member is “proof positive that service-learning is a powerful instrument for change and that one can make a difference in the lives of many.” 

Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement

It is in the area of civic learning and democratic engagement that Dr. Meloun made her mark over the past few years. She won the Community Engagement Educator Award “for significant contributions to the institutionalization or enhancement of community engagement at Barry.”

The professor of administration has played a major role in the Campus Democracy Project, contributing to Barry’s achievement of “Voter Friendly Campus” status this year. That designation came from Fair Election Center’s Campus Vote Project and NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, capping a year of “challenging democratic engagement” for Barry. 

In presenting the award, Dr. Stephanie Bingham, chair of the Community Engagement Awards Committee, said: “As a voter rights advocate, [Dr. Meloun] has exhibited passion and creativity in helping to shape an institutional culture that promotes democratic engagement, an elevated level of civil political discourse, and an energized campus community.”

Exemplary Civic Engagement 

Barry Service Corps Fellows Isaly Ortiz and Dai’ Jonnai Smith received the Community Impact Award for exemplary civic engagement—including service, research, and advocacy—that had a considerable impact on the community.

Dr. Scott Smith, vice president for mission and student engagement, said Ortiz has been “a highly engaged student leader, lending her voice to salient social justice issues—from immigration reform to voter access.” 

A co-chair of the Campus Democracy Project, Ortiz has served in elected and appointed positions with the Florida College Democrats and the College Democrats of America. “Her voter advocacy efforts in the state have made her a respected and recognized voice for the cause,” VP Smith said. 

In early 2020, Ortiz was one of six Florida students selected for a panel in Tallahassee with former Member of the Georgia House of Representatives, Stacey Abrams. The panelists discussed Gen Z issues and voter suppression. And, in the summer of 2020, she was invited onto the national stage as one of only five students selected nationwide to speak on a panel with Dr. Jill Biden. The panelsits discussed LatinX issues and immigration reform efforts.

“This student leader’s advocacy has been amply demonstrasted as she organized her peers and stood up for farmworker rights, traveling as far as New York to do so,” Dr. Smith said as he presented the award virtually.  “She has been vocal about the need for fair and just immigation reform, and for underserved populations to have their rights as voters upheld.”

The other Community Impact Award recipient, “D.J.” Smith, has been described as a “reservoir of creative ideas, with an inquisitive, scholarly mindset, and a clear commitment to social justice causes.” The student leader has passionately led her peers in thoughtful reflection and activism, “working at the forefront of both the planning and execution of several initiatives aimed at raising the level of consciousness surrounding social justice issues,” VP Smith noted. “She has shown a high level of commitment to understanding such issues, which has informed her engagement in action-oriented coalition-building activities.”

From her advocacy in support of voter rights and policy changes regarding healthcare access for incarcerated women to her leadership and participation in Alternative Breaks and major days of service, this student leader’s efforts have gone beyond neighborhoods near campus—extending even beyond Florida, to Alabama, and abroad, to the nation of Haiti.

Emphasis on Social Responsibility

The Andreas School of Business “has placed exemplary emphasis on collaborative service and social responsibility while pursuing its academic goals,” Provost Dr. John D. Murray pointed out. “As a result, a highly effective and fulfilling learning model has flourished—one that requires prioritizing decisions that benefit society while minimizing negative impacts on the environment by adopting philosophies and practices that are socially just and sustainable.”

Provost Murray presented the award in the Engaged Department category to the school for achievements in advancing the community engagement goals of the university, educating students for civic and social responsibility, and improving community life.

The School of Business does not have departments within its structure. The entire school was presented with a community engagement award, which was accepted by Dr. Manuel Tejeda, interim dean.  

VITA, SMIF, B.E. Lab, WIN. These acronyms are synonymous with the school, which “has raised the bar for what it means to be innovative and impactful in academic offerings, student–faculty relationships, and engagement with the broader community,” Provost Murray stated at the awards ceremony. “Faculty and students alike take pride in the service-learning projects embedded in an accounting, a finance, and a marketing course.”

The provost continued: “Community members receive tax-filing assistance each year, free of charge, through VITA—the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Students at William H. Turner Technical Arts High School develop skills in financial literacy, thanks to members of SMIF—the Student Managed Investment Fund.” 

The B.E. (Barry Entrepreneurship) Lab and WIN (We Inspire Now), Dr. Murray indicated, have become part of the success story of the School of Business.

Encouragement of Excellence

The other award winners are the Barry Premier Events Team and Bread for the World. The Barry Premier Events Team—representatives of the Department of Information Technology, Department of Marketing, and Conference and Event Services—was recognized for “exceptional support of community engagement programs and partnerships.” CCSI Administrative Coordinator Stephanie D. Wong made the virtual presentation.

Bread for the World received the Community Partnership Award (see story below).

“The primary purpose of the Community Engagement Awards is to publicly recognize students, faculty, staff, departments, and community partners for their participation, contributions, and achievements in various areas of community engagement,” explained Dr. Glenn A. Bowen, the CCSI’s executive director. “Additionally, each award is designed to encourage excellence and to inspire similar achievements by others.”

At the awards ceremony earlier this month, Fr. Cristóbal Torres, the university chaplain, gave the invocation; Dr. Sean Foreman, professor of political science, introduced the guest speaker, Dr. Andrew Seligsohn, president of Campus Compact. To close the event, CCSI Associate Director Courtney Berrien thanked all participants and the Community Engagement Awards Committee.

Committee members are Dr. Stephanie Bingham, chair; Dr. Pamela D. Hall; Dr. Kevin Kemerer; Nadie Mondestin (community partner, Haitian Youth and Community Center of Florida); Martina Muñoz Chalan (student); Dr. Fabio Naranjo; Dr. Lauren Shure; and Dr. Glenn A. Bowen (ex officio).

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Bread For The World Receives Barry University’s Community Partnership Award

Bread for the World is the recipient of Barry University’s Community Partnership Award for 2021. The award is presented in recognition of “commendable collaboration with the university that has contributed to measurable improvements in people’s lives while enhancing higher education.”

Florence French Fagan, the organization’s South Florida regional organizer, accepted the award from Dr. Karen Callaghan, dean of Barry’s College of Arts and Sciences. The occasion was the university’s eighth annual Community Engagement Awards hosted by the Center for Community Service Initiatives (CCSI) as a virtual event on April 7.

Bread’s mission is to end hunger by the year 2030. As a collective Christian voice, the organization mobilizes individuals, churches, institutions of higher education, and other organizations to engage in organized advocacy. 

“The letter-writing campaigns of this grassroots network have spurred action by U.S. legislators in confronting the central causes of social, economic, health, and environmental disparities that lead to hunger,” noted Dr. Callaghan. “Actions already taken include reallocating funds to anti-hunger programs and implementing long-term solutions such as systemic policy change.” 

In addition to doing advocacy work on the national stage, Bread has worked closely with Barry University, “making presentations that enrich the curriculum while educating students about the problem of hunger and its dire consequences,” Dr. Callaghan said. 

Bread has facilitated simulations on the racial wealth gap, emphasizing the connections among racial equity, hunger, poverty, and wealth. Moreover, Dr. Callaghan added, the organization “has offered in-depth analyses of hunger policy; has explained the role that advocacy plays in achieving systemic change; and has provided a roadmap for advocating a just national hunger policy.”

Barry University President Dr. Mike Allen and Campus Compact President Dr. Andrew Seligsohn congratulated all award winners.

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Center For Community Service Initiatives Congratulated On 10th Anniversary

Barry University President Emerita, Sister Linda Bevilacqua, O.P., Ph.D., has congratulated the Center for Community Service Initiatives (CCSI) on its 10th anniversary.

In an email to Dr. Glenn Bowen, the CCSI’s executive director, Sister Linda noted that the CCSI celebration on April 7 was “an appropriate acknowledgment of the significant work that you and your colleagues throughout the University have achieved.”

Sister Linda, who was Barry’s president when the CCSI was established, noted that the CCSI has been well shaped and continues to be guided in “its development and maturation within the University and the various communities with whom we partner.”

The former president added: “I applaud every effort you create to bring to life the potential power and impact of Barry’s Mission and Core Commitments for Barry’s students. … Happy 10th anniversary, CCSI!”

The CCSI also received a congratulatory note from Dr. John McFadden, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. He acknowledged the work that went into the Community Engagement Awards at which Barry’s community engagement achievements were highlighted in a collage of photos.

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Community Engagement At Barry Over The Years: A Pictorial Report

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Barry Service Corps Member Samentha Calixte Has A Passion For Service

By Amanda Gonzalez Garcia

Samentha Calixte appreciates the mission of the organization that she has been serving as a member of the Barry Service Corps.

“Amor en Acción’s mission is to seek ways to share that love … experienced in Christ with those living in poverty and suffering oppression,” she notes.

Calixte serves as an administrative assistant and marketing/media assistant. Her role allows her to connect with people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola.

Growing up in Haiti, Calixte tells us, she did not have everything she wanted but she had everything that she needed. Calixte mentions this to explain how difficult it is to see others struggling in poverty without her trying to do something about it. Surely, she knows how important it is to do something—to give back to her community.

A passion to help others is what inspired Calixte to join the Barry Service Corps. Her passion has also caused her to work hard towards her nursing degree—“so I am able to help more people.”

A pre-nursing major, Calixte has completed nursing practicals and, at the time of writing, was studying for her nursing school entrance exam. She aspires to be a travel nurse so she can assist many people in many places.

Missionary Community

Described as “a missionary community of the Archdiocese of Miami,” Amor en Acción was formed in 1976 by a group of young immigrants, who were inspired by the biblical principle that “faith without action is dead.”

Amor en Acción provides assistance with education, nutrition and access to fresh water, and disaster relief and recovery. The organization also prepares groups for short-term missions to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. 

In Haiti, the nonprofit organization serves over 400,000 people; in DR, its projects serve over 800 children and 70 families. And, in the Archdiocese of Miami, the organization provides educational support to over 5,000 children in parishes and schools while its retreats and presentations benefit over 1,000 adults.

Editor’s Note: Amanda Gonzalez Garcia is a Barry Service Corps member assigned to the CCSI.

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