This section highlights some of our faculty members' recent CEL projects and CEL experiences from past semesters.
Queens Memory Project (First Year Writing, First year seminar- Urban Development and Social Institution; Social Issues; Immigrants and Contributions; The Global City; Social Justice and Aesthetic) with Dr. Sophie Bell, Dr. Marilyn Dono-Koulouris, Prof. Benjamin Turner, Prof. Amber Wilson, Prof. Rosa Yen, Prof. Patricia Chilsen
Faculty members from our First Year Seminar courses and a First Year Writing course partnered with QMP for a story-telling service opportunity for over 70 students on our Queens campus. Interim Director Meral Agish guided students through the process of interviewing each other to discuss each student's story on immigration and family history. Educating our students on how to properly interview and collect people's stories and showing them the value storytelling brings to a community is the goal for QMP. The day was a wonderful example of the Vincentian charism in practice: it was a day of sharing and respecting the dignity of everyone's story and how St. John's students continue to be an ever-evolving resource of people who herald the voices of all communities in New York City.
Forest Park Mural Project MURAL PROJECT (FYS- NYC: Streets and Museums; Street Museum Art) with Dr. Heather Dunn
Dr. Dunn and students in her First Year Seminar classes are painting beautiful murals of native animals and plants found in Forest Park. Students are learning about local wildlife, the effects of global warming on these habitats and on our communities, and how art can be used as a powerful tool to provide education and raise awareness. This project exemplifies one of many environmental projects our students participate in and the diverse range of opportunities available through CEL.
Ronald McDonald House (FYS- NYC: People History Life Times) with Prof. Matthew Donnelly
As part of an ongoing, two-year partnership with the Ronald McDonald House in New Hyde Park, Associate Professor Matthew Donnelly and students in his First Year Seminar classes volunteered on University Service Day to prepare fresh, homecooked meals for residents and their families. According to Professor Donnelly, “Today was the best ever meal preparation at Ronald McDonald House.” He was impressed by the teamwork and thoughtfulness of his students, and several now wish to return on their own. Fostering these kinds of sustained relationships with our community partners is a highly valued part of the Community Engaged Learning experience, and we look forward to the many continuing and future partnerships between our faculty and local communities.
Storybooks with Queens Public Library (Math Content for Elementary School Teachers; Innovative Strategies Secondary Setting: Math; Planning/Instruction/Assessment Student) with Dr. Regina Mistretta
Dr. Mistretta and her School of Education students are volunteering to provide math tutoring for young students through after-school programs. Her students have made storybooks that explain different math concepts using creative visual guides and storytelling techniques. Community Engaged Learning is a reciprocal experience, and while students develop creative ways to teach other students, they are in turn directly enhancing their own learning. We look forward to the continued success of this program at Holy Family Academy.
Compost Collective (FYS- City and Social Imagination) with Prof. Heidi Upton
Professor Heidi Upton and her students worked together to be part of the solution to climate change by creating a safe space for wildlife to thrive and providing quality-of-life services to the community. Through hands-on learning, students explored the process and environmental benefits of composting- discovering how organic waste can be transformed into nutrient-rich soil that supports local gardens and ecosystems. Students actively participated in the effort: digging, chopping, and turning compost in the gardens to promote sustainability and healthy soil regeneration. This project highlights how experiential learning can cultivate environmental responsibility and community engagement through CEL.
JFK Lourdes Hospitality (FYS- A Taste of Immigration) with Administrator Lucy Pesce
We are proud to recognize our students, led by administrator Lucy Pesce, for their compassionate service at JFK Airport. The group assisted travelers with special needs returning from the healing baths of Lourdes, France. After greeting them upon their arrival from Immigration and Customs, the students provided wheelchair support to help the travelers reach their connecting flights. The students felt that this was a meaningful experience that reflected genuine care, empathy, and Vincentian service in action.
Wikipedia-a-thon (FYS- Social Justice Issues) with Prof. Benjamin Turner
Professor Benjamin Turner guided his students through a Wikipedia-based event focused on the importance of ethical editing and representation in digital spaces. Hosted by the Wikimedia Foundation, the workshop highlighted how Wikipedia is structured to service readers by presenting information across all areas of knowledge with neutrality and without bias. Through their participation, students contributed to improving the visibility of underrepresented groups, enhancing both the diversity of content and the quality of information accessible to local and global communities. This project reflects the meaningful ways our students engage in digital literacy and social impact initiative through CEL.
