USU Honors Community Engagement Award Winners

The Utah State University Center for Civic Engagement and Service Learning congratulated its 2017 Community Engagement Award winners. The six award winners were celebrated at a luncheon event hosted by USU President Noelle Cockett at the USU President’s Home on April 27.

Kristin Fitzgerald and RJ Risueno shared the Community Engaged Student Award for their work developing a bilingual library for Centro de la Familia. Fitzgerald and Risueno, both juniors in the Communication Disorders and Deaf Education program, are perfect examples of the amazing work that can be completed when two dedicated students put their mind, skills and energy into accomplishing a community-defined goal. Fitzgerald and Risueno brought a passion to this project and to the Service-Learning Scholars program and their excitement has drummed up both internal and external support for the library to continue to thrive for years into the future.

The Engaged Faculty Award was given to Matthew Sanders, associate processor and associate dean of communication studies in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. As an organizational communication scholar who teaches classes such as communication and leadership and organizations and social change, Sanders regularly blends service-learning and community engagement projects into coursework. In his six service-learning courses, his students have completed more than 3,700 hours of supervised service for the community. Sanders is a valuable mentor to students and supportive colleague and Center for Civic Engagement and Service Learning thanks him for his tireless work within community engagement.

Utah Lieutenant Governor Spencer J. Cox was honored with the Community Engaged Alumnus Award. Cox obtained his bachelor’s in political science from USU, and was named Student of the Year at the university. Cox has spent his adult life dedicated to public service and community engagement in a range of both local and state roles. He has worked closely with the Utah Commission on Service & Volunteerism and has been a strong supporter of AmeriCorps programs, as well as tirelessly advocating for more Utahans, especially young people, to register and vote. 

Amber Summers-Graham, coordinator of programs for the Honors Program, was awarded the Community Engaged Staff Member. In her role Summers-Graham not only provides mentoring services to students interested in engaging with the community, but works with the Honors Student Council to assist in the planning of service projects throughout the year. She also is personally dedicated to her community as an active volunteer with Loaves and Fishes. “Civic engagement is at the heart of an honors education at Utah State University,” Summers-Graham said. “One of the most rewarding aspects of my job as Honors Program advisor and coordinator is working with the Honors Student Council and all our students to build an undergraduate experience focused on meaningful community engagement.”

The Committed Community Partner Award went to The Cache Humane Society and was accepted by Executive Director Stacey Frisk. The Cache Humane Society collaborates with USU in a range of ways, and students regularly have the opportunity to complete one-time and on-going volunteer work with the agency, as well as gain hands on animal care experience through service-learning courses and internships. Currently the Cache Humane Society is working with a group of students from the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business to raise funds to outfit every dog kennel with a durable and comfortable dog bed. 

The Community Engagement Awards were presented in collaboration with Utah Campus Compact.

To learn more about the awards or community engagement opportunities at USU, please contact Kristin Brubaker, Kristin.brubaker@usu.edu.