Utah State University Recognizes Individuals for their Volunteer Service

Five members of the Utah State University community were recognized by USU through the Utah Campus Compact Awards for their volunteer service. The USU Center for Civic Engagement and Service-Learning staff and President Stan Albrecht presented the awards during a luncheon ceremony Thursday March 19, at the USU President’s residence.

“We have a long tradition of service at Utah State University,” President Albrecht said of the award program. “Service learning is a huge component of our DNA and we are glad to recognize these volunteers.”

Luz Maria Carreno received the Community Engaged Alum award for her work with the Education Outreach program in local public schools. As a USU student, Carreno worked diligently over the past several years to help solve difficult problems in local public schools while encouraging under-represented students to pursue higher education. Since earning her degree in international studies, she has continued her efforts in the community and with students while serving as a VISTA for the Office of Refugee Services, where she serves as a mentor and advocate for refugee students attending USU. 

Claire Core received the Community Engaged Student award. In addition to Core’s studies in recreation and resource management, she helps implement community permaculture gardens throughout Moab, where she attends USU. The gardens serve as public teaching grounds for water conservation, pollinator health and perennial food systems. Core also serves on the Canyonlands Community Recycling board, volunteers at free community brunch events, assists with recycling drives and helps coordinate a yearly community recycled fashion show in Moab.

Star Coulbrooke received the Community Engaged Staff award for her work as the director of the USU Writing Center. Coulbrooke has recently received the USU Professional Employee of the Year honor and a Robins Award for Achievement of the Year for the open-mic writing venue Helicon West. Through her work with Helicon West, Coulbrooke provides an inviting place for all abilities and voices from throughout the valley and as well as across the West.

Emily Malik received the Committed Community Partner award for her efforts as the conservation coordinator with Logan City. Malik has served as both the conservation coordinator and the recycling educator with the Environmental Department since 2005. Malik has partnered with USU on a variety of projects ranging from obtaining glass recycling bins to starting a “no idling” campaign. Most recently, Malik has been instrumental in getting the USU Community Bridge Initiative off the ground. Through the program, she is partnering with several USU faculty to improve Logan’s air quality.

Rebecca Walton received the Community Engaged Scholar award for her research in introducing new technical communicators to the role that they can play in supporting the work of social justice organizations. Walton is an assistant professor in English and a technical communications scholar. She studies the role that communications can play in distributing power more equitably.

Since its founding in 1996, the Utah Campus Compact has been committed to strengthening the public and civic purpose of higher education in the state of Utah. It includes all eight of the Utah System of Higher Education institutions, Westminster College and the Utah College of Applied Technology. More information is available at its website.

More information on USU Center for Civic Engagement and Service-Learning can be found at its website.

Contact: Kate Stephens, Center for Civic Engagement and Service-Learning, 435-797-8135 or kate.stephens@usu.edu