Service Learning Institute

B.A. Cinematic Arts & Technology

Jacob Padilla

Tulare, California

Community Partner: CSU Monterey Bay University Police Department

“I want to take the experience of producing a video like this into my professional career.”

B.A. Global Studies

Cydney Gaither

Alta Loma, California

Community Partner: Meals on Wheels 

“Going forward I will take with me the kindness everyone has shown me and try to give it back to my community. I love seeing the smiles on people's faces when we come in and I hope I can be that comforting smile for others.”

B.A., Humanities & Communication

Gloria Salcido

Salinas, California

Community Partner: Victory Outreach Watsonville

“I will carry the understanding that the digital world can be intimidating to some, but with knowledge and patience, one can learn to harness the online power of connection.”

B.A., Japanese Language & Culture

Carlos Rodriguez

San Diego, California

Community Partner: CPY (Community Partnerships for Youth)/MLK School of Arts

“I will always from this point forward view my work through a lens that nurtures increasing diversity, equity, and an emphasis on increasing resources to those who need them.”

B.A., Music

Roxanne Ortiz

Long Beach, California

Community Partner: Alisal Center for the Fine Arts

“I will carry the open-mindedness and inclusivity that the Alisal Center for the Fine Arts represents in all situations. The way I was able to teach an instrument that I had no idea how to play, made me truly feel like I was able to connect with the girls I was teaching. Also being able to make them laugh and seeing them actually learn from me, made what we were doing so important. I will continue to connect with young and older people through music.”

B.A., Psychology

Alo Wilson

San Jose, California

Community Partner: Salinas Union High School District

“Service learning has taught me empathy, deep listening, how to take initiative, and how to effectively work towards active systemic change. As I go through my life prioritizing liberation for all beings, I will carry with me the patience, humanity, determination, radical love, and unconditional accomplice-ship that I have learned from this experience.”

B.A., Social & Behavioral Sciences

Brant Schuler

Santa Cruz, California

Community Partner: Monterey Bay Aquarium

“I will always from this point forward view my work through a lens that nurtures increasing diversity, equity, and an emphasis on increasing resources to those who need them.” 

B.A., Spanish Language & Hispanic Cultures

Susan Braga

Aromas, California

Community Partner: Monterey County Free Libraries

“I grew up in libraries, and now I feel like I’m coming home. I can’t wait to share library joy with learners and patrons alike.”

B.A., Visual & Public Art

Stephanie Garcia Vega

San Jose, California

Community Partner: Public Space in Salinas’ Chinatown

“I will carry the lessons from this experience forward, knowing that even small impacts can lead to significant positive changes. I will continue making a difference in other communities by working with local organizations in my hometown, as the opportunity to serve and contribute never truly ends. As one never really stops serving the community. This experience has taught me the importance of community engagement, and I am committed to applying these lessons wherever I go.”

B.S., Business Administration

Mackenzie Brum

Los Baños, California

Community Partner: California State Parks - Monterey Natural Resources

“This experience has inspired me to approach service with a newfound perspective, valuing the significance of even the simplest acts of kindness and stewardship in fostering positive change within our communities.”

B.S., Human Development & Family Studies

Lizeth Patena Zarazua

Salinas, California

Community Partner: Community Health Engagement

“I made long lasting friendships that I'll carry with me forever.”

B.A., Liberal Studies

Jordan Armstrong

Santa Cruz, California

Community Partner: Montebella Elementary School

“I will apply everything I learned in my future job as a teacher. It was amazing seeing students grow as learners and seeing them smile."

B.A., Collaborative Health & Human Services

Caitlyn Ferguson

Laguna Nihuel, California

Community Partner: Christine Marie Star Riders

“Star Riders will always hold a special place in my heart and be some of my favorite memories from CSUMB. My experience showed me the power of empathy and I am always trying to implement that into all aspects of my life. I will continue to advocate for greater accessibility in all aspects of life for the special needs population. ”

B.S., Kinesiology

Caitlyn Ferguson

Laguna Niguel, California

Community Partner: Christine Marie's STAR Riders

“Star Riders will always hold a special place in my heart and will be some of my favorite memories from CSUMB. My experience showed me the power of empathy and I am always trying to implement that into all aspects of my life. I will continue to advocate for greater accessibility in all aspects of life for the special needs population."

B.S., Nursing

Loida Ferolino

Salinas, California

Community Partner: Interim, Inc.

“I plan to apply what I've learned from this experience by continuing to advocate for underrepresented populations, supporting health justice, and exhibiting cultural humility in my future activities. I will aim to adapt what I've learned in service to my job, always keeping the needs of the community in mind.”

B.S., Agricultural Plant & Soil Sciences

Carson Craig

Prunedale, California

Community Partner: Habitat Stewardship Project

“I will carry the things that I learned from this experience by feeling proud of myself for helping others out."

B.S., Biology

Cali Garcia

Dixie, California

Community Partner: The Magic Toothbus

“I will forever carry the knowledge of the people that I surveyed and how they represented everyone in Monterey County. If it were not for the people surveyed I would not have the information I needed to provide future mobile dental clinics in Monterey County.”

B.S., Communication Design

Gabriella Lazarcheff

Oakhurst, California

Community Partner: Community Tech Network

B.S., Environmental Science, Technology & Policy

Eric Reid

Rialto, California

Community Partner: Bureau of Land Management, Central Coast Office

“I'll carry what I learned from this experience with positive energy going forward. Like many parts of our chemistry and lives, a small catalyst is all it takes to get things going in the face of what seems to be a daunting challenge.”

B.A., Environmental Studies

Kris Rose

Livermore, California

Community Partner: Monterey Regional Park District

“My biggest takeaway from this experience was how to communicate scientific ideas to a variety of audiences with different levels of scientific understanding, which is now a skill I use on a daily basis at work. This experience gave me the foundations I needed for working to make science accessible and helping empower people to work together in their community to make positive change.”

B.S., Marine Science

Kaitlyn Hutcheson

San Carlos, California

Community Partner: Elkhorn Slough Visitors Center

“I will continue to try and help divide the gaps between kids of different communities, to ensure all children get to learn and experience nature.”

B.S., Mathematics

Jessica Naranjo

Pomona, California

Community Partner: Sol Treasures

“I will always be thinking about how I can use the knowledge and skills I have to better help the communities I am part of. I will continue to further my education to enhance my expertise and improve the communities I am part of.”

B.S., Statistics

Samantha Barnes

Morgan Hill, California

Community Partner: Gathering for Women

“I always think about the work they are doing and how statistics and data has helped them achieve their goals. I continue to see how data helps other grow and contribute to their communities.”

The Civic Action Award recognizes the outstanding work of a partnership between a CSUMB faculty member or student and a community group that seeks to improve the quality of life through public or civic engagement.

2024 Civic Action Awards goes to the planning committee, workshop presenters, mentors, and Ethnic Studies teachers and the superintendent of Salinas Union High School District - for the 2023 Ethnic Studies Curriculum Conference, May 10, 2023.

CSUMB Students and Faculty

• Aja Whittaker; CSUMB Alum
• Rosa Acevedo Duran; CSUMB Alum
• Sydney Utley; CSUMB Alum
• Uriah Toussant; Service Learning Student
• Anthony Chun Lorenzo; Service Learning Student
• Alo Wilson; Service Learning Student
• Jissel Antonio; CSUMB Alumn
• Dr. Chrissy Hernandez; CSUMB Faculty
• Dr. Sriya Shretha; CSUMB Faculty
• Mark Gómez; CSUMB Faculty

SUHSD Superintendent and Teachers from Alisal High, Rancho San Juan High, and Salinas High 

• Dan Burns; Superintendent
• Alexander Kajioka; Teacher
• Chris Brabant; Teacher
• Jensen Kile; Teacher
• Mario Delgado; Teacher
• Fatima Patino; Teacher
• Clayton Frederick; Teacher
• Gloria Estrada; Teacher
• Hernan Gutierrez; Teacher 

Mentor

• Luis "Xago" Juarez

Partners / Workshop Presenters

• Karina Moreno; MILPA
• Bernie Gomez; MILPA
• Maria Perez; Regeneracion Pajaro Valley 

Since 2000, the Marian Penn Partnership Award has been presented annually to one faculty & community organization team that reflects the values of the Service Learning Institute and has made an exceptional contribution through service learning.

Partnership between Elkhorn Slough Foundation, Hall District Elementary School (PVUSD), & CSUMB

Outdoor Classroom (YouTube video, 5 minutes)

• Dr. Victoria Derr; Applied Environmental Science Professor
• Juan Ramirez; Elkhorn Slough Foundation 
• Kenton Parker; Elkhorn Slough Foundation 
• Alice Miller; Hall District Elementary School
• Cynthia Torres; Hall District Elementary School

Partnership between Monterey Peninsula College's Student Health Services & CSUMB's Nursing Program

• Zofia Chciuk; Nursing Professor
• Ann Lurati; Nursing Professor
• LeAnn Contapay; Monterey Peninsula College Student Health Center