The Lindy Center for Civic Engagement will present our 2023 End-of-Year Awards at our celebration on Friday, June 2nd. All are invited to join us for this joyous event where our community comes together to recognize the outstanding contributions of engaged students, staff, faculty, and partners. There will also be food! We hope to see you there and please see below for information about our 2023 award nominations and winners. 

2023 End-of-Year Awards - nominees and winners

Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination! The winners of each award are shown in bold. 

Dr. Donna M. Murasko Distinguished Faculty Award for Innovation in Civic Engagement

This award is presented annually to a faculty member who has incorporated the value of civic engagement into their teaching, research, clinical practice, or other academic pursuit or activity in new and innovative ways. 

• Rachel Lopez, Director of the Andy and Gwen Stern Community Lawyering Clinic, Associate Professor of Law in the Kline School of Law - Nominator Carrie Hutnick said, "Rachel has worked tirelessly in the law school to deepen its impact in West Philadelphia by strengthening relationships residents impacted by the legal system. In doing so, Rachel has developed partnerships with both local community groups and organizations in Philadelphia focused on pressing issues of mass incarceration in order to understand the complex nature of needs and the potential for support or change."
• Scott Quitel, Associate Teaching Professor in the Close School of Entrepreneurship - Nominator Charlene Samuels said, "Scott has a long history with working with the Logan community to bring innovative ideas on how we can improve the quality of life in our community. He has a great understanding on the issues that plague the Logan community. The Logan community considers Scott an ally as we continue to fight to reform the Logan community."

Dr. Mark L. Greenberg Distinguished Faculty Award for Community Based Learning

This distinguished faculty award is named in honor of the founder of the Lindy Center for Civic Engagement and former Provost, Dr. Mark L. Greenberg. It is awarded to a faculty member who is deeply committed to improving the public good on the local, national or global level through community-based learning. 

• Valerie Ifill, Assistant Professor, Dance; Director, Community Based Learning in the Westphal College of Media Arts & Design - Nominator Carrie Hutnick said, "As a founder and part of several community-engaged initiatives including Black Girls STEMming through Dance and Dance at the Dornsife, Val has demonstrated her commitment to collaborative efforts between campus and community to co-create knowledge, opportunity, and experience for Drexel and its local community, especially those most vulnerable to systemic barriers to participation." 
• Parfait Kouacou Kouassi, Assistant Teaching Professor, Global Studies and Modern Languages in College of Arts and Sciences - Nominator Valerie Ifill said, "Parfait has taken an innovative approach to developing and leading community-based learning experiences in French... He has shared a strong belief in communities of practice among CBL faculty and been a crucial part of building one at Drexel."
• Ebony White, Assistant Clinical Professor in the College of Nursing and Health Professions - Nominator Tajma Cameron said, "Dr. White exemplifies what it means to be committed to improving the public good on a global level through community partnerships and dedication to strengthening global health agendas."
• Steve Dolph, Assistant Teaching Professor, Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in College of Arts and Sciences - Nominator Ahaji Shreffler said, "Steve embodies the very best in his global community engaged learning courses and programs, with such intention and a focus on community relationship building, mutual respect and understanding, and impact."

Distinguished Leadership in Civic Engagement for a Graduating Student

This award recognizes a Drexel senior that has shown the greatest level of leadership in programming of the Lindy Center and across the campus to promote the public mission of the university. These students serve as role models for undergraduates and are deeply committed to civic engagement.

• Atharva Bhagwat - Nominator Cara Scharf said, "Atharva was always very thoughtful about his work as a TA and TA mentor, and he brought that thoughtfulness and willingness to learn and grow to other areas of his civic engagement work, including organizing the first ever Local Conference of Youth in the United States."
• Deja Oliver - Nominator Carrie Hutnick said, "She has changed the Lindy Center in many ways during her time at Drexel by bringing a strong, embodied sense of community to our space and our programming." 
• Meerat Qaiser Khan - Nominator Emma Shellenberger said, "I have watched her grow as a person over the last four years and know she is a dedicated member of the Drexel and Philadelphia community. She leads by example and plans to continue making a positive impact on the community after graduation, wherever she ends up."
• Melissa Tuley - From nomination: "From my very first moments at Drexel, I was always willing to volunteer and seeking out opportunities to benefit the community."
• Riley Tien - Nominator Nell McCaslin said, "Riley has been volunteering consistently with us for the past 5 years even throughout the pandemic. We're honored to have such a dedicated volunteer join our organization." 
• Salvatore Mestichelli - Nominator Justine Moore said, "Sal has made an incredible contribution to the community if Logan Philadelphia over the past year, going above and beyond for a neighborhood which has historically been neglected... His impact has already been profound, and I believe will continue to the next generation of Logan community members via the work he has done."
• Catherine Quinn - Nominator Cara Scharf said, "Cat consistently dedicated her time to the CIVC 101 TA program and Civic Engagement LLC, showing up as a mentor and leader. She also made a commitment to civic engagement beyond the Lindy Center, serving several years with Sharing Excess to ensure no one faces food insecurity on campus."
• Jaara Ndaw - Nominator Steve Dolph said, "Jaara's work and commitment exemplifies the very best of what we hope for from our CBL Course Assistants.

Outstanding Lindy Center Student Leader Award

This award is given yearly to a student that has shown deep commitment to civic engagement and significant contribution to Lindy Center programming. This “rising star” is recognized as an emerging leader both on campus and in the community.

• Izzy Curtin - Nominator Zack Levy-Dyer (coming soon)

 Student Organization Awards for Promoting Public Service and Social Responsibility

This award is presented each year to a student organization that exhibits leadership in promoting the ideals of public service and social responsibility. We award organizations that make distinct marks in engaging volunteers and meeting community needs.

• Drexel Undergraduate Student Government Association Civic Engagement Committee - Nominator Faith Afuwape said, "This organization has influenced a lot of students and community members around civic engagement through events like their kit packing event to pack kits for unhoused Philadelphians, their Civic Engagement Fair, and voter registration graphics to educate potential voters, amongst many other events." 
  
• Zeta Beta Phi - Nominator Cara Scharf said, "This sorority has a focus on service and they commit to that by participating in events all over the city, such as the March of Dimes, a park cleanup at John Heinz Wildlife Park, and participating in MLK Day of Service." 

Outstanding Education Partner Award

This award is given to an individual, community organization, community school or campus partner that has been an outstanding co-educator of Drexel students or worked collaboratively with faculty and staff.

• Guadalupe Diaz, AIDS Care Group - Nominator Tariem Burroughs said, "Lupe has shown four cohorts of students what public health looks like in action. She has worked with students in developing measures and tools to sustain programs to address food insecurities. Under her guidance, students have developed, instituted, and evaluated questionnaires aimed at addressing food insecurities while maintaining the dignity of community members... Lupe has shown compassion, kindness, and diligence and makes her the ideal recipient for this award."
• Jessica Kratzer, CIVC 101 Instructor - Jess has been teaching for over 5 years and has helped the Lindy Center in other ways, such as facilitating a discussion for MLK Week. 
• Norris Square Neighborhood Project - Nominator Steve Dolph said, "Throughout our collaboration they have shown a deep commitment to exchange and reciprocity. So much more than an "outdoor clasroom", NSNP exemplifies quality campus-community partnership and commitment to long-term development."
• Samuel Powel School - Nominators Mary Jean Tecce DeCarlo, Vera Lee, and James Connell said, "The leaders, teachers, students, and families at Samuel Powel have been co-educators of Drexel students for more than a decade... Powel has also been a partner in the Philadelphia Teacher Residency program and the Professional Pathways Teacher Education pathway helping to prepare at least two new teachers for the profession." 
• Boys Latin Charter School
• Drexel Libraries - Nominator Cara Scharf said, "The Library and Archives have done amazing work using their collections for social justice and civic education, especially an exhibit about the history of student sit-ins at Drexel and a robust voting resource."

Staff Award for Campus and Community Engagement

This honor is given to one staff member each year that exhibits the tenets of good campus or community partnership in their efforts regardless of their university role. We seek to increase staff involvement in the programming of the Lindy Center for Civic Engagement to ensure that the entire campus is civically engaged in the City of Philadelphia.

• Jennifer Lacovara, CIVC 101 instructor
• Ahaji Schreffler, Senior Director of Education Abroad - Nominator Carrie Hutnick said, "Ahaji embodies civic engagement in the training, teaching, engagement, and community-building she leads and participates in at Drexel." 
• Bernetta McCall Millonde, Executive Director, Center for Inclusive Education and Scholarship - Nominator Cara Scharf said, "In her day job and role as a CIVC 101 instructor, Bernetta demonstrates a passion for social justice and for ensuring all students have the opportunity to succeed in an environment that was not built for them."