Spreading Seeds of Change
Our CCG Super Students
Allison Tietz - Garden Manager
How has the CCG influenced your life outside of the organization: "I find myself valuing other people's contributions more. Every person has a different skill set, viewpoint, and various connections that can help."
After graduating with her Environmental Biology major in May 2021, Allison's future occupational goals include "designing and planting a pollinator garden and a new hangout spot to encourage student and community interactions."
Alexandria Ashley - Student Intern
For Alex, working with the CCG meant that she was able to "be a part of something much bigger than myself. I was able to see how talents from various individuals came together to help our community as a whole."
Alex, on working with older adults: "I feel that I have gained a new perspective by learning more about the senior citizen community while working with them."
See her again in the upcoming 2020-2021 academic year: "I plan to continue my membership with this amazing community, as well as tell other students about it to help spread awareness and get them more involved in helping the Wingate community."
Morgan Summers - CCG Student (alumna)
Morgan had this to say about her experience:
"Working within the CCG was an unexpected opportunity that allowed me to push the boundaries of traditional education. We took on the responsibilities of a professor in order to construct the course and being students ourselves helped give us a clear perspective on what would be beneficial to other students. Being a part of the CCG allowed us to form connections within the community while bringing our attention to things that could use improving. Working within the CCG has strengthened my passion for helping others and has also pushed me out of my comfort zone. It has given me experience in taking control of a task with team members and seeing our goals come to fruition. My experience within the CCG has definitely prepared me to succeed in my pursuit of a Masters degree in Social Work and my career after that."
Rosi Perez Garcia - CCG Student
For Rosi, working within the CCG was "like riding with patrol and never knowing what one was going to get into. Which always turned out to be a good thing with some funny moments in between. The CCG has influenced me by getting more involved with my community and trying to find ways to better it."
When asked if she plans to work with the CCG in her final year of classes, Rosi plans to stay involved with the CCG by becoming an ally or mentoring other students.
Chloe Moran - CCG Student
Chloe had this to say about her experience working with Dr. Ritter's Sociology of Aging - Service Learning course in the Spring 2020 semester:
"Working for the CCG taught me so much more about the community. Being a student at Wingate I had no idea what the community needed until working with the CCG. It definitely helped me understand what I need to do in order to make a difference and help the community improve on its weaknesses.
This has helped me become a more rounded person. Also has helped me think of different ways I can help in each community that I live in to make it better. As well as working with anyone and helping them in anyway that I can.
I plan on continuing my collaboration with the CCG to help finish what we’ve started. Granted, there are always going to be things we can do, but to help make the list shorter. Also, find new ways that we can make the community better and work together as a whole."
Chloe will be graduating in 2021 with a major in Psychology and double minors in Sociology & Medical Sociology.
Brandy Fuentes-Delgado - CCG Psychology & Sustainability Intern
As a member of the class of 2022, Brandy is currently working on her double major in Human Services and Marketing.
What she has to say about her work with the CCG: "The CCG has opened doors of opportunity for me in every way imaginable. Not only is it a safe space where I can express my social, economic, and ecologic concerns, but it is also a place where my ideas come to life with the help of amazing professors, peers, and community partners. In the classroom, we learn. At the CCG we practice and apply. For me, the CCG is a place that challenges me, making me a better person professionally and personally.
Currently, I am working to build the Cultural Leadership Initiative. The Cultural Leadership Initiative was born from a conversation with Dr.Niland. It's a dream come true. My job is to assist in creating a team of highly motivated students and faculty to address community concerns on Wingate's campus and the surrounding area. I am also honored to continue working alongside Dr.Lapan as a research assistant to study cognitive development in children."
Adden Howard - Assistant Executive Director/ Leadership Intern
Adden has been working hard for the CCG since 2019, starting as an undergraduate student.
He says that "working for CCG has brought forward transformation within myself as well as the people I am close too. The cultivation and efficiency within the CCG space have grown tremendously! The beauty inside those four walls, where we exchange brilliant ideas and prepare upcoming plans with non-profit organizations, the community, and Wingate events is made up of the voices of the students who are heard and then applied into those greater non-profit organization, community projects and Wingate events.
The CCG has brought out my inner childhood that I thought didn’t exist anymore. As we grow older and smarter, we typically forget to enjoy the little things in life. This includes bike riding, camping or even taking a quick stroll into your nearest park just to enjoy mother nature creations. I find myself being more down to earth with the simplest things now. In my spare time now I usually read, go for a quick or find new adventures within hiking. The CCG has increased my comfort zone and also my discomfort to want to do more as well as something different."
Adden will be transitioning into a new CCG role as a Graduate Assistant after graduating in Spring 2020 with his degree in Exercise Science.
His plans for the upcoming year? "This upcoming Fall semester I will be a Graduate Assistant for the CCG. In this position I have brainstormed a few ideas which include podcast, new developments (Wooden Table, Logos, Apparels) and upcoming adventures"