SRU Civic Scholars Program
The goal of the Civic Scholars program is to empower participating students to take actions that improve the SRU campus and external community, and the quality of life of its members, as preparation for lives of public purpose and engaged citizenship.
By the end of the developmental 4-year program, the SRU Civic Scholars will be able to:
- Engage civically on campus and in the local community.
- Describe how their identity shapes their approach to service.
- Motivate peers to engage in community service and civic action
- *Apply a civic skillset to their chosen profession, community and personal life.
- Create a signature work that benefits the community.
*The civic skillset for the Civic Scholars program includes:
- Knowledge of place and community as context for learning, engagement and action.
- Ability to reflect on experience to gain insight and guide action.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with others.
- Listen attentively and with patience
- Convey ideas across difference - orally and in writing
- Name and frame community issues.
- Develop cultural humility, empathy, compassion, and courage to act in service of the greater good
- Develop and explain a personal understanding of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
- Seek out and engage with multiple perspectives
- Demonstrate a commitment and responsibility to self and others.
The Civic Scholars program is based on four cornerstones:
Cornerstone 1: FIND YOUR PURPOSE: (1st semester of program)
- Students formulate their public purpose through an active exploration of the community context and issues and undertake an experiential discovery of diverse pathways of service and civic engagement that could address them.
Cornerstone 2: PURSUE YOUR PATH: (2nd semester through end of 2nd year)
- Students connect their passions and purpose with the needs and interests of community members and apply their gifts, talents and skills to serve others and motivate peers to engage in service and civic action.
Cornerstone 3: MAKE AN IMPACT: (3rd year)
- Students implement a signature work that, in collaboration with others, benefits the community and the lives of community members in a meaningful and measurable way.
Cornerstone 4: LEAVE A LEGACY: (4th year)
- Students demonstrate their achievement of program outcomes and developmental journeys of learning and growth through civic action portfolios designed to inspire and motivate others to serve and lead for the public good.
The SRU Civic Scholars are sponsored by the Frank & Margaret Haverlack Good Citizen Scholarship.
Meet the Sru scholars
Rylee Merwin
Rylee is currently a Senior at SRU, studying Environmental Geoscience. Her site placement is the Macoskey Center for Sustainability, Education and Research and plays an active role as the Volunteer Coordinator. She is inspired to lead as a civic leader every day by virtue of the way she was raised. She believes that everyone deserves a helping hand and equal opportunities, so she will put her all into any role that makes that happen. Coordinating events and groups of volunteers to achieve a common goal interests her the most when it comes to areas of service. And she is looking forward to passing the torch onto new Civic Scholars as she graduates this December.
Justin Nowelle
Justin is currently a Sophomore at SRU, studying Strategic Communication and Media with a concentration in Digital Media Production! For the 24-25 school year, he is most excited about making an impact on the future of Slippery Rock University. He states, “As I learn from those who are ahead of me in the program, it will be my biggest tool in knowing exactly how to be effective in my campaign.” His inspiration is rooted in the city he was born in, the big city of New York. A young man growing up in poverty and raised by his grandmother is dedicated in being a model for his younger family members. Overall, he is inspired and determined to leave a legacy behind his last name that people can be proud of. His legacy at SRU would have to start with being a helping hand and reaching out to people who can help him improve as a leader, so that later in his journey, he too can pass the baton down. To learn is everlasting and you can further improve every day. That’s why he is fully equipped to make a change with the Civic Scholars Program.
Riley Trumbull
Riley is currently a Senior at SRU, studying Art! Riley states that gaining new experiences and meeting new people is the best experience at SRU, because seeing people connect with each other makes for the fueling of inspiration! Riley really enjoys working with people on events or projects in which students can explore creatively and connect over having fun. The legacy left behind by Riley will be inspirational to students with similar interests and character and will show others that anyone can be a leader, even in times of fear and doubt.
Marco Schiebel
Marco is currently a Freshman at SRU, studying to earn a bachelor's degree in fine arts! He is most excited to engage in a larger community of people and is open to all areas of service! Through being a Civic Scholar, Marco will follow in his stepdad’s footsteps in helping others, serving as his inspirational role model does. While at SRU, Marco would like to leave a legacy behind as a Civic Scholar. That legacy is to be remembered as someone who was consistent and reliable, making for a well-rounded leader!
Kaylee Rhinehart
Kaylee is currently a Senior at SRU, studying to earn a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science! She enjoys continuing to build relationships with community members and growing her service-related skillset. When asked about what inspires her as a civic leader, Kaylee states, “I love learning about the community organizations and meeting their members who feel so passionately about their causes. Directly seeing the impact I'm making is the most rewarding part of service.” Areas of service that interest Kaylee the most include working in healthcare and with youth programming. As a Civic Scholar, Kaylee hopes to leave behind a legacy outlining the importance of giving back to the community no matter how busy you become. She believes that it is very important to prioritize service in one’s daily schedule, making her a well-rounded and self-less leader.
Ella Malogrino
Ella is currently a Sophomore at SRU, studying Environmental Geoscience and Integrative Biology! She is most excited to meet fellow students of the Civic Scholar program and to return to her site placement, the Butler Art Center and Gallery! Her love for SRU’s campus and community inspires her as a Civic Leader. She strives to help others wherever and whenever she can. Volunteering and mentoring are two areas of service that interest Ella the most. While continuing at SRU, she would like to leave a legacy behind of volunteerism, inclusion, and kindness.
Stefanie Mounts
Stefanie is currently a Freshman at SRU, studying Early Childhood Education. Stefanie is most excited to make an impact in a new and fresh community that she is not familiar with! Being new to SRU, there are a lot of opportunities to connect with new people and network! What inspires Stefanie to be a civic leader to those around her is her own family. They play an important role in the person she is and will become. Areas of service in which she thrives include volunteering with organizations that have similar beliefs and practices as her. While at SRU, Stefanie would like to leave behind a legacy of impact and change through her community service and commitment.
Elizabeth Brison
Elizabeth is currently a Freshman at SRU, studying Cellular and Molecular Biology. Coming into SRU, she is excited for the opportunity to meet others like herself, who find value in volunteering and being of service to the community. She is also looking forward to starting one or more service projects. When asked about her inspiration as a civic leader, Elizabeth states, “As someone with a disability, I have experienced the lack of accommodation and the harm of ignorance in my life. For example, I have been denied access to countless sites due, simply, to the fact that I have a service dog.” Hearing of countless others who had been denied rights or accommodation due to the simple nature of their person and seeing such a harsh reality is what fuels her love for leadership and service in my area, something she is confident she can carry out at Slippery Rock. The legacy she would like to leave behind is the idea of "listening to hear.” This was an idea developed by her mentor, Mary Jo Podgurski, where one is available and open to listening without thinking up a response. Someone reliable to listen and hear a message will understand, not what should be changed or done, but the collective consensus of true value in the changes that could be made. In her time at Slippery Rock, Elizabeth hopes to make these rights as equal as possible and will accomplish this by making these ideas prevalent to the school.
Sophia Plock
Sophia is currently a Sophomore at SRU, studying Exercise Science with the Physical Therapy 3+3 track. What excites Sophia the most about joining the Civic Scholar team is having a role in which she knows she will be making a difference in the community as well as networking with others who have similar goals and interests. When asked about inspiration, Sophia states that knowing that she is a part of helping someone, even if it is in a small way, reaps great reward and inspiration. When it comes to areas of service, helping under-served communities is where Sophia’s heart is at. For example, her current role is providing tutoring opportunities for school aged youth experiencing homelessness or foster care. She also enjoyed supporting the local Humane Society! Sophia has loved her time so far at Slippery Rock and is grateful for the opportunity to continue growing in civic service. In her legacy at SRU, Sophia is proud to have been able to be part of improving academic performances for the youth involved in the tutoring program. Working to help others has made such significant differences in her lifestyle that she hopes to continue to grow in all areas of her life.
HAVERLACK GOOD CITIZEN SCHOLARSHIP
The Frank and Margaret Haverlack Good Citizen Scholarship at Slippery Rock University was established by C. Elliott Haverlack (’80) in 2019 with a donation of $1,000,000. Haverlack scholarships support highly motivated, high-need students who demonstrate a “Servant Heart” and a commitment to becoming the community service leaders of tomorrow. Haverlack scholars are expected to uphold community service as a way of life at Slippery Rock University and beyond.
For more information or to apply, please click here.
