2007-2008 Jane Addams Service Fellows

“In honor of Jane Addams, the crusader of social justice and the first American woman to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, the Jane Addams Center for Civic Engagement at Rockford College awards Jane Addams Student Service Fellowships to seven students each year. As Jane Addams Student Service Fellows, we organize and promote numerous civic engagement projects throughout the academic year. Over the years we have organized projects such as Make a Difference Day, Hunger and Homelessness Week, Community Awareness Month, General Elections Information Workshop, Alternative Spring Break, Homecoming Weekend and Alumni Month. Jane Addams Fellowship not only offers an opportunity to organize civic engagement events on campus, but it also provides fellows with needed resources to help those who need help at a local, national and an international level. As a college student, one is restricted in organizing big events due to many reasons. However, Jane Addams Center provides its fellows with necessary tools and experience to lead them to make a difference in people’s lives. If you have a passion for social justice and you want to make a real difference in the world, Jane Addams Center is the perfect place. It is our belief that nothing shrivels the meaning of human life like the ignorance of great opportunities for the care of underprivileged.”

-Mohit Singh

Jane Addams Service Fellows = Fun Teamwork Service

Josh Ryan, Nicole Cabe, & Laura Pugh Relaxing at Camp Winnebago High Ropes Course

Fellow Bio’s

Lisa Hiskey
“I was born and raised in Iowa and I started at Rockford College in the fall of 2005. I came to Rockford College to be a part of a community devoted to community service and caring about others and my hopes were definitely fulfilled! I am a junior Biochemistry student hoping to go to medical school after graduating from RC.

On campus I am involved with Alpha Helix, chemistry tutoring, the Rockford College Learning Center, Howard Colman Library, and, of course, the Jane Addams Center for Civic Engagement. Off campus I volunteer at Swedish American Hospital. I have traveled to Starkville, Mississippi for the Alan Hutchcroft Alternative Spring Break twice and I hope to return for many more years!”

Laura Pugh
“I am a senior psychology major from Sycamore, Illinois.  This is my third year as a Jane Addams Fellow, including one semester I spent as a service fellow overseas in London, England.  I have been involved in a variety of activities throughout my college experience including entertainment council, finance committee, alternative spring break, orientation, volleyball and tennis.  I have provided leadership as the president of student government, the president of the humanitarian action response team, the coordinator of the chili cook-off, and the student representative on several committees including the presidential scholarship committee, Christmas tree lane committee, and the campus internationalization committee.  My community involvement includes organizing a Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner for the homeless for The Carpenter’s Place, coordinating Halloween and Spring parties for children at Kar-Fre Flowers, serving breakfast to the less fortunate at the Metro Center Breakfast Program, helping set up and clean up at On the Water Front, helping needy children learn at Maya’s house, and organizing materials for a fundraiser for Tails Humane Society.  My most memorable experiences at Rockford College include attending an alumni conference in Atlanta, GA, building a shelter after the tsunami in Thailand, speaking at the President’s Opening Convocation as the student representative, and working with past administration to allow students a voice as the president of student government.  After graduation, I plan on attending Texas A and M to peruse a Masters in Educational Psychology.  I am excited to get married and move to Texas in August!”

Love Morgan
“I have been a Jane Addams Service Fellow for two years. Throughout my two year experience I have learned a lot about getting in involved in the community and spreading the word about being civically engaged. Being a service fellow has really gotten me out into the community to help others that are in need. My one project involved me helping out at an after school program. I really learned how to be patient with children and how to get them to cooperate well. My other project that I’ve done every year is Black History Month. During this month, it was my responsibility to get the word out about famous African Americans and their contributions to American society. I have really enjoyed my time at the J.A.C.C.E. and I would not trade it for anything else.”

Alix Sauld
“I’m currently a sophomore at Rockford College, and I’m majoring in Biochemistry, with a minor in Art History. I’m planning on going to Medical School to become a surgeon of some sort, and then plan on joining the Peace Corps or Doctors Without Borders.  This is my first year as a JACCE Fellow, but my second year as an M3C Fellow, which really helped me get involved with the JACCE. I decided to get involved with the JACCE because it was a great gateway into meeting other civically engaged students, and finding new opportunities, as well as trying to get other students civically engaged on campus. I’m also involved with Alpha Helix and SOAP on campus, as well as a volunteer at OSF St. Anthony’s Hospital, but my favorite volunteering opportunity is with my Burmese refugee family! They are the sweetest and most adoring people that I know and I just love getting to know them and helping them adjust and learn English. So far, my favorite JACCE events have been CANstruction, as well as Make-A-Difference Day, but I’m really looking forward to Green Week.”

Tara Steinberg
“I am a junior International Studies major and have been active in the Jane Addams Center since my freshman year. Before I was a Jane Addams Fellow I participated in the M3C Americorp fellowship program also offered through the JACCE. Throughout the past three years I have participated in many community service activities and programs.  So far my favorite events to organize have been the International Day of Peace and the Thanksgiving Dinner for the Homeless. My most favorite and current work has been volunteering with a refugee family from Burma helping them to learn English and adjust to life in America.”