Learning From Their Service-Learning Experience

When Salih Kaleel and Noor Noor decided to be part of the first group of Onondaga Community College students participating in the Meg O'Connell Social Justice Scholars Program, they had no idea how much they would get out of helping others. "The great part of our experience came from putting ourselves out in the community and applying what we had learned in the classroom," said Noor. "Service learning was a great way to do that."

Noor and Kaleel were among more than a dozen students who got together near the end of the fall semester for a conversation titled "Let's Taco 'Bout Social Justice." While enjoying tacos for lunch, the students exchanged stories about their rewarding service-learning experiences at organizations across Onondaga County including the YWCA, Meals on Wheels, and Interfaith Works.

The stories they shared were exactly what Eric Allyn had in mind when he presented Onondaga Community College with $1 million for the creation of the "Meg O'Connell Center for Social Justice and Community Impact" in honor of his wife who is OCC's former Interim President and Chair of the Board of Trustees. The money  provided support for current and future students in volunteer and service-learning opportunities. Through these opportunities, students use their undergraduate experience to support local efforts, gain work experience, and use their expertise to improve our community.

Kaleel and Noor, who are both in OCC's Mathematics & Science degree program, were selected to help students with math at the North Side Learning Center. Kaleel used to go there when he was a student at Henninger High School and embraced the opportunity. "We felt like we would really contributing to our community by doing this," he said.

What surprised both Kaleel and Noor was how much they helped students in subjects other than math including chemistry, physics, and business. "We were so surprised to learn we actually had capacity to go beyond math and science to help students in literature. By helping them with history and literature we learned we could go beyond our field of study," said Noor.

Their efforts were greatly appreciated at the North Side Learning Center. "Salih and Kaleel were wonderful to work with," said Aasiya Sellers, Program Coordinator. "I was surprised with how much more they helped than we bargained for! They showed up every time with bright smiles and positive attitudes, were incredibly respectful, well mannered, and kind with everyone they interacted with - staff and students alike."

The student service-learning opportunities were completed under the leadership of Dr. Annie Tuttle, Faculty Coordinator for the Meg O'Connell Social Justice Scholars Program, and Tim Saka, External Coordinator for the Civic Engagement Center, Meg O'Connell Social Justice Scholars Program.

Below is a list of students and student-mentors who participated, and the organizations which benefitted from their service-learning:

• YWCA     Mentor: Kat Mann     Scholar: Autumn Simard
• Meals on Wheels     Mentor: Frances Perez-Nunn     Scholar: Saray Quevedo
• Brady Farm     Mentor: Mohammad Afsar     Scholar: Alex Espiita
• North Side Learning Center     Mentor: Mohammad Afsar     Scholar: Salih Kaleel
• North Side Learning Center     Mentor: Salih Kaleel     Scholar: Noor Noor
• Interfaith Works     Mentor: David Alexander     Scholar: Muhammed Abedrabbah
• Interfaith Works     Mentor: Shayne Turo     Scholar: Glenna Jackson
• Community Care Hub     Mentor: Bethany Witherell    Scholar: Chaiya Renfroe
• Common Read Student Ambassador     Mentor: Maddie Shafer     Scholar: Doreen Carbajal
• Also serving as a mentor: Kenneth Bivens