Community Engagement Awards Honor Students, Faculty, Community Partners
The Institute for Civic and Community Engagement at St. John Fisher University recognized students, faculty, and community partners during the annual Community Engagement Awards, held on Tuesday, April 21.
In addition to the awards, the celebration included a reception with networking, displays of community-engaged learning projects and work, a performance from Fisher’s a cappella group Drastic Measures, and remarks from President Rooney.
“Each year, Fisher students complete thousands of hours of service, internships, and community-engaged learning experiences. These hours are more than numbers; they represent moments of confidence gained, skills strengthened, and a sense of belonging deepened. They also represent students discovering their responsibility to contribute to the common good,” he said.
Makenna Hansen received the Tehan Outstanding First-Generation Scholar Award. During her time at Fisher, she supported the Lifespan ROC Respite Program with compassion and went the extra mile to ensure memory loss clients have a safe and engaging experience. Hansen also leads ROC Respite’s Vivid-Pix project, scanning photos and artifacts for their clients and recording and attaching the audio stories. On Fisher’s campus, she has demonstrated outstanding leadership as the group leader for her chemistry group and First-Generation seminar. Additionally, she serves on the board of her community’s local theatre company as the fundraising chair, and is a volunteer EMT and firefighter.
Evan Hernandez received the Tehan Outstanding Service Scholar Award for his partnership with Friendly Senior Living. He has supported Friendly Senior Living’s initiatives and represented the organization at this year’s Scholar Community Partner Fair, sharing his experience with first-year scholars. Hernandez has demonstrated outstanding leadership as a men’s volleyball team member, ensuring teammates feel a sense of belonging on and off the court. He participates in the Sport Management Club and has volunteered for several Office of Admissions events including Open Houses, and serving as part of the application review process for incoming scholarship candidates.
Two students received the Community-Engaged Learning Student Award for their exemplary commitment, integrity, collaborative approach, and professionalism to their community-engaged learning projects. Dallas O’Keefe was recognized for her coursework in promotions management on behalf of A Meal and More, and Maddy Witkiewicz was recognized for her coursework as part of the palliative and end-of-life care course on behalf of Isaiah House.
Dr. Anthony Siracusa, assistant professor of history and community engagement, received the Community-Engaged Learning Faculty Award. He teaches a Cardinal Experience course that serves as a capstone of the Fisher education where senior students showcase their learning and become active citizens in their communities, on and off-campus. Over the past two years, Siracusa has guided three separate groups of students to gather and document the history of Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church. This partnership has involved students interviewing members of the church to gather family stories and an understanding of the church’s role in Rochester through the Underground Railroad, Women’s Suffrage movement, Civil Rights movement, and more.
Nativity Preparatory Academy, a tuition-free Catholic middle school serving students of all faiths, was given the Scholar Community Partner Above and Beyond Award.
Curtis Jones, of JustCause, was honored with the Community-Engaged Learning Community Partner Award for his partnership with the legal research course this past fall. He came to class and worked with a specific group of students educating them about landlord-tenant laws. By the end of the semester, the students were well-versed in landlord-tenant rights and created short TikTok videos about issues tenants sometimes face.
Community members involved in the Institute’s Center for Nonprofit Leadership were also recognized at the ceremony.
Carol Love, Advisory Board Fellow, received the Doherty-Grossman Community Hero Award for her longstanding commitment to the Center for Nonprofit Leadership programs. This award is presented in honor of Ed Doherty and Howard Grossman, former Fellows who passed away this year.
Participants in the Board Leadership Seminar Spring 2026 cohort included Kaitlyn Argus, The Red Tie Society (Ronald McDonald House Charities); Caytie Bowser, Causewave Community Partners; Mike Evans, Taproot Collective; Sareer A. Fazili, Discovery Charter School; William Grande, Writers & Books; Melissa Haubner, Our Children’s Place; Linda Knipe, Genesee-Orleans Regional Art Council; Carol Martinez, Northwest Family YMCA; and Megan McCormick, Girls on the Run Greater Rochester.
Graduates of the Nonprofit Management Certificate Program included Hilary Argentieri, Golisano Foundation; Sarah Engel, Rochester Oratorio Society; Kevin Graham, Soulstainable Living LLC; Julie Locey, Vertus Charter School; Nathaniel Mich, Taproot Collective; Sandra Perl, The Living Well Mission; Christina Schermerhorn, READY Inc.; Stefanie Szwejbka, Child Advocacy Center of Greater Rochester; and Lateisha Thompson Ukejeh, Family Promise of Greater Rochester.
