Three Nazareth students attend virtual CGI U conference and learn how to help communities during COVID-19

There is a silver lining for the three Nazareth College students that were selected to attend the 12th Annual Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) 2020. It was originally set at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, from April 17-19 — the first international CGI U conference. While the in-person conference was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, CGI U worked hard to create a virtual CGIU at Home on Saturday, April 18. Virtual attendees will learn how student leaders can make a difference and help communities in need during the COVID-19 crisis.

As part of CGI University 2020, President Clinton and Chelsea Clinton are bringing together leading voices in public health, government, and philanthropy to discuss the COVID-19 crisis and how we can work together to overcome the complex health, economic, and societal challenges that it presents. The program will also explore ways we can continue to support each other and build resilience in our communities — and how students can be part of the solution.

CGI U originally chose the Nazareth students to join 600 innovative student leaders from around the world to pursue Commitments to Action in one of CGI U's five focus areas: education, environment and climate change, peace and human rights, poverty alleviation, and public health.

Nazareth College CGI U students' projects seek to give a voice to people with autism, enlist musicians to support services for people who are homeless, and build a new plastic recycling program.

Watch them present their projects to Congressman Joe Morelle and Nazareth President Daan Braveman

Meagan Maher '20 (business management and community youth development double major with interfaith and religious studies minors)

CGI U Commitment to Action: Autistically Beautiful

Faculty/Staff Advisor: Erika Hess, director of Student Accessibility Services

Focus Area: Peace and Human Rights

CGI U Commitment to Action: Meagan's CGI U project goal is to have professors and students learn from and accept people with disabilities. The mission of Autistically Beautiful is to create a safe environment for everyone to be themselves and feel accepted for who they are as a person. Meagan wants to create an environment where students feel comfortable and confident in sharing their personal experiences on neurodiversity with others. Sharing personal stories with others is significant because it removes barriers between one another and creates a discussion on societal stereotypes.

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Jazlyn Melindo '20 (music major)

CGI U Commitment to Action: Busking for the Homeless

Faculty Advisors: Dr. Leanne Charlesworth, professor of social work, and Nancy Strelau, an associate professor of music who's also associate director for the School of Music

Focus Area: Poverty Alleviation

CGI U Commitment to Action: Jazlyn committed to using the musical talents from local buskers (a person who entertains in a public place for donations) to advocate and fundraise for a homelessness organization. The commitment maker will team up with one of Rochester's non-profit organizations and a public market, and create an event where buskers dedicate their time and talent to raise money and awareness.

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Natasha George '20 (international studies major)

CGI U Commitment to Action: Precious Plastic in the Rochester Community

Advisor: Dr. Devparna Roy and Gilbert Verdugo

Focus Area: Environment and Climate Change

CGI U Commitment to Action: In 2020, Natasha is committed to acquiring resources to create a recycling project in Rochester based off of blueprints for four machines presented by Precious Plastic. This includes a shredder, an extruder, an injector, and a compression machine so that plastic of various types can be converted into new products. The mission is to foster a community-based collaboration through networking with local groups, non-profit organizations, and businesses in order to fund, build machines, and implement a new recycling program that can be used as a model in other communities across the world.

About CGI U

Building on the successful model of the Clinton Global Initiative, which brings together world leaders to take action on global challenges, President Bill Clinton launched the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) in 2007 to engage the next generation of leaders on college campuses around the world. CGI U is proof that young people have the power to make a significant impact by confronting some of the world's most urgent challenges. Since 2008, students have made more than 6,250 Commitments to Action, and nearly $3 million in funding has been awarded to these commitment-makers through CGI U.

Special recognition to Adam Lewandowski, Professor Jennifer Leigh, and Christina Luther for coaching these students through the project development and application process.

Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.

Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.

• published: 2020 April
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