Campus Compact

Educating citizens • building communities

Home > Initiatives > Awards Programs > Newman Civic Fellows Award 2013 > The 2011 Newman Civic Fellows > Jillian Salsbury, New Hampshire Institute of Art, NH

site-map.jpg

Jillian Salsbury, New Hampshire Institute of Art, NH

Jillian Salsbury volunteered with first and second grade immigrants and refugees from across the world in two elementary classrooms teaching art. The children, who were limited in understanding the language and their new country, were quiet and sometimes shy, but in need of more effective ways of communicating that they were there to learn and grow in their new cultural environment. After learning how to express themselves and their feelings, these young minds transformed into smiling, and talkative first graders that felt a sense of community. She shared academic lessons, social skills, personal strengths and confidence with these young students.

 

I have always had a drive to serve others and work for the common good. But I never fully realized that I could go beyond volunteerism--that my opinion and hard work could influence policy decisions. My views changed when I sat in the office of one of my legislators in Washington, DC."

-Amanda Coffin, University of Maine at Farmington, Campus Compact student leader