Title:College program offers social impact experiences

In 2019, Thomas Chiarolanzio, senior associate dean and director of advising at the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS), brainstormed ways to create a program where students with growing interest in social impact careers could learn from alumni in those fields. Funded by the dean’s office, the Social Responsibility Network (SRN) was established to create a cohort-based alumni mentorship program.

Having run CAS’s Baker Scholars Program, which offers liberal arts students with interest in business the opportunity to explore different careers, Chiarolanzio aims to make SRN a similarly impactful program for students interested in social justice, service-based, and social impact careers.

An advisory board of five alumni, all of whom are professionals in nonprofit organizations, was established early on to mentor the students based on their similar interests and expertise. The board has grown to eight members.

Every year, over 50 students show interest, but the program can support only around 30 students. First-year students may apply to join their sophomore year and stay in the program until they graduate.

The program has three committees chaired by students. The site and service visits committee sets up visits with nonprofit organizations, while the speaker committee identifies guest speakers of interest to host during monthly meetings and the communications committee produces newsletters every semester to inform the board and others of new learning opportunities.

The program is designed for students to experience hands-on learning. Last fall, students from the program visited Capital Area Food Bank and One Tent Health. They also volunteered as a group at the food bank.

Daisy Fynewever (C’26), who is studying Environmental Biology and Justice and Peace Studies with a minor in Spanish, came to Georgetown because she wanted to work in the nonprofit and advocacy field.

“SRN has been a great resource, helping me discover jobs I didn’t know existed and make connections in many different fields,” says Fynewever, co-chair of the site and service visits committee. “I especially enjoyed speaking with Mackenzie Copley (C’15), founder of One Tent Health,” which ensures that affordable HIV tests are available to all.

Chiarolanzio hopes the program can eventually offer summer stipends for students to do internships at nonprofit organizations. He would also love to find a sponsor for weekend excursions to other metro areas for site and service visits.

“Those experiences of being on the ground and doing the work are very impactful, but some students can’t afford to do it,” he says, noting that he hopes to find funding to support more students.