Acts of Service

It was an honor to serve as a volunteer reviewer for a national educational literacy grant program and evaluate applications from Illinois public schools seeking support to expand their Spanish-English dual-language education. I was inspired by the schools’ efforts to create stronger and more equitable opportunities for bilingual and multilingual learners. This act of service helped me embody the NLU spirit by connecting my expertise as a bilingual educator, researcher, and leader with a commitment to community engagement, educational equity, and social impact. It also reminded me that service can have a meaningful impact on students, families, and communities by helping important educational initiatives receive the resources and recognition they need to grow.

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Volunteering at Chicago Admit Day allowed me to directly support prospective students and families as they explored what National Louis University has to offer. I helped staff a resource table, answered questions, and connected students with support services, helping create a welcoming environment. It was rewarding to see students grow excited about their future as they learned about housing, student engagement, career support, and academic programs. This experience embodied the NLU spirit of service, community, and student-centered support, reminding me that higher education is about more than academics — it's about fostering belonging and helping students succeed.

Today, I had the opportunity to volunteer with the Greater Chicago Food Depository by handing out food bags to members of the community. The experience was both humbling and rewarding. It reminded me that even a simple act of kindness can make a meaningful difference in someone's day. Seeing the gratitude and appreciation on people's faces gave me a deeper understanding of the importance of serving others with compassion and respect. This experience strengthened my appreciation for community service and inspired me to continue finding ways to give back and support those in need.

The meaningful act of service I completed was donating household necessities to church members in need.  Essential items for distribution include toiletries, clothing, paper products, and basic kitchen necessities. This experience reminded me that serving others extends beyond financial giving and reflects compassion through practical support. By sharing resources, I was able to demonstrate Christ's love in a tangible way while helping ease the burden of families facing difficult circumstances. This act strengthened my commitment to serving others with generosity, humility, and kindness, recognizing that even small acts of service can make a meaningful difference.

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My two daughters and I were able to celebrate NLU’s 140th birthday through this act of service.  

We spent one week in June in Southeast Kentucky on the Application Service Project.  During the week we lived in the basement of a church and spent our days helping to make existing homes warmer, safer and dryer.  We each worked on different construction projects to improve the living conditions for people in Appalachia.  By forming connections with the homeowners, we were able to see, assist and develop relationships with people who are often overlooked in today’s society.

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I'm a teacher and disability researcher who inspires my students to become future educators and chefs. Every Wednesday, I wear my NLU shirt on College Day, using it as a chance to talk with students about why they should consider attending NLU. I model what it means to be a lifelong learner and to give back to our many communities.

Over the past five years, more graduates from Waukegan District 60 and CPS Juarez Community Academy have chosen NLU and gone on to be very successful.

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Serving as Team Captain for NLU's Chase Corporate Challenge team was an absolute joy. I was honored to help bring together nearly 50 faculty and staff members, amazed that so many signed up with almost no promotion. There were teammates meeting for the first time, cheering each other on, whether they ran, walked, or just enjoyed being part of the team.

As Staff Council Co-Chair and Wellbeing Committee member, creating opportunities like this is one of my favorite ways to serve. It felt like the NLU spirit in action: building community and proving that the best team-building happens in matching T-shirts after work.

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Performing my act of service at UChicago AdventHealth Glen Oaks Hospital made me feel like I truly belonged to a dedicated and hardworking team during the EMS Week Barbecue. I had genuinely good conversations with the administration, staff, and paramedics who came and spent time with us.

I was one of forty NLU faculty, staff, and students who represented NLU at the 2026 Chicago Corporate Challenge, transforming a day of friendly competition into a meaningful act of service. Through teamwork and school spirit, our community helped support Association House, an organization that has strengthened Chicago communities for 126 years through programs addressing education, workforce development, health, and family needs.

Our participation embodied NLU's 140 Acts of Service initiative — using our collective energy to uplift our neighbors and advance a more inclusive society. The event strengthened connections among our NLU community and reinforced our commitment to service and lasting impact.

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Performing my act of service was meaningful and rewarding, reinforcing my commitment to education, leadership, and community. At NLU, I've supported scholarship funds and the 140th Anniversary Fund, led faculty training, and mentored students across interdisciplinary courses — knowing even small contributions have lasting impact.

Currently, I'm attending the Future Talent Leadership Summit 2026 in Stockholm, engaging with global educators and innovators while representing NLU's commitment to access, innovation, and student-centered learning. This reminded me that service isn't limited by geography.

This experience embodied the NLU spirit — student success, collaboration, and service — and strengthened my commitment to education and leadership.

Participating in the Chase run/walk 5K while celebrating a milestone birthday felt incredibly meaningful. Joining NLU was a chance to make history and challenge myself, and celebrating through service made it even more memorable.

The walk itself was inspiring. There were moments I felt tired and wanted to give up, but encouragement from fellow participants motivated me to keep moving. Their determination reminded me we shared a common goal, and that unity helped me push through.

This act of service embodied the NLU spirit — perseverance, community engagement, and impact. It reinforced the importance of supporting others while accepting support myself, values central to the NLU community.

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I participated in the CHASE walk/run 5k on Thursday, May 14th with a large group from National Louis University.