Margaret Korte
Print/Podcast Editor
“Summer is a really great time for students to explore interests,” Kerry Arens, Chelsea Center coordinator, said.
Through the Chelsea Center, students can find summer experiential learning programs and opportunities to help them explore what they are interested in.
These programs are listed on the website Givepulse, where students can scroll through the list of available opportunities. They can also filter their search through different categories, like a program’s causes or pathways, or by keyword. For example, students can type in “summer” to see only opportunities for summer break.
Arens said Givepulse is a “warehouse of opportunities,” and the website serves as a way for students to be able to see for themselves what’s available.
The Chelsea Center staff gets notified when a student registers for an opportunity in Givepulse and will reach out to them to meet.
“We try to call everyone in,” Chelsea Center coordinator Patrick Bommarito said. They then schedule a meeting, usually during academic networking—though they will find any time that works.
Depending on the program, the Chelsea Center can provide varying support: in some cases, they can help to pay for an opportunity, build a resume or application, or answer whatever questions they may have.
Arens said Givepulse and the Chelsea Center can “serve as a conduit to opportunities.” Programs have their own applications, and acceptance for those applications aren’t through the Chelsea Center, but they will help with the process.
Arens said the Chelsea Center helps students “put their best foot forward.”
If there’s something they’re interested in outside of Givepulse, the Chelsea Center can help them find other opportunities.
“We don’t want students who don’t know what they want to do, to feel like they can’t come in,” Arens said.
“Students can just pop by anytime,” Arens said. However, she said she understands if students feel intimidated by an in-person visit and can always email a Chelsea Center staff member.
“[Going in-person] can be a barrier to some students,” Arens said, but it doesn’t have to stop them from reaching out. A student can send an email and give some things they are interested in, and the Chelsea Center will respond with links for the student.
Students can also fill out the Chelsea Center interest form, and they will reach out to them for a meeting once they have received the response.
Givepulse can be a good way for students to be introduced to available programs before reaching out. It allows them to “explore before coming in,” Arens said.
Summer experiences in general can be beneficial to students by introducing them to something they could be interested in.
Regardless of the program, the Chelsea Center aims to provide students with experiences that they are passionate about and to support them through every step.
“It can be nice to know you have a team here,” Arens said.
Feature Photo: Kerry Arens and Jennifer Willenborg outside The Chelsea Center on Oct. 5, 2021. Photo from Echo archives.
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Margaret Korte–Print/Podcast EditorThis will be Margaret Korte’s second year on ECHO staff. She made several contributions while taking journalism class her freshman year. |
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