2005-06 President's Awards

President's Award for Outstanding Community Engagement
President's Award for Outstanding University Service

President's Award for Outstanding Community Engagement

The President's Award for Outstanding Community Engagement is an annual award recognizing students who have engaged in an ongoing community service effort off campus in an effort to make unique and significant contributions to community-based learning.

Jennifer Baldwin Senior-English and Women's Studies-CLAS
Jennifer can think of no better way to give back to her community than to volunteer her time and skills to create positive change. She has shown that by volunteering for the Children's Museum, Listen to Kids, the National Issues Forum, Sisters in Action, and the Downtown Chapel. She also worked as a student commissioner on the Oregon Student Assistance Commission.

Kyle Bray Graduate Student-Public Administration-UPA
Kyle has learned that he cannot feel personally or professionally successful without constant engagement with his community. Kyle has worked as a Graduate Assistant for the Office of Community-University Partnerships coordinating service projects and grant writing.

Vinh Hoang Senior-Biochemistry-CLAS
Vinh Hoang's involvement in different community projects has motivated him to continue to take part in building a stronger community. He aspires to become a physician to serve people from different walks of life. He has volunteered at the Portland Adventist Medical Center, for the Store to Door program, and with the Vietnamese Student Association.

Heather Hua Senior-Accounting/Finance-SBA
Heather's work with micro-entrepreneurs through the Business Outreach Program as a senior accounting intern, taught her to believe in her dreams and to be willing to work hard to achieve her goals despite risks and challenges. This experience has inspired her to serve others to help them succeed in their own dreams.

Colleen Jenkins Senior-Civil Engineering-MCECS
As chapter president, Colleen organized a multi-disciplinary team of engineering students to form a local student organization, Engineers Without Borders. The group was established as an opportunity for students to work on engineering projects that serve disadvantaged communities, domestically or abroad. This year, nineteen students volunteered on three successful projects in Nicaragua for credit towards their degree.

Megan Lockwood Senior-Biology/Pre-med-CLAS
Megan spent a large part of her time involved in the community. She volunteers at the Macdonald Center in Old Town, OHSU, and OMSI. She is a Physics Workshop Leader, neurophysiology researcher for Dr. Randy Zelick in the biology department, and is a member of Student Leaders for Service.

Robert McGown Senior-Science-CLAS
Robert has been fortunate to become skilled in a variety of activities from rock climbing to astronomy. He uses these skills in the community as Chair of RCA Cosmology Special Interest Group, Chair of the American Alpine Club, and various other organizations in the same field. It is an enriching experience to help raise funds for natural disaster victims, provide a safer outdoor environment and share his knowledge of the universe.

Mike Meyer Graduate Student-Social Work-GSSW
Mike believes that community service is part of the ethical and social pact of studying social work. He moved readily into community work with The Social Welfare Action Alliance, National Association of Social Workers, and various other community organizations.

Neelam Mishra Senior-Biochemistry-CLAS
Neelam has served the community as a member of the Nepali Association of Oregon and as a volunteer at the Portland International Community School and International Cultural Service Program.

Cecilia Orphan Senior-Political Science-UPA
Cecilia serves at King Elementary School working with the Star Reacher Achievement Program. With a deep concern for civic rights, this experience has challenged her to move beyond an academic understanding of inequality to an intimate acquaintance with its effects.

Jessica Tyner Graduate Student-Writing-CLAS
Jessica began serving the community with the Oregon Literacy program. She continued to serve the community through her sorority, Phi Sigma Sigma, and her involvement with Portland Literary Review, the Native American Student and Community Center, the Women Build division of Habitat for Humanity, and the Oregon Native American Chamber of Commerce. She serves as the Public Relations Director for the Daywalka Foundation, as a graduate mentor in University Studies and on the the President's Commission for the Status of Women.

Nikolai Ursin Senior-Community Development-UPA
Nikolai has been active in the community since enrolling at Portland State. He has volunteered with Hands On Portland, the Community Alliance of Tenants, and 1000 Friends of Oregon. He is working toward securing city funds for housing in Portland with the Community Development Network and their Affordable Housing NOW! Campaign.

President's Award for Outstanding University Service

The President's Award for Outstanding University Service is given annually to students for their commitment to volunteer activities in an effort to enhance the student experience at Portland State University.

Jennifer Baldwin Senior-English and Women's Studies-CLAS
Jennifer has been active in the Women's Studies Department working as a Queer Studies Mentor, and as a teacher in the Returning Women's Program coordinated by the Women's Resource Center. Her most significant contribution was serving on the Oregon Student Assistance Commission to help secure greater access to post-secondary education in Oregon.

Fernando Camacho Senior-Molecular/Microbiology/Pre-med-CLAS
Fernando has been involved with the Pre-Health Society since his first year at Portland State. He held the positions of Community Outreach Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, and Vice President. Fernando has also been involved with Student Leaders for Service as a liaison to the Jessie F. Richardson Foundation.

Sarah Cody Senior-Political Science-UPA
Sarah came to Portland State to pursue an education of service learning that would allow her to develop skills and networking she would need for a career in public service. She has volunteered or been employed with Student Leaders for Service, Admissions, Residence Life and the Student Ambassador Program.

Erin Hulme Senior-History-CLAS
Erin has been committed to serving Portland State University as a Student Ambassador and member of Student Leaders for Service. As an advocate for the student body and University, she has worked to foster beneficial relationships within the administration, the community and the government to improve the University's future. She is employed in the Office of Student Affairs and co-coordinates the Student Ambassador Program.

Eden Isenstein Graduate Student-Counselor Education-GSE
Eden has served as a Graduate Assistant in the Women's Resource Center where she co-created and co-facilitates a support group for sexual assault survivors and is teaching a peer theatre class that provides education regarding issues of sexual assault on campus.

Jessica Lyness Senior-Communication-CLAS
Jessica has been actively involved in student government and the Communication Student Association. She has coordinated or played a significant role in many events including: Rock for Relief, a hurricane Katrina benefit, Campus Media Forum, Forks for Flicks, Media Day and the Student Vote Coalition.

Ashley Mitchell Senior-Philosophy-CLAS
As a Resident Assistant, Ashley has worked on community building, served as a member of the Assistant Director Search Committee, and coordinated the Montgomery Customer Service Desk. She has also been actively involved in the Women's Resource Center and the Community Garden.

Anousa Sengsavanh Senior-Science-CLAS
As a returning student and single father, Anousa has been privileged to be as involved on campus as he has. As a student senator, Peer Advisor, and Vice President of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, he has had a complete college experience that includes service to and involvement with the University.

Michael Smith Junior-Mechanical Engineering-MCECS
Michael has proven his ability to be an active member of the community through his founding of the student organization, Advocates for Responsible Solutions, which urges individuals to assume more sustainable practices. He has also played a major role in bringing the Portland State chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers to new heights.

Nicole Stettler Senior-Psychology-CLAS
Nicole has provided services to students, faculty, and the institution as a statistics tutor, Teaching Assistant, Resident Assistant, peer advisor for the department of Psychology, Phi Chi officer, and Research Assistant. These opportunities have enhanced her education and allowed her to impact others in meaningful ways.

Laura Terrill Patten Graduate Student-Public Administration-UPA
Laura began her service to the University working as a University Advocate and Advocate Coordinator with the Alumni Association and Government Relations. She served as a graduate student senator to advocate for the University with the legislature. She is a Program Coordinator for the NEW Leadership Oregon program and Student Leaders for Service.

Tami Wallis Junior-Urban Studies and Planning-UPA
Tami has been involved with different community engagement activities throughout the last three years. This year she chaired the planning committee for the Seventh Annual Students Actively Changing Society conference. Tami's work through Student Leaders for Service has allowed her to serve the University and exemplify the University's motto.