Graduates honored for local and international service

Each academic year, students at the Brown School contribute more than 170,000 hours to local community organizations and agencies. For 2016, the School has recognized nine students for their contributions through practicum work and volunteer service.

As communities benefit, so, too, do students. “The practicum program allows students to integrate classes and learning with real-world experience,” said Cynthia Williams, Assistant Dean for Field Education and Community Partnerships.

Eight students received the Dr. Clara Louise Meyers Outstanding Practicum Student Award:

• Veronica L. Bruesch, practicum student at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Greater St. Louis. Veronica established a partnership between the center and Oneida Behavioral Health Services which serves the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin. The partnership creates a more trauma-informed environment for care for tribal members.
• David A. De La Cerda, practicum student at the Division of Public Health Sciences. David’s work with neighborhood association and city government offices led to collaborations to address childhood obesity disparities.
• Galicia C. Guerrero, practicum student at the Youth Learning Center. Galicia helped the organization to create a new program and improved curriculum, using evidence-based practices to benefit youth.
• Shanea M. Harrington, practicum student at the Five Star Senior Center. Shanea took the lead in the successful grant application to expand transportation services for the center.
• Marquisha D. Lawrence, practicum student at the Gamaliel Foundation/Metropolitan Congregations United. In the midst of the Ferguson protests, Marquisha created a curriculum on the ties between social outcomes and racism. It reached more than 40 congregations across a range faith traditions.
• Audrey Lucas, practicum student at the Office for Socially Engaged Practice, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts. Audrey helped create and implement strategic plans to increase long-term sustainability of community outreach programs.
• Jessica Roth, practicum student at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. Jessica delivered outstanding support to patients by providing resources and performing intake, assessment, consultation and documentation.
• Madeline E. Seim, practicum student at BJC Behavioral Health. Madeline offered mental health care services in a clinical setting by co-facilitating multiple groups, serving a caseload of clients and contributing as a member of a dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) consultation team.

Durrell Smith received the Shirlee Fink Kahn Award for Volunteerism. Durrell served PIPES International (Partnership for Indigenous People), an organization that works with leaders and communities in Africa to address extreme poverty, and he helped to coordinate and facilitate the Youth Entrepreneurship Program in East St. Louis. His leadership helped youth discover their talents and use their abilities in school, after-school programs and the community.