Gretta Schaaf, Providence College

Gretta Schaaf is a junior Public and Community Service Studies major at Providence College. Since her first semester on campus, Gretta has engaged in thoughtful community engagement around issues of education and justice through her work with the EXPLORE! program. The mission of EXPLORE! is to “promote awareness of, access to, and readiness for college and career among first-generation urban high school students.” Through her long-term commitment to the students at the Academy for Career Exploration, Gretta has built relationships with school leaders and students, facilitating conversations about how to empower students to imagine their future within higher education and professional careers. As the Service-Learning Assistant within the Feinstein Institute for Public Service, Gretta has also supported the broader work of cultivating reciprocal partnerships between the College and community organizations. She acts as a thought partner and collaborator around issues such as service-learning orientation and training, student leadership development, and reflection. Gretta approaches her work in community with a deep sense of civic responsibility, a compassionate concern for the human dignity of her neighbors, and a focus on cultivating sustainable partnerships.