Jaclyn DeCologero, Saint Anselm College

Jaclyn Decologero has been a fearless advocate for others since she arrived at Saint Anselm College. As a first semester freshman Jackie volunteered at a federal prison halfway house where she helped residents with their job search. Her passion and dependability lead the Meelia Center for Community Engagement to offer her the role of Student Coordinator of Criminal Justice Affiliates. Jackie assumed responsibility for the recruitment, placement and support of volunteers and service-learners at Hampshire House (the half-way house,) as well as the Manchester Police Athletic League.

She strengthened those college partnerships and worked to ensure that students were engaged in important work defined by the sites. That summer Jackie expressed her desire for a larger leadership role. She wanted to add a position that allowed her to develop strategies to address a community defined need involving youth. Previous community dialogues with the major refugee and immigrant communities in Manchester had identified college access assistance as a pressing need.

Jackie joined the College Access team in September and helped the program to develop an individualized approach for the high school participants. Her specific group focused on those students facing immediate application and financial aid deadlines. Because of her involvement a number of her students will be attending college this fall and the program is stronger going forward.