Jess Short, Grand View University
Jess Short, a third year student at Grand View University, is passionate about helping children. Jess launched Grand View’s first Dance Marathon (GVDM) and in it’s first year raised over $2,000. This past year the goal was to raise $8,000 in support of hospitalized children and their families and this year they raised over $10,000. More impressive than the fundraising total was that Jess recruited over 250 students to volunteer and be a part of GVDM. Jess also spends time volunteering with Children’s Cancer Connection, Blank Children’s Hospital, Make a Wish Foundation, Big Brothers and Big Sisters and is a member of the campus volunteer organization, Viking Volunteers. This spring Jess has focused her efforts on expanding service-learning at Grand View by coordinating a service fair and creating a permanent position of Community Outreach Chair on the university’s student government. This position will promote civic engagement within Grand View’s student organizations and work directly with community partners. Jess is a leader on our campus and will certainly be a leader creating change and impacting our community after she graduates.
-Kent Henning, President
I have always been passionate about working with kids and helping others. I knew that I wanted to be actively involved in college, but I never knew just where exactly engagement would lead me. I have volunteered at a summer camp for kids battling cancer for going on 4 summers now and it opened my heart to so many different opportunities to make a difference. I have started a Miracle Network Dance Marathon program on my campus with a group of students, volunteered at Blank Children’s Hospital and worked closely with Children’s Cancer Connection and their in-hospital programs. Currently, I am interning at my local Make-A-Wish Foundation chapter, and will be starting to volunteer as a Relief Manager at the Ronald McDonald House as well as Big Brothers Big Sisters. Through serving on ICAP and as a Civic Ambassador through Iowa Campus Compact, my world view has become so much larger. I am currently working with staff and nonprofit organizations in the area to bring a service fair to campus to match students with opportunities aligned with their own interests. My passion for helping kids and families engulfs my life and service has made such a huge difference in my life.
-Jess Short
