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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

MCC Pre-Collegiates host Rochester AmeriCorps Volunteers


On September 24th, four members of Rochester AmeriCorps joined the STEP, Upward Bound and Liberty Partnerships Program teams at MCC. The collaboration between the Pre-collegiate programs and AmeriCorps is resulting in an improved quality of mentoring and tutoring services and an increased number of activities and workshops provided for the programs’ participants. 

Tom Cardot, a second-year AmeriCorps member, holds an associate degree from Alfred State College in veterinary technology. He also has a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Geneseo, where he double majored in anthropology and biology, with a minor in linguistics. Cardot will specialize as STEP’s Senior Advisor and Community Liaison.

Vanessa Rodriguez joined STEP as a Program Advisor who will specialize in Workforce Development. Rodriguez graduated from SUNY Potsdam with a double major in sociology and criminal justice. She is fluent in Spanish. In addition to her other duties with STEP, Rodriguez will advise the program’s chapter of National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) Jr.

Spencer Sisson holds a degree in writing, literature and publishing from Emerson College and will be serving as a new Program Advisor for Upward Bound. Sisson will be tutoring students in the subject of English, as well as helping them prepare college admissions essays. He is responsible for the coordination and implementation of a financial literacy program for Upward Bound students and parents.

Amanda Anderson received her BA in anthropology from SUNY Cortland and her MA from University of Nebraska at Lincoln. She will be serving Liberty Partnerships Program as the on-site advisor for Northeast and Northwest College Preparatory Schools.

Together, the AmeriCorps members of the pre-collegiate programs will be facilitating the Pre-Collegiate Service Scholars community service club. The club is an excellent opportunity for pre-collegiate students to get involved in their communities, learn about the importance of community service, and potentially qualify for the President’s Volunteer Service Award.  AmeriCorps is a national service program, its participants pledge a year of full-time community service. Rochester AmeriCorps is sponsored by Monroe Community College, and focuses on services for children and youth.

The staffs of STEP, Upward Bound and Liberty Partnerships Program are very excited about AmeriCorps and we look forward to a great academic year.

Carmelita Brown-Wallace and Spencer Sisson
Upward Bound
10/20/2010