Division Appoints Director of Community Service and Service-Learning, Project Volunteers Needed

Misty Beasley, B.A.

Misty Beasley, B.A., has been appointed as Director of Community Service and Service-Learning, to help strengthen the College’s community outreach efforts by working with departments and divisions to coordinate comprehensive civic engagement programs, courses and initiatives for the campus community. 

“I will collaborate with various departments to deliver a comprehensive community service/service-learning program that brings together students, staff, faculty and community partners,” Beasley said. 

The Office of Community Service and Service-Learning, MMC Serves, which is part of the Division of Student Affairs, supports the mission of the College by providing meaningful and engaging applied learning and service-related opportunities for the entire Marymount Manhattan community. MMC Serves will continue to advance the service-learning program using the foundation that Dr. Cindy Mercer, Executive Director of Academic Achievement and others created and maintained for the last four years. Beasley will be working with Rebecca Mushtare, M.F.A., assistant professor in communication arts and faculty liaison for service-learning, to coordinate, promote, and support upcoming service-learning courses. 

On Tuesday, April 5, the College community participated in TOMS’ One Day Without Shoes, an event to raise awareness of the impact a pair of shoes can have on a child’s life. 

“The event came to my attention when Lucie Sudmeier ’14 informed President Shaver about the initiative,” Beasley said. “Lucie and I worked together to publicize the event. To our surprise and delight several other students also expressed interest and participated in the day by going barefoot. Next year we hope to make this a more comprehensive event.” 

On Saturday, April 30, the Marymount Manhattan community will be participating in the Day of Action. Beasley is working with Daniela Caesar-Rodin ’11, community service senator with the Student Government Association, to invite students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of MMC to volunteer in the community. The day of service is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Volunteers will engage in one of four unique service projects: DeWitt Clinton Park (raking, hoeing, and mulching, picking up trash); Good Shepherd Services (arts and craft project, cleaning and organizing the facility and painting); The Hetrick-Martin Institute (creating and painting a mural for the institute); and Million Trees NYC (planting trees in Brooklyn’s Marine Park). Volunteers can register by visiting: http://dayofaction.eventbrite.com. 

“The event was very successful last year and we anticipate a high turnout this year,” Beasley said. 

A list of service-related activities scheduled during the 2011-2012 academic year so far include National Day of Service and Remembrance on September 11, National Homeless and Hunger Awareness on November 15-21, and International Volunteer Day on December 5. Additional service-related events will be scheduled during MMC events, including Plunge!, a day of service during Orientation Welcome Week; MMC Cares, an opportunity for students and their families to volunteer together during Family and Friends Weekend, a Community Partner Fair coordinated with the Office of Career Services, and an Alternative Spring Break for students who elect to spend their break giving back to a community. 

Beasley has been at Marymount Manhattan for 10 years and has served in various capacities, including Residence Director (2001-2002), Director of Residence Life (2002 – 2009), and Associate to the Vice President for Student Affairs. Beasley earned a Bachelor of Science in sociology from Lamar University. 

Marymount Manhattan College is an urban, independent, liberal arts college. The mission of the College is to educate a socially and economically diverse student body by fostering intellectual achievement and personal growth and by providing opportunities for career development.

Published: April 14, 2011