UR’s Center for Community Leadership recently welcomed a new director, Glenn Cerosaletti. Cerosaletti, an alumnus of the University who graduated in 1991, has served as an academic counselor for 11 years. His primary goal in his new position is to engage undergraduates in community service projects and hone students’ leadership skills.
‘I hope that the center will serve as a focal point on community service engagement in Rochester,” Cerosaletti said. ‘Hopefully students will draw upon their experience in college and use it in the real world.”
Before returning to his alma mater, Cerosaletti was involved in Volunteer in Service to America, as well as the Peace Corps, which led him to Bolivia. In 1997, Cerosaletti returned to UR to work for the study abroad department, yet maintained a heavy interest in community service projects and development.
Cerosaletti replaced Jody Ashbury as director for Rochester’s Center of Community Leadership when she stepped down in 2007.
Cerosaletti is particularly focused on ways that recent graduates can get involved in the Rochester community.
The Rochester Youth Year Fellow Program is designed for recent graduates to take a proactive role in alleviating poverty in the city.
‘We hope that through this program, graduates will consider remaining here in Rochester where they can join in a targeted effort to assist the youth and promote community development,” he said.
Cerosaletti also discussed the Urban Fellows Program, a summer program designed to get students out into Rochester city. A 10-week summer internship, the programmer allows participants to spend four days a week working at a community-based organization.
One day a week, interns must show up for lectures where speakers discuss Rochester’s urban dynamics.
In addition to providing recent graduates with community service opportunities, Cerosaletti emphasized the role that students can play in Rochester’s economic prosperity.
‘The University has a significant role to play in the communit,y and we want the students to be involved,” he said.
He explained that the Rochester Every Day program, which gives students discounts at local businesses, was integral in expanding the University’s presence in the community.
Cerosaletti felt that community service was especially important during troubling economic times.
‘We as a nation are at a crucial moment in our history,” he said. ‘That presents great challenges to our community and student body. Today’s seniors are facing a depressed job market. Through RCCL, students should seize this opportunity and not be fearful.”
The University is expanding efforts to get Rochester City School students on campus. UR Potential and UR Tours are two recent programs that have been expanded this year.
UR Potential brings high school students to campus and UR undergraduates attempt to teach the importance of a college education. UR Tours is a similar program for elementary students.
RCCL also worked hard to promote the 2008 election from the program ‘R World R Vote” which is a student coordinated program that encourages citizens to become more involved in the democratic process. The bus trip to Washington, D.C. to see the inaugural address was also cospnsered by RCCL.
Cerosaletti’s defining vision underscored a hope that students and others in the University community would recognize the importance of community service during a turbulent time for the country.
‘It’s my hope that these bad times will fervor interest in community service and transform the community and economy and hopefully the world,” Cerosaletti said.
Hasan is a member of the class of 2012.
