President's Invitation to Serve '23

Date Published 01/23/2023

Category

University Events

The annual President’s Invitation to Serve is a great way for people from all aspects of the Mount community to work together in the spirit of loving thy neighbor. Supporting President Ann McElaney Johnson, PhD (second from the right), at the event are (from left to right): Krishauna Hines-Gaither, PhD, vice president of equity, diversity and justice; Susan Dileno, MBA, vice president of enrollment management; and Linda McMurdock, vice president of student affairs.

This past weekend, more than 70 Mount alumnae, faculty, staff, students and friends participated in the 16th President’s Invitation to Serve. Coordinated by the Office of Women’s Leadership and Community Engagement, this tradition brings the Mount community together for a day of service in the greater Los Angeles area. The Doheny campus served as home base, with free transportation provided to all volunteer sites and to/from the Chalon campus.

After breakfast and a welcome from President Ann McElaney-Johnson, participants chose between several volunteer sites and projects, such as delivering flowers to the residents at the , making meal bags and cards of encouragement for the and organizing school supplies for the .

Three colleagues ready for action (from left to right): Ashley Joseph, EdD, director of Women's Leadership and Community Engagement; Chris Barnes, director, student involvement and inclusion, women's leadership program; and Karla Guzman, assistant director, Women's Leadership and Community Engagement, who was the main coordinator of this event.

“All of us were placed on this earth to be a servant leader in our community,” says Kinette K. Cager ’06, a sentiment no doubt matched by Sister Judy Vaughan, CSJ, ‘68, founder of the Alexandria House, which has offered housing and support to women and children as they move into permanent housing since 1996.

Jacqueline Avila ’27 volunteered because she “has always had a good experience giving back to others to the best of my ability. I believe that if you are given more, you could spare to those who have less. Everyone deserves the essentials of life, but unfortunately not all are given them. If we can help gather resources for others, we are doing God’s work.”

While a beautiful manifestation of our mission to love thy neighbor, the President’s Invitation to Serve is also an opportunity for the Mount community to come together. Thais Perez ’23 affirms, “It was uplifting to work alongside a multitude of 国产传媒 generations. Also, I felt joyful hoping I made a difference in the lives of people whom I perhaps will never meet.”

Mount community members who are looking for additional opportunities to serve are encouraged to connect with the Office of Women’s Leadership and Student Engagement.