Service Learning Contacts

Jessi grew up moving around a lot as a military child but relocated from North Carolina to Fort Myers in order to attend Florida Gulf Coast University. She graduated in 2014 earning a B.A. in Environmental Studies. While at FGCU she was very involved in the many environmental clubs on campus as well as the Honors program. Her passion and love surround social justice,  sustainability, and the environment. She found a second home at the Food Forest and helped them develop the first Food Forest Coordinator position.  After graduation, Jessi worked at CREW  Land & Water Trust as their Education Coordinator. After four years in the non-profit sector, she made her way back home to FGCU. She is currently working on her Master’s degree in Environmental Science and working full time in the Office of Service-Learning & Civic Engagement as the Service-Learning Coordinator.

Lisa is a former New Yorker whose love for warmth and sun drew her to Florida's sandy shores.  She is a graduate of FGCU, earning her B.A. in English with a Creative Writing minor.  She has a passion for music, gardening, bees, writing, Netflix, and being of service to others.  If she could, Lisa would have way more than two dogs, because 'Rescue' is her favorite breed.  She also adores puns, corny jokes, a good pencil, and the Oxford comma.  She is secretly fascinated by dreams of world domination.  If you ask what plans she has for the next 10 years Lisa would tell you, "The same plans I had for the last 10, to try and take over the world."  

Shallyn is originally from Canton, Ohio. Prior to coming to the Fort Myers area, she worked for Walsh University and Teach For America. Shallyn jumped at the offer to join the Office of Service-Learning & Civic Engagement at FGCU. She is happy to be part of a new team.  Her upbringing and personal experiences have taught her that “it’s not what you have, it’s what you give and that’s where greatness lies.” She is excited to be in this particular position because she feels as a newbie it is a great way to connect with the local community. Shallyn deeply believes in education and the power it has to impact individuals as well as the opportunities outside the classroom it creates. What better place to be than in Service-Learning & Civic Engagement!  #eagleslovetoserve

Sofia is a Senior with a passion for herding cats, bowling, and vegan cheeses.  

Lexi, who loves Pad Thai, is originally from Boca Raton, Florida. She is a Senior majoring in Psychology with a minor in Education. Her plan after spring graduation 2020 is to become a teacher for the School District of Lee County.  Lexi believes that service brings opportunities to students and provides them with a connection to our FGCU community as well as to the local and broader communities around us.  "Service has given me the drive to keep learning while deepening my love of serving my community."  Lexi credits former Director of the Office of Service-Learning & Civic Engagement, Jessica Rhea, with influencing and inspiring her to become a service ambassador. "Mrs. Rhea's passions for serving our community and teaching FGCU students the importance of service is what helped me decide to apply for the position."  Lexi's very happy that she did!

Meghan is a Sophomore majoring in Communication with a minor in Management.  She was born in Michigan, but now calls Tampa, Florida home.  Meghan believes that "service is an amazing opportunity in which you can positively impact others' lives while also serving yourself". On campus, Meghan also works as a mentor for both athletics and the CAA.

Jenna is a Senior majoring in Resort and Hospitality with a concentration in Event Management.  She was born in Portland, Maine but now lives in Jupiter, Florida.  Jenna is also a part of Kappa Delta Sorority and the Best Buddies RSO president. To Jenna, service is about being able to change the lives of others, while impacting your own. Jenna wanted to be a service ambassador because of the life changing experiences it would bring her and the amazing people she would meet. After spring 2020 graduation, Jenna's dream is to work for the national non-profit, Best Buddies. 

Prisca is from the small town of Naples, Fl.  She originally went away for college, but claims that, “the divine plan was greater than my own and I ended up right back here; home.”  She is a Senior majoring in Integrated Studies.   Prisca feels that attending FGCU has been a blessing as she’s met some of the most amazing and inspiring people.  She says that serving as an ambassador for the Office of Service Learning and Civic Engagement is an honor because “serving others, especially the youth, is a great passion of mine. It provides me the opportunity to learn and grow as an individual while giving back to my community. To be an ambassador means that I can share my love of service with my peers on this campus, and maybe inspire love for it as well.”   Prisca also enjoys singing, writing, and spending quality time with the ones dearest to her.  If you see Prisca around campus go ahead and wave hello!  She guarantees that she will wave back!  Lastly, “I am also a hugger. Just throwing that out there!”

Graduating May 2020, Evelyn is a Senior majoring in Criminal Justice with a minor in Spanish. Born and raised in Fort Myers, Florida. Evelyn feels that though FGCU is close to home, it still offered her a chance to make a difference.  She works as one of the Youth Empowerment Ambassadors because of the joy it brings her to help fellow FGCU students understand the importance of engaging with the local youths; whether it is mentoring them, playing games during one of the ambassador facilitated events, or simply giving them advice or direction about possible future options after high school.