Meet Mercedes - AR/AC Student Director

My name is Mercedes and I am the new Student Director of the America Reads/America Counts program. I hope your summer has been as interesting as mine - I've been to a few places this summer, including Washington D.C. (where I got to see the president take off overhead in Marine One no less... definitely a highlight), but have mostly been busy with a summer biology course and enjoying living by the beach in my free time. I've also enjoyed reading all of the applications for the new AR/AC tutors - we have an great new group of people who have done amazing things with service in their own community, and I'm looking forward to what they can do in Linda Vista this fall while working alongside our current tutors.

At the moment we're working out the details of the trainings to be held at the very beginning of the semester, and we would love any suggestions from past and present participants in the program. I'm looking forward to meeting/seeing all of you in September, and I hope you all enjoy the remainder of your summer!

Happy Summer Everyone!

We have had a full house this summer with graduate and undergraduate students working very hard to get things ready for the 2009-2010 academic year – it may be our best yet!

As for the Hughes Family, we’ve been doing some camping, some traveling to see family, and lots of “staycationing” right here in San Diego. It’s been busy, but well worth it! Hannah (our pup) still hasn’t learned how to surf, but she’s much more comfortable in the ocean compared to last year!

As much fun as this summer has been, I am counting down the days until you all return. So enjoy the rest of your summer break and get ready for a great kick-off to a new year together!

Meet Jeremy - CASA Office Manager

I hope the summer is treating you all great! I returned to the CASA office about a month ago. I was traveling around the beautiful country of France for a few weeks. The south of France is paradise!! When returning to the states I spent some time mountain climbing in Wyoming and Idaho, which was a lot of fun!

Now I am back here with the wonderful people of CASA. Presently I am working on putting together training sessions for the mentor programs that will be newly implemented for next semester. It will be some great opportunities. Well that’s all for now! Hope all of your summers go well!

Oh P.S. the SLP building is so so so so amazing!!

Welcome Back

Here’s hoping you all have had a great summer. I have had a wonderful time. I spent a month in Ireland and Spain – fantastic! I am off to New York shortly! When you can catch me in San Diego, I am working in the CASA office. All is going well in CASA – it’s not quite the same without the daily buzz…but Chris manages to buzz around. And I do mean buzz – he runs around the place making a buzzing noise. Strange. Looking forward to welcoming you all back and meeting new and wonderful leaders. Can’t wait to see what the year has in store for CSL and CASA.

Greetings CASA and CSL Crew

I hope you all are having a restful and great summer. While the summer staff is having a great time this summer we are also busy getting ready for the school year. There is an excitement in office because of all of the great things we are anticipating for the new year. There are several immersion trips scheduled, plenty of direct service opportunities and of course we are looking forward to a great conference with Dr. Farmer. So come back rested and ready to go because we are looking forward to a full and fun year. Have a great rest of the summer.

Meet Ilana - Graduate Assistant at CASA

I’m Ilana a new Graduate Assistant at CASA. I just started attending USD this summer and will be getting a Master’s in Culture, Literacy, and TESOL. I spent several years working in PR/Marketing for the nonprofit and private sector. I was inspired to switch careers because of the kids in my neighborhood and my experience with Teaching for Change.

I’m very excited to be back in school and to be working with CASA! I know how much community work has changed my view of the world. I am looking forward to meeting and working with everyone in the CASA family.

I’ll be helping with PR for CASA...so remember don’t keep us a secret - tell your friends, classmates, co-workers about CASA!

Meet Chelsea - Graduate Assistant at CASA

My name is Chelsea Simon I am a second year graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. My sub specialization is in spirituality and I am also working on my certificate in the Pastoral Care and Counseling program here at USD. This coming year I will be a Resident Minister. I am honored to be the Graduate Assistant in the Center for Awareness, Service, and Action this summer.

I am interested in spirituality, counseling, working with children and teenagers, and social justice issues. I was the Graduate Assistant for the Romero Center for Faith in Action last year. I enjoy working with students as the find the connection between their faith life and service. I also love football (go Steelers!), chips, and children.

This summer I am enjoying living at the beach, taking classes, meeting with students, and working at CASA. I am also having fun continuing to explore San Diego with visiting friends and family.