Cabrini student is a good citizen and a scholar
For college student Beth Briggs, it pays to pay it forward.
This summer, Briggs, a resident of Downingtown, traveled to Ethiopia, where she interned for Catholic Relief Services. There, she helped local residents maintain asustainable access to food.
While halfway around the world, the Cabrini College senior learned she was a recipient of the $1,000 Commonwealth Good Citizenship Scholarship from the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania.
Briggs was pleased to be recognized for her community service work.
“It was really exciting, because I recognized that they were pretty selective in choosing the recipients. There were a lot of people who applied, so it was exciting and flattering to learn I was a winner,” she said.
In Briggs’ junior year at Cabrini, she received a service and leadership award from Cabrini College, and in her sophomore year, she earned the title of “Social Justice Leader of the Year.”
At Cabrini, where she is majoring in psychology and sociology, Briggs also serves as a leader of a service project trip to West Virginia called “Project Appalachia.” She is also a Catholic Relief Services ambassador, incoming president of the sociology honor society, incoming vice president of the psychology honor society, president of the psychology club and a sociology club member.
Briggs has volunteered at a homeless shelter in Norristown and was co-chair of a poverty awareness campaign at Cabrini College.
The busy humanitarian said she feels everyone has a responsibility to contribute to others through service.
“I feel like everyone could benefit from community service. It helps not only the person you are serving, but yourself, as well. It helps you grow,” she said.
After college, Briggs plans to attend graduate school for clinical psychology and continue to incorporate community service into her life.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity that the scholarship will give to me and for the recognition of the award. Even if there was no money involved I would be very appreciative of recognition,” Briggs said.
According to Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania Foundation associate Mary Maronic, the scholarship has been offered to students across the state for at least 10 years.
The organization’s mission is to focus on research, fundraising and lobbying to advance private higher education.
In June, seven full-time undergraduate students from independent colleges and universities received the Commonwealth Good Citizenship Scholarship.
Each year, the association receives applications from the 83 private colleges and universities that are members of the collegiate association. Upon receipt, applications are submitted to a selection committee of association representatives.
On the application, students provide information in essay form about the volunteer-leadership roles and other extracurricular activities they participate with, both in and outside of school. Furthermore, the applicant must explain how community service activities relate to his or her major, and what their goals are after graduation.
“We look for someone with extraordinary commitment to community service and someone who demonstrates leadership and creativity in developing volunteer projects,” Maronic said.
“Our association is geared towards helping independent colleges and universities, and this is just a way of helping students in our schools fund their education,” Maronic said.
This summer, Briggs, a resident of Downingtown, traveled to Ethiopia, where she interned for Catholic Relief Services. There, she helped local residents maintain asustainable access to food.
While halfway around the world, the Cabrini College senior learned she was a recipient of the $1,000 Commonwealth Good Citizenship Scholarship from the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania.
Briggs was pleased to be recognized for her community service work.
“It was really exciting, because I recognized that they were pretty selective in choosing the recipients. There were a lot of people who applied, so it was exciting and flattering to learn I was a winner,” she said.
In Briggs’ junior year at Cabrini, she received a service and leadership award from Cabrini College, and in her sophomore year, she earned the title of “Social Justice Leader of the Year.”
At Cabrini, where she is majoring in psychology and sociology, Briggs also serves as a leader of a service project trip to West Virginia called “Project Appalachia.” She is also a Catholic Relief Services ambassador, incoming president of the sociology honor society, incoming vice president of the psychology honor society, president of the psychology club and a sociology club member.
Briggs has volunteered at a homeless shelter in Norristown and was co-chair of a poverty awareness campaign at Cabrini College.
The busy humanitarian said she feels everyone has a responsibility to contribute to others through service.
“I feel like everyone could benefit from community service. It helps not only the person you are serving, but yourself, as well. It helps you grow,” she said.
After college, Briggs plans to attend graduate school for clinical psychology and continue to incorporate community service into her life.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity that the scholarship will give to me and for the recognition of the award. Even if there was no money involved I would be very appreciative of recognition,” Briggs said.
According to Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania Foundation associate Mary Maronic, the scholarship has been offered to students across the state for at least 10 years.
The organization’s mission is to focus on research, fundraising and lobbying to advance private higher education.
In June, seven full-time undergraduate students from independent colleges and universities received the Commonwealth Good Citizenship Scholarship.
Each year, the association receives applications from the 83 private colleges and universities that are members of the collegiate association. Upon receipt, applications are submitted to a selection committee of association representatives.
On the application, students provide information in essay form about the volunteer-leadership roles and other extracurricular activities they participate with, both in and outside of school. Furthermore, the applicant must explain how community service activities relate to his or her major, and what their goals are after graduation.
“We look for someone with extraordinary commitment to community service and someone who demonstrates leadership and creativity in developing volunteer projects,” Maronic said.
“Our association is geared towards helping independent colleges and universities, and this is just a way of helping students in our schools fund their education,” Maronic said.
