Points of Departure: “Connected” through Service
Tré Pina (CAS’15)
A self-described Type A personality, Tré Pina (CAS’15) knew from the moment he saw BU that this was the school for him. He applied for early decision, and eager to begin his college experience after being accepted, he signed up for the summer’s first Orientation session.
His decision to take part in the First-Year Student Outreach Project (FYSOP) turned out to be life-changing in many ways. That week of volunteer service before classes began introduced him to a group of people who would become close friends, and it influenced his decision to minor in women’s, gender, and sexuality studies.
Pina’s first experience with BU’s Community Service Center (CSC) led to other roles within the organization, including FYSOP staff leader, Children’s Theatre program manager, Global Day of Service committee member, Empowerment League peer leader, and Alternative Service Breaks coordinator.
In each of those roles, Pina says, he engaged in “reflections,” a formal process that CSC members undertake to contemplate their motivations for deciding to commit to service, and the impact of that service on their environment and community.
“These reflections and service just made me think about the changes that need to happen,” he says. “They were vital to my own growth.”
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