DEEP Service Magazine Spring/Summer 2014 | Page 26

DEEPCONNECTIONS

Siena Seniors Complete
Internships with Albany
Leadership Charter High School
for Girls
In the spring semester, two Siena Seniors completed
120-hour internships with the Albany Leadership
Charter High School for Girls in Albany. Nathan Van
Vorst and Matt Macutek assisted Social Studies teachers
and their students in the development and completion of an
academic project on women’s history. They researched fifty women who
impacted the course of world history and then shared their research with
students, who went on to write research papers, poems and/or posters
about specific women to express what they had learned about their
assigned woman. Their efforts culminated in a school-wide Women’s
History Gala where the girls presented their work.
Matt and Nathan want to extend their sincere appreciation to Mr.
Wagner and Ms. Heilsberg of the ALCH Social Studies Department for
their thoughtful mentoring and Pou Mok for coordinating with Siena
College to develop this internship opportunity. They expressed:
“This has been an absolutely amazing experience! As I am writing this
report, it is the eve of my final day in the school. I am actually upset that
I will no longer be able to be at ALCH anymore. Last Friday when I told
the girls that tomorrow would be my last day, they also became very
upset. They told me that I was not allowed to go; one girl jokingly said
that we were fighting. I went into this internship hoping to gain
knowledge on charter schools, teaching, and to solidify whether teaching
was the right profession for me. After the relationships I have formed
from this experience, although they are ending shortly, I know that I am
destined for teaching. I have developed such a care for these girls in such
a short period of time. Even though they are not directly my students,
all I want is for them to succeed, both in and out of school. Mr. Dan
Wagner [Chair, Social Studies Department] has already expressed that I
am welcome back at any time. So, I am hoping that I will be able to visit
the school several more times the rest of their school year, and possibly
in the future. I will never forget the lessons that I have learned, about
teaching and myself, during my time at Albany Leadership.”
By Dr. Ruth Kassel, Assistant Director of ACE

DEEP Service Magazine | Page 26

Partner Spotlight
Carmen Pampa
By Claudia Congemi ’14, Dake Fellow
The Carmen Pampa/Siena partnership has
existed for three years now and is continuously
growing! It has become a great relationship for
the Siena and Carmen Pampa students and
faculty. It epitomizes ACE’s mission of DEEP
Service. This summer marks the third year
Siena has sent Global Service Interns to
Carmen Pampa to learn about education,
veterinary skills, agronomy, and ecotourism!
Siena students also participate in the college’s
social activities such as cultural themed dances
where students get together to dance for the
community. Last year, Siena’s finest danced to
some popular American music! Carmen
Pampa students enjoyed watching their new
friends bring their own culture to the show. As
our partnership continues to grow, Siena and
Carmen Pampa discuss how they can expand
their relationship. Currently we are working to
assist Carmen Pampa in a Women’s
Development Program for their female
students titled Mujeres Valientes, “Brave
Women.” The goal is to get a group of students
here on Siena’s Campus and at Carmen Pampa
to develop the curriculum together via Skype
sessions. The program’s workshops and
trainings will be led by students and faculty at
Carmen Pampa. Carmen Pampa will be
completely involved with developing the
program, as well as facilitating. This is
something we are really are excited for, given
that our partnership is so strong!