From left to right: Anthony Scardillo, assistant professor of Marketing at the Mount, Kaitlyn Lauro of Farmingdale, N.Y.; Dajon Atkins of Middletown, N.Y.; Kelsey Farrell of Cochecton, N.Y.; Stephanie Cilento of Carmel, N.Y.; and Victoria Veloz-Vicioso of Englewood, N.J. Photo provided.
Mount Saint Mary College Medici Scholars recently assembled nearly 200 "swag bags," which were donated to the participants of Safe Harbors of the Hudson's recent virtual 5K fundraiser.
The scholars came together with Anthony Scardillo, assistant professor of Marketing, as well as Tiffany Gagliano, dean of the School of Business, and Akm Hossain, professor of Economics and chair of the School of Business, to pack the swag bags for the event.
Each swag bag contained a variety of drinks, snacks, sewing kits, magnets, notepads, pens, stickers, hand sanitizers, coupons, water bottles, and lip balm.
Victoria Veloz-Vicioso, a junior Business major from Englewood, N.J., said the scholars also helped Safe Harbors to create a sponsorship opportunity document, build digital content for their social media and advertisements, and find a platform where they could run their virtual 5k.
She noted the project was an excellent opportunity to connect and collaborate with her fellow Business students.
"The Mount has supplied me with endless opportunities in which I could do volunteer work," Veloz-Vicioso added. "The Medici Scholars was a great opportunity to give back to the Newburgh community as well as gain experience working for a non-profit."
The Medici Scholars Program, which is made possible through an endowed fund by Walden Savings Bank, connects Mount students with the local non-profit and arts community so they may understand the vital role business executives play in supporting these endeavors.
Scardillo explained that the scholars work on a different service project each semester. The students have the opportunity to meet with the board of directors for the nonprofit they are working with, seeing firsthand how a nonprofit board operates.
The program is just one example of the emphasis Mount Saint Mary College puts on a service-oriented education.
"Students today need to understand the importance of philanthropy, the importance of giving, and the importance of serving," Scardillo noted.
Safe Harbors of the Hudson is a mixed-use, non-profit housing and arts redevelopment project. All proceeds for the 5k fundraiser event helped support Safe Harbors of the Hudson's mission of transforming lives and building community through housing and the arts. To learn more, visit their website at www.safe-harbors.org