The human service studies major from Baltimore has received a 2015 Community Impact Award from North Carolina Campus Compact.
North Carolina Campus Compact, a statewide network of colleges and universities with a shared commitment to community engagement, annually honors one student leader at each member school. Sakin is one of 21 students chosen by their campus for the 2015 honor, joining more than 200 college students recognized by the network since the award was first presented in 2006.
A human service studies major and leadership studies minor, Sakin has worked tirelessly to advance the well-being of others on and off-campus. A resident assistant, Challenge Course facilitator, Zeta Beta Tau risk manager, and head captain of Safe Rides, Sakin was recently appointed as the Alternative Breaks student director. In this role, he leads 22 student coordinators who organize over 10 programs providing domestic and international service experiences for 300 students.
Off-campus, the Baltimore native and Elon Leadership Fellow has demonstrated a passion for refugee resettlement. Through an alternative break program in Jacksonville, Florida, Sakin worked with Lutheran Family Services to help resettle families from the Middle East. This opportunity led to a summer internship with Church World Service, giving Sakin the chance to help refugee families from around the world resettle in Greensboro, N.C.
“Noah has a deep commitment to partnership with others,” says Bob Frigo, associate director of Elon’s Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement. “Since he first arrived at Elon, he has really gone above and beyond.”
Sakin and other Community Impact Award winners were honored Nov. 7 at the Compact’s annual CSNAP student conference, held this year at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. The event convened nearly 100 students and staff from more than 20 campuses in the network.
In addition to awards presentations, the conference included training on cultural competency, community engagement, and the “sustained dialogue” leadership process.
North Carolina Campus Compact, the state affiliate of the national Campus Compact organization, builds the capacity of colleges and universities to produce civically-engaged graduates and strengthen communities. Started in 2002 and hosted by Elon University, the statewide network includes 36 public, private, and community colleges and universities.