Learn more about this year's recipients of the Dean's Award for Community Engagment! We are very proud of these students, each of whom has made unique and long-lasting contributions to the betterment of our communities. If you are interested in learning more about how you can contribute to honoring students like this, please click here.
Nicole Goodman
Nicole is a sophomore majoring in Psychology and Social Behavior and Criminology, Law and Society, who is passionately dedicated to her community. This is evident in her various community activities ranging from working as a suicide prevention volunteer, to bringing Christmas to Motel Kids. At the Orange County Rescue Mission, Nicole started volunteering by packing food boxes for the homeless. She has since increased her involvement by volunteering each week in their child development center to encourage and assist teen mothers. Nicole is specifically concerned about adolescent eating disorders; therefore she mentors middle school girls who are dealing with this issue. Last Fall, Nicole met Professor Kristen Day, Director of UCI’s Committee on Community and Civic Engagement, and volunteered to co-organize Our UCI Legacy, which is a contest for students, faculty and staff to share their vision of how UCI can make a real impact on our communities through education, research and resources. Nicole hopes to inspire others to take action and realize their ability to make a difference.
Photo Right: Nicole Goodman and faculty nominator, Kristen Day.
Elizabeth Landeros
Elizabeth is a senior Social Ecology student, who feels her education in the School of Social Ecology has opened her eyes to the problems our community faces. Elizabeth is taking on some of these problems by volunteering for Share Our Selves, which is a free health clinic in Costa Mesa. Initially, her involvement with Share Our Selves was for her service-learning requirement for a minor in civic and community engagement. However, she continues to volunteer weekly and has recruited others to participate. Additionally, Elizabeth is a volunteer environmental intern for the City of Irvine. She is specifically working on a project to bring a bicycle program similar to UC Irvine’s Zotwheels, to the City of Irvine. Academically, Elizabeth maintains a 3.5 GPA and is a part of the Social Ecology Honors Program. For her honors thesis, she is researching the effects of signs on campus recycling. After graduation, Elizabeth will participate in the UCDC program to intern in Washington, D.C. and eventually hopes to return to UCI for a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning.
Photo Right: Faculty nominator, Kristen Day and Elizabeth Landeros
Lydie Loth
Lydie is a senior Criminology, Law and Society student, who has been actively involved on campus and the community since her first year at UCI. Most recently, she founded the UCI chapter of Women and Criminal Justice Network, which seeks to promote public policy reforms and programs responsive to the needs of women prisoners and their families. Last January, Lydie organized a Women and Criminal Justice Network benefit concert, raising thousands of dollars for the “Get On The Bus” program. This fundraising effort will allow more than 300 children to visit their incarcerated parents this spring on Mother’s and Father’s Day. In addition, Lydie is the social chair of the Anteaters for Recycling and Conservation student organization, which volunteers on weekends to restore the Newport Back Bay and educate students on environmentally friendly lifestyles. Lydie still finds time in her demanding schedule to serve as the ASUCI Social Ecology Representative and intern at a local law firm. Academically, Lydie maintains a 3.5 GPA and has served as a research assistant to Professor Paul Jesilow and Professor Elizabeth Loftus. Next year, she will pursue a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, with hopes to one day work for the FBI.
Photo Right: Lydie Loth and faculty nominator, Donna Schuele.