Community service has been a central feature of the Kessler Scholars Program since its founding, and for Queens College senior Leslie Moran, it has guided her undergraduate journey. A service project that brought Kessler Scholars together to write letters describing their college journeys and offering encouragement to children in foster care reinforced for Leslie her commitment to empowering young people through education
“We wanted Kessler Scholars to write from their hearts,” Leslie said about the letter-writing event. “I wanted them to put a lot of thought into it and make these children feel special. That event impacted me because it showed me that we could organize something meaningful and come together as a team…It showed me that the Kessler Scholars truly care about helping others.”
“That event impacted me because it showed me that we could organize something meaningful and come together as a team…It showed me that the Kessler Scholars truly care about helping others.”
– Leslie Moran
That event served as a reminder that even small acts of care can leave a lasting impact. Leslie further demonstrated her commitment to helping others by serving as a peer mentor for the past three years to first-year Kessler Scholars. She built close relationships with her mentees, offering guidance on everything from course selection to dealing with personal and financial challenges. Leslie found that offering emotional support was just as important as providing academic advice.
Leslie discovered the importance of communication and empathy through these mentoring relationships, skills that will contribute to her future goal of working as an educator. The Kessler Scholars Program also showed this future teacher that she can utilize her talents to acquire new knowledge about the education system or challenges affecting young people. Outside of her classroom studies, Leslie joined the CUNY Reading Corps, where she tutored young students in area elementary schools. She also contributed to a community-based bilingual grant proposal that aimed to research strategies for English language learners and gain insight into educational policy and advocacy.
Kessler Scholars at Queens College hold cards designed to share their college journey.
As a Kessler Scholar, Leslie also participated in a transformative service experience through an alternative spring break trip to a working farm outside New York City. Leslie was hesitant about the experience at first, especially about getting dirty. Gradually, though, Leslie said she gained insight about agriculture and labor, and she formed lasting bonds with her fellow Kessler Scholars. That sense of community motivated her to expand her own volunteer work, eventually leading her to support events with organizations like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and local Down syndrome awareness initiatives.
As Leslie looks ahead, she dreams of making a difference by working in education and directly supporting her home neighborhood of Corona in the borough of Queens.
“As someone who came from there, and as someone who was able to rise and graduate, I want to give back to the kids there,” Leslie said. “Everyone deserves an education.”