HWS News
25 July 2025 • Service Celebrating Service and Connection to the Community
This year’s Community Engaged Scholarship Forum praised the passionate work of civically engaged HWS community members.
The Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning recently honored the contributions of students, faculty, staff and community members dedicated to service during the 17th annual Community Engaged Scholarship Forum.
“At the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning, we have the privilege of witnessing the deep and lasting impact that community collaborations have on our students,” says CCESL Executive Director Katie Flowers, who also oversees the Centennial Center for Leadership. “When alumni reflect on their time here, what they often recall most vividly is not just their academic journey, but the profound sense of place and purpose they discovered, rooted in relationships with residents of Geneva and the Finger Lakes community.”
The Compass Award for Outstanding Engaged Student Scholarship was presented to Isabelle Girolamo ’25 for her work with Geneva 2030 developing a bilingual literacy tutor program at the West Street School. The award is given to a student who has demonstrated excellence in community-based research or service-learning. As a tutor, Girolamo helped second-grade students enrolled in the dual-language program at the school improve their literacy through decodable books in English and Spanish, literacy games, literacy binders with games in English and Spanish and word building and writing activities.
“Isabelle Girolamo’s leadership has transformed this program with engaging experiences for both peer tutors and young learners; the breadth of her impact cannot be overstated,” Flowers says. “Her dedication and creativity are no surprise to those familiar with Geneva 2030.”
The HWS Civically Engaged Faculty Award went to Associate Professor of Business Management and Entrepreneurship Craig Talmage for his ability to make connections from courses he taught to creating a real-world impact and the development the Bozzuto Center for Entrepreneurship into a dynamic space for student leadership and community collaboration.
“Craig’s efforts have strengthened partnerships with Geneva’s business and nonprofit sectors, and his service on the Geneva Business Improvement District and Local Development Corporation boards reflects a deep-rooted investment in this city we call home,” Kirk says.
The final award, the Community Partner of the Year Award, was given to HWS Trustee Dr. Kirra Guard ’08, MAT ’09, a co-leader of the Geneva 2030 Literacy Action Team. This honor is presented to an individual or organization whose sustained collaboration has significantly enhanced the civic development and leadership of HWS students. Guard, a psychologist, has been instrumental in shaping the literacy strategies across the Geneva City School District and preparing HWS’ Tutor Corps volunteers to become successful learning advocates.
“This recognition reflects our deep gratitude for the time, energy and dedication that our community partners invest in our students and in the shared goal of reciprocal, impactful learning,” says Gearan. “Kirra Guard’s efforts have helped lift the science of reading into Geneva classrooms and have also equipped HWS students to lead lives of consequence. Impacting such a robust group, spanning various ages, takes commitment and vision, both of which I’ve also witnessed this year’s recipient display across many years.”
HWS has been nationally recognized for its community service and dedication to its community. Washington Monthly ranked HWS first in the nation for service and 19th overall among liberal arts colleges. Through CCESL, students have contributed more than 80,000 hours of involvement and raised over $110,000 for local, national, and international non-profit organizations.
Top: Isabelle Girolamo '25 with CCESL and CCL Executive Director Katie Flowers.
