Now Accepting Applications for 2009-2010!Applications DUE Friday, April 10th Contact BLP@umb.edu with any questions! |
Beacon Leadership Project
Campus Center, 2nd Floor, 2300.08
100 Morrissey Boulevard
Boston, MA 02125-3393
617-287-7953
blp@umb.edu
Past Years/Projects
"Commuter Survival Guide" Michelle Tracchia: Starting at UMass Boston in 2006, I felt confused by which direction to go into. Believing our university’s website was the best way to reach as many students as possible, I developed what I call the “Commuter Survival Guide” in an effort to bring together ways in which students can become more engaged without dorms. Beginning the project in May 2007, the Beacon Leadership allowed me the opportunity to continue my project while earning credits. I will forever be grateful for the BLP as it granted me the chance to turn my vision into a reality. |
"Project Destination"
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Timothy Menz: "After being chosen to participate in the Beacon Leadership Project, I knew that I had an opportunity of a lifetime. I was selected to be a leader, and with four of my fellow cohorts, we planned an event at Shriner's Burn Hospital. The premise for the event was to bring a vacation to the patients in the hospital (since many of the patients are bed-ridden) and for it to also be educational. We chose a multicultural approach to |
the event and chose three destinations to visit: Italy, Ireland, and China. We made an effort to choose specific destinations that would possibly remind some of the children of home or show them a glimpse of what life is like in another country. That is how we came up with the idea of traveling around the world in a day as "Project Destination" incorporated culture, as well as recreational activities. Each country, there was an interactive activity that we did with the kids; Irish step dancing in Ireland, origami making in China, and a visit to a typical Italian dinner table in Italy."
Timothy Menz, Sarah Colomba, Jennimae Cronan, Leslie Lugo & Aaron Shaw. 2004-2005
"Domestic Violence Day"
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" Domestic Violence Day" is a service learning project developed by Christine Berry, Kelly Castro, Sheerin Housseini, Elena Sanchez, and Mariana Sanchez. This group worked to create awareness of domestic violence at UMass Boston through informational tables, panel discussions with domestic violence advocates and survivors, and distributing educational pamphlets. The "Clothesline Project" was also brought to the UMass campus. The City of Boston proclaimed April 20, 2006 "Domestic Violence Awareness Day" because of the efforts of these BLP students. |
Other Examples of Past Projects:
"Beacon Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign" - Julie Beckerdite, Heather Dawood, Betsy Pasquino, and Blen WoldeAregay 2002-2003
- This service learning project was designed to raise awareness of breast cancer among the UMass Boston community. The students collaborated with University Health Services and provided information about breast cancer to students through an informational table and a panel discussion that included individuals involved in public health and a breast cancer survivor. Julie, Heather, Betsy and Blen also sold t-shirts and visors to raise money to donate to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
"Sports Clinic Day at UMB" - Danielle McColgan and Eric Stein 2002-2003
- For this project, BLP students coordinated a collaboration between the Boston Public Schools and UMass Boston athletes to provide sports clinics and instruction to middle school students. This clinic exposed young children to different athletic skills and taught the importance of sports and good citizenship.
"Project Reaching Out" - Michael DiLalla and Ashley Smith 2002-2003
- Michael and Ashley coordinated with Children's Hospital Boston to arrange a day of fun for the inpatients. This day included food, arts and crafts and activities for the children to provide a special distraction during their stay at the hospital.
"HIV/AIDS Awareness at UMass Boston" - Heidi Conneely and Aimie Kivior 2003-2004
- This project focused on providing awareness of HIV/AIDS and testing to UMass Boston students. Heidi and Aimie ran an informational table in collaboration with health services about testing and services related to HIV/AIDS here at UMass Boston. Information packets were provided for the students that detailed both on campus and off campus resources.
"Beacon Leadership Marketing Project" - Najah Ali, Chris Aragao and Kathy Lu 2006-2007
- This project focused on the marketing of the BLP. Najah, Chris and Kathy promoted awareness of the BLP through on campus tabling as well as creating a new postcard to advertise to prospective students.
"My Name Is CORI.....A Family Forum" - Lynnette Littles 2006-2007
- Lynette coordinated an informational presentation on CORI (criminal offender record information) and gave this presentation at a local church. She provided education about what CORI is and the implications that it may have on an individual later in life and during the job-hunt.




