Santa Clara University

Learning with the community

Vanessa DiCarlo '08

B.A. religious studies

Vanessa DiCarlo's favorite part of her education came from working with much younger students. Through the University's community-based learning programs, the Arrupe Center intern worked as an elementary school volunteer, an academic counselor at a summer enrichment program for children, an early childhood education assistant, and an afterschool tutor in San Jose.

“Through these experiences I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude from and for the community,” she says. “I think it is absolutely necessary for a well-rounded education that students get outside of the classroom.”

DiCarlo, a religious studies major and sociology minor, says the experiences in the community gave her the determination to work toward “lasting change” after graduation.

“It is through conversations with people that I meet in the community that I gain the most insight,” she says. “Santa Clara makes these types of experiences extremely accessible and offers students countless opportunities to work in local neighborhoods.”

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