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Maria Scarpantonio of Manville has been named the recipient of the Raritan Valley Community College Nonprofit Civic Engagement Award for spring 2022. This recognition is intended to enhance the learning experience and community involvement of Service Learning Program students who have actively participated in community engagement activities as part of their academic classes.

Scarpantonio, an Environmental Studies student at RVCC, demonstrated her passion for volunteering and leadership in helping the local community. During the spring 2022 semester, she was actively involved with three service learning volunteer projects for different classes. Through her Environmental Science and Sustainability course, she completed more than 20 hours of service at the Raritan Headwaters Association; in her Energy, Environment and Climate Change course, she served over 15 hours at Grow it Green Morristown; and through her English Composition II course, she volunteered over 15 hours at the RVCC Resource Center/Food Pantry. Even after her course requirements had been met, Scarpantonio continued to contribute and gain real-world experience.

As a result of her participation in service learning, she learned new skills and increased her knowledge of a new profession, which led to a change in her academic goals. Scarpantonio’s experiences helped her become more interested in focusing on environmental issues as part of her future profession, and as a citizen of the world.

Reflecting on her service, Scarpantonio said, “I definitely learned a lot and had many great experiences at all three places. I picked these specific projects because they all involved helping, whether it was for the environment or fellow students. I got a taste of what it's like working in three different environmental areas, which helped me learn about myself and what I really enjoy. I also made important connections and received very valuable career advice from professionals.”

After graduating from RVCC, Scarpantonio plans to transfer to a four-year school and continue her studies in sustainability and watershed management. Her future plans include a career in regenerative agriculture and climate resilience.

RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 1, 2022

Media contact: Donna Stolzer, 908-526-1200, ext. 8383

PR #133