February 2024

Welcome from Shawn Burnham ’09

Volunteering was never a part of my life until I enrolled at SNHU. Now, it’s so ingrained in me, that I cannot see a way I’m not involved with the community that shaped me. I’ve met so many kind, caring, and wonderful people through volunteer experiences at SNHU — many of whom I’m still very close friends with. The amazing community that the university fostered created a springboard for me to grow into the human I am today.

As a student, I attended a meeting by chance and later became involved with the Outreach Association. I also had the privilege of being selected to participate in an Alternative Break trip to the Dominican Republic organized by what is now known as The Chandler Center. These opportunities shaped me as a person to this day. The people I met opened so many doors for me on campus. I became a Resident Assistant (RA) and got involved with various clubs and organizations because of the networking I did when volunteering my time. 

I now serve as Vice President of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. We’re a group of SNHU alumni who believe in giving back to the university that molded us. We do this through mock interviews, fundraising for the university, our scholarship, and participating in Global Days of Service (GDS). Last year I participated in a GDS project at the NH Food Bank Production Garden. It was some pretty hard work, but knowing that I helped provide a space to grow food for people in need was well worth it. That experience inspired me to lead my own GDS project this year. I’m finalizing the details now, so stay tuned if you’re local to Manchester, NH — I’d love to serve beside you! I also help fundraise for the Daniel C. Smith Memorial Scholarship. Dan was a dear friend of mine and a friend to many in the SNHU community. This scholarship keeps his memory and dedication to SNHU alive while providing meaningful support to our students.

I encourage everyone to look into volunteer opportunities at SNHU or give their time to a cause they are passionate about. To quote Winston Churchill, “You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.”

Thank you!
Shawn Burnham ’09
Alumni Association Board of Directors Vice President
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawndburnham

Global Days of Service | March 1 – April 30, 2024 | #ServeWithSNHU
Spring of 2024 will mark our ninth annual Global Days of Service (GDS), a two-month-long initiative that brings Penmen together from across the globe to make a difference in their local communities. Get involved in any of the following ways:

1. Register and serve at an official GDS project happening virtually or in your neighborhood.
2. Submit your plans to lead a project and add it to the 2024 map!
3. Join the ‘Serve with SNHU’ Facebook group to stay in-the-know and connect with fellow Penmen do-gooders.

Want to lead a project this year, but not sure where to start? Watch this recording of a Global Days of Service - Information Session, where we discussed the many ways to get involved, how to lead a project and shared some past successes to inspire 2024 possibilities. The deadline to submit your project plans is April 1.

Virtual Mock Interviews—Volunteers Needed!
Join us for virtual mock interviews this spring! These interviews allow campus-based students to connect with alumni and/or employer partners to practice interviewing skills. We’re asking volunteers for a minimum two-hour time commitment for this event, but you’re welcome to sign up for multiple sessions:

• Wednesday, March 20 | 9 am–4 pm ET
• Tuesday, March 26 | 9 am–4 pm ET

Learn more and sign up to volunteer!

Active Citizen Network (ACN)
Have you made community service an integral part of your SNHU experiences, and do you continue to dedicate time to improving your community and the world around you? If so, we invite you to apply to the ACN: a civic society of SNHU alumni and graduating seniors who continue to commit themselves to being active and involved citizens. You’ll be able to learn from, network with and continue to grow within the SNHU community, resulting in your ability to make a greater and stronger impact in the communities in which you work and play. Learn even more about this dynamic group!

If you’re interested in joining, we encourage you to apply and help us build our network! Applications are due by April 1. Should you have questions, please email the Associate Director of The Chandler Center Kelley Hobbs.

February Volunteer Honoree: Paul Addonizio ’05
Paul is one of our dedicated Alumni Board of Director members. This alumnus loves giving back with his alma mater and building connections with the community. Whether it's in-person or virtual, he is always ready to raise his hand to help and hopes to inspire others to do the same.

Learn more about Paul and his drive for volunteering with SNHU!

Update Your Volunteer Interests
Did you know you can add or change your volunteer interests at any time? Be the first to know about upcoming volunteer opportunities by updating your passion areas.

“No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.” —Taylor Swift

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