Lauren Maynard ’17G

Get to Know Our May 2024 Honoree!

Meet Lauren – a dedicated SNHU staff member, proud alumna, and seasoned Global Days of Service project leader. She is driven to give back to the blood donor community that once helped her in a time of need. She also values the connections made with others who are just as passionate about such an important cause. Check out our Q&A below to learn even more about Lauren and why she volunteers.

What inspires you to volunteer with SNHU?

I am lucky to work at an institution that values giving back to our community in a way that is meaningful to me. Not only am I driven in my day-to-day work by the mission to transform the lives of students, I am encouraged to take advantage of resources like Volunteer Time Off (VTO) to engage with other causes that have personal significance.

For the past two years I have been able to organize a Red Cross Blood Drive on campus as an SNHU Global Days of Service project. Donating blood is very important to my family as blood donations saved my life when I was delivering my daughter in 2021. It feels good to be able to give back after I was given such a gift from selfless blood donors. 

What do you enjoy most about volunteering with SNHU?

Volunteering with SNHU has allowed me to build relationships that I wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. Community members from across the institution have connected with me about their reason for donating blood and it has turned into an excellent opportunity for all of us to give back to a cause that has such personal significance.

What results have you seen from your efforts?

We had 64 donors participate in last year's Red Cross Blood Drive – amounting to a total of 54 units collected. I was very proud that 39% of our appointments were from first-time donors!

Did anything unexpected happen as a result of your volunteer activities?

Helping your community alongside your colleagues ended up being a great team building activity. It really helps put things in perspective and is a chance to get to know your coworkers beyond work.

Will you continue to volunteer with SNHU? Why?

I will absolutely continue to volunteer with SNHU. In a world where it feels like so much is out of your control, volunteering is one way that I can make a difference.

Will you encourage others to get involved?

Yes, I encourage others to get involved during Global Days of Service each year to find a project that resonates with them or start one of their own!

Past Volunteer Spotlight Honorees