Alex Garcia Receives "Excellence in Service, Going Above and Beyond" Award at ESSC Summit

Alex Garcia, a Peer Mental Health Corps member serving at the on-campus counseling center, received the "Excellence in Service, Going Above and Beyond" award at the inaugural Empire State Service Corps (ESSC) summit on March 1 in Syracuse. ESSC members from SUNY institutions across the state gathered at the summit to provide a valuable opportunity for networking and collaboration. Participants also had the chance to engage with SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. during an insightful fireside chat.

Through the program, Garcia has built meaningful connections with students and faculty members in the Oneonta community, gained valuable career-related skills and collaborated with others to support larger initiatives. Garcia is a dual major at SUNY Oneonta in Psychology and Sociology and a member of the class of 2026.

"Service is important to me because since I began volunteering at a young age," said Garcia. "I've seen firsthand how it builds a community and provides a platform to hear the voices and concerns of those who are historically underserved. I believe that supporting local efforts and nonprofits turns into a push toward a more equitable and welcoming world."

The Empire State Service Corps is a program that empowers students to complete 300 paid public service hours over the course of a year. Corps members are also eligible for educational awards through AmeriCorps. The program focuses on key areas such as sustainability, civic engagement, basic needs outreach, anti-hate and bias prevention and FAFSA completion.