Juliette Devenpeck Receives "Cohort Champion" Award at ESSC Summit

Juliette Devenpeck, a Peer Mental Health Corps member serving at Laurens Central School, received the "Cohort Champion" 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.

As part of the Peer Mental Health Cohort, much of Devenpeck's time is spent in a local K-12 guidance office, offering support in several areas. Her work includes assisting seniors with career exploration, five-year plans and resumes, as well as helping students in grades 6-9 with stress management and emotion regulation. She also provides individual reading support to a 7th-grade student.

"Serving youth is important to me because I believe in focusing on financial literacy and other life skills as a foundation for success after high school," said Devenpeck, a Psychology major and member of the class of 2028. "I have gained valuable experience working with children of all ages and abilities." Observing the daily responsibilities of a guidance counselor has further reinforced her passion for pursuing a career in school counseling.

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.