I consider myself the luckiest person alive. My job - what I get paid to do - is to get to know students and support, encourage, test and celebrate their passions in service and dialogue. The Center is designed to welcome reflective conversation and actions that contribute to safer, kinder and more inclusive community - both on campus and off. The Center is yours - join us and our conversations and make a very real difference for others - and yourself!

Hello! I'm Lauren - a sister, daughter, student, co-worker, facilitator, ally, and friend. I graduated from Champlain in 2006 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business, and now I'm lucky enough to work at the Center for Service and Civic Engagement.  I get to host group dialogues about topics that people care about, organize and participate in social justice initiatives, and meet amazing people. I love it! As a student, I discovered that our ideas of leadership are often developed by flipping on the TV and seeing a Nobel Prize winner, a political leader, or an officer in the army. These are all leaders, but they aren't the only definitions of leadership. To me, being a leader means finding out what you love, care about, or what comes naturally to you - and choosing to use that passion in your life. A leader can participate in community service, perform at open mic nights, encourage community action, attend school events, or simply listen to the ideas of others. We are all leaders. At the Center, we're here to help you discover your own form of leadership - and support you in any way that we can.

Outside of Champlain College, I serve as a panelist on one of Burlington's Reparative Boards with the Community Justice Center, where I also just recently took on the role of Victim Liaison. I also enjoy chatting over coffee or tea, going for a walk/hike, hot mulled cider, photography, playing scrabble, cooking, and meeting new people.

I am an AmeriCorps*VISTA committed to making the college experience available to people who have not yet considered it an option. I work closely with students in the New American Student Scholarship and Vermont First Scholarship programs to make sure Champlain College is financially and culturally accessible to everyone. I am interested in collaborating with community partners to connect young people in the area with the educational opportunities here at Champlain. I try to contribute to the culture of respect and understanding here on campus among all of our students, staff, and faculty. 

My personal and historical memory centers around the beautiful Lake Bomoseen in western Rutland county. I like to cross-country ski and play the banjo. I like Burlington though because I can usually find live music to listen to. I can also walk to my job and the grocery store.