At a glance
Alfred State College recently honored Daniel Woolston, assistant director of Health and Wellness Services, and Jessica Lippa, assistant professor of Nursing, with the Leadership through Civic Engagement Award.
Alfred State College recently honored Daniel Woolston, assistant director of Health and Wellness Services, and Jessica Lippa, assistant professor of Nursing, with the Leadership through Civic Engagement Award.
The award is presented annually by the College Council to acknowledge students, faculty, staff, and alumni who have led or initiated exemplary academic and/or co-curricular initiatives that demonstrate a commitment to engaging in the community – locally, nationally, or globally – through service, volunteerism, activism, politics, and much more.
Woolston has made a lifetime commitment to his community and the welfare of others.
Since the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, he has traveled to the country several times to provide medical care to residents. He has also worked closely with Lippa over the last three years to create an opportunity for Alfred State nursing students to travel to Haiti and provide medical care to specified communities north of Port au Prince.
In addition to coordinating all of the activities prior to each trip, Woolston also serves as the nurse practitioner who helps to organize the nurses and students once the group arrives at the medical locations in Haiti. He then performs advanced procedures and educates people on how to treat their medical illnesses. Woolston also supports the other nurses and students to ensure the team is providing the correct medical care.
Additionally, Woolston helps lead the Hope for Health Club, which provides community service locally, nationally, and globally. He is also an active member of his church, and works as a nurse practitioner in Dansville a few times a month.
Lippa truly is a giver, in that she uses her skills and dedication as a nurse to serve those who need her. She has provided civic engagement trips to Haiti and Houston for nursing students to help serve communities that have been affected by natural disasters. She also leads the Nursing LLC, is actively engaged in diversity and inclusion work on campus, and is working toward her doctorate.
Lippa’s commitment to service and teamwork is evident in the work that she does for the civic engagement trips. She volunteers her time and organizes these trips because she is committed to all human beings receiving equal treatment and medical care. She is a role model for not only her students, but for the professionals that work alongside her.
Lippa is dedicated to serving her community, underserved communities, and still works per diem in local hospitals. She is truly focused on serving others and doing what she can to assist a project, initiative, or individual. She also participates weekly at St. Jude's in the choir/band there to build community at her place of worship.