On April 26, Wagner College will host its first Civic Engagement Recognition Day. Our special guest will be David Eisner, chief executive officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service, which administers the Senior Corps, Americorps and Learn and Serve America programs. Wagner College has received a three-year grant to develop its Civic Innovations program through Learn and Serve America.
Civic Innovations is a strategic initiative that addresses the needs of disadvantaged youth. The program is a collaboration between Wagner College and youth- serving agencies on Staten Island. CI promotes two program strategies: Community-Connected Departments, and a Youth Advocacy Consortium. At the completion of the grant period, six academic departments will be linked to six community partners. The overall model transforms college and community dynamics by implementing institutional and curricular changes that integrate experiential learning and civic engagement values, while utilizing college student and faculty expertise to enhance programming tailored to the needs of disadvantaged youth. The model coordinates services and provides a means for community-based organizations to share resources and collaborate with one another.
As part of the first Civic Engagement Recognition Day festivities, which we hope will become an annual event, Wagner College will present awards that recognize and honor exceptional individuals and community partners who exemplify a sense of caring and responsibility for others that connects citizens and works to address community problems. The awardees give their time to community activities, inspiring others to serve and act as role models while improving the lives of others. One winner from each category (faculty, staff, student and community partner) will be chosen. Award winners will be announced at the Civic Engagement Recognition Day festivities on April 26, 2007 at 4:15 pm in Spiro 2. Each awardee will receive a commemorative plaque and cash award of $250.
The first Civic Engagement Recognition Day will wrap up in Spiro 2 with the kick-off of the fifth annual Staten Island Community Days event, an Island-wide effort involving more than 50 faith communities who come together for a weekend of activities — outdoor cleanups, blood drives, health fairs, nursing home visits, food and clothing collections. Moderated by Wagner College President Richard Guarasci, this year’s panel discussion will consist of heroic leaders from each of the major faith communities, answering the question, “How do we accomplish what our faith requires of us in serving others?”
About David Eisner
Eisner is a nationally recognized leader on nonprofit capacity-building, infrastructure, and organizational effectiveness, and focuses his efforts on strengthening the organization’s accountability, improving customer service, and increasing public trust. The goal of the CEO’s management efforts are to make the corporation’s programs more efficient, effective, and accountable; to ensure that national and community service programs add value to traditional volunteering and the nonprofit world; and to bring a far greater degree of consistency, predictability, and value to the Corporation’s programs.
From 1997 until 2003, Eisner was a vice president at AOL Time Warner, where he directed the company’s charitable foundation. Before that, he was a senior vice president of Fleishman-Hilliard International Communications, and prior to that he managed public relations at the Legal Services Corporation. He started his career on Capitol Hill, serving as press secretary for three Members of Congress.
In addition to his professional activities, Eisner has served on the boards of several national nonprofit organizations, including Independent Sector, the National 4-H Council, and Network for Good. A graduate of Stanford University, he received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center. He and his wife, Lori, live in Bethesda, Maryland, with their four young children.
