As this week’s celeb looks back at how her life has unfolded, it just makes sense. While her friends were busy constructing their solar system dioramas for the middle school science fair, Danielle Cassidy, was busy volunteering her time at food drives. Nearly a decade later, not much has changed for the TCNJ senior. As she watches those same friends enter med school, she will be walking a different path as she prepares for her mission with the Peace Corps.
“Active volunteering is a significant portion of how I view my identity,” says the Psych and WGS double major.
Danielle began forming this identity at a young age, volunteering at food drives. Eventually, her involvement in the community grew into hosting charity events and today, she is one of our very own Bonner Scholars at The College. Through Bonner, Danielle has had volunteering experiences in faraway places like New Orleans and Nicaragua. She has also volunteered in our own backyard at Trenton probation and anger management programs. Right now, Danielle is beginning her third year in Wagner Correctional Facility tutoring inmates and is starting a new project to help educate inmates at Mercer County jail.
Danielle’s passion for helping others radiates through her words as she describes her experiences as “privileges,” for which she is “beyond blessed” to have. It is no wonder that Danielle looks at her mission with the Peace Corps as her calling. “I consider this to be a mission rather than a job,” Danielle reveals.
After the long application process (6-9 months!) that Danielle is currently undergoing, she will find out her placement with the Corps. While she has special interest in Youth & Community Development, such as creating mentoring programs for at-risk teens, Danielle says she trusts that the Peace Corps will place her in any area that her service will be valued.
Danielle hopes to reach the end of her application journey by this May when she graduates. In the mean time, this collegiette will be continuing with her hectic schedule working as an Assistant Residence Director for Reslife, a member of the Community Standards Board for Student Conduct and a volunteer for the phones at CONTACT Crisis & Suicide hotline, all while taking a Life Coaching Certification program through NYU. Talk about busy!
If you or a friend has any interest in following in Danielle’s footsteps, be sure to attend TCNJ’s Peace Corps Info Session this Wednesday, September 26 at 2 p.m. in the Library Auditorium.