Garden City, NY - September 16, 2015 - Adelphi University is committed to enriching the student’s academic program and extracurricular experiences that can provide a smooth transition to college life and a jump start in making new friends. As another academic year begins at Adelphi University, incoming freshman are once again given the opportunity to participate in various volunteer and community service projects as they begin their college careers. Now in its 11^th year of operation, Adelphi’s Freshman Community Action Program (FCAP), allows even the newest members of the Adelphi family to positively contribute to the greater Long Island community.

The FCAP is led by the Center for Student Involvement (CSI) and it gives the incoming students both a chance for service as well as their first look into student life at Adelphi. Assistant Director of CSI, Lauren Pecoraro believes that the program gives the freshman a new perspective on the world both within and beyond Adelphi.  “FCAP provides incoming freshman with the chance to learn more about how places so close to home are less fortunate, and how they can offer a lending hand to a fellow neighbor,” said Pecoraro. “In addition, the program gives incoming freshman the opportunity to see what exactly leadership and service is like here at Adelphi, and to see the many programs they can get involved in order to enhance those skills.”

This year’s FCAP began on Monday, August 24, a full week before the official start of Adelphi’s fall 2015 semester. Despite not having to begin classes until the following week, approximately 60 incoming freshman gave up their final week of summer vacation to give back to the community. Over the course of the week the students participated in a wide variety of service projects, from fighting hunger and homelessness in Manhattan, to volunteering at a veteran’s hospital in Northport, to helping maintain the Garden City Bird Sanctuary.

Many participants expressed how much they enjoyed the program, and how they really loved being able to give back. “I thought that FCAP was the most perfect way to kick off the start of my college career,” said Julia Evans, a psychology and political science major from West Hempstead. “It was a lot of fun meeting new people, making lasting friends, and helping out the community.”

Max Finkleberg of Forest Hills agreed how the experience was worthwhile. “The Freshman Community Action Program was amazing especially when we volunteered at the Veteran's Hospital in Northport,” said Finkleberg. “I might have sacrificed my last week of summer, but it was completely worth it”.

In addition to getting to serve the community, the students all agreed that the program was a great way to meet people before starting a new school and strongly recommended it to future freshman.  “I really enjoyed participating in FCAP,” said Samantha Maney, another participant of the program. “Not only did I get to help those in need, but I made some great friends along the way. I would definitely recommend this to future incoming students.”

This program reflects the University’s purposeful efforts to make student success and community engagement as defining features of Adelphi.

For more information about student life at Adelphi, visit here.

About Adelphi University
New York’s Adelphi University is a nationally ranked, doctoral research university where students succeed by gaining the skills, knowledge and exposure to thrive as professionals and active citizens in an interconnected and fast-paced global society. Today, nearly 8,000 students from 38 states and 46 countries pursue degrees in person and online through Adelphi’s eight distinguished schools and programs—the College of Arts and Sciences, the Gordon F. Derner Institute of Advanced Psychological Studies, the Honors College, the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, the Ruth S. Ammon School of Education, University College, the College of Nursing and Public Health and the School of Social Work. Chartered in 1896, Adelphi is known for offering a personalized education—one is which students are mentored by talented and committed faculty members and readily find opportunities to initiate, innovate, explore and understand. With dynamic learning hubs on Long Island, in Manhattan and in the Hudson Valley, Adelphi serves communities, both regionally and globally, through the research and practice of its faculty, the collaborative initiatives undertaken by its centers and programs, the staging of distinguished cultural events and, most essentially, the education of future leaders and informed citizens.