FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Apr 20, 2022

National service agency recognizes young adults in service and partnership with GWU  

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith presented President’s Volunteer Service Awards to five students from The George Washington University. These awards were presented while AmeriCorps, the agency for national service and volunteerism, celebrates National Volunteer Week. 

Led by AmeriCorps and managed in partnership with Points of Light, the President’s Volunteer Service Award allows organizations to recognize their most exceptional volunteers based on service over a 12-month period or a lifetime. The President’s Volunteer Service Award program began in 2003 and honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires others to act.  Award tiers include Bronze (100-174 hours), Silver (175–249 hours), Gold (250+ hours) and Lifetime Achievement Awards (4,000+ hours).  

“The President's Volunteer Service Award honors America’s proud tradition of volunteer service, recognizing the essential value that volunteers bring to our communities,” said Michael D. Smith, AmeriCorps CEO. “I’m thrilled to present these awards to Ruchi, Dasia, Yen, Jaida and Bishop for their exceptional service and am grateful for The George Washington University’s continued commitment to promoting active citizenship. I am excited to see how these dedicated young leaders will continue to strengthen their community and change the world.” 

GWU recipients volunteered during multiple National Days of Service and served in AmeriCorps programs including Latin American Youth Center, Civic House Scholars, Jumpstart and Martha's Table, among many others. In addition to these five awards, the GWU Honey Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service expects to exceed 650,000 volunteer service hours and present awards to more than 500 students in 2022. 

Today’s recipients include:  

  • Ruchi Amin, Class of 2022, Gold (282 hours)
    Ruchi is a program assistant for the GWU Honey Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public service where she has planned and served at many annual events including Welcome Day of Service, MLK Day of Service, Veterans Day of Service, 9/11 Day of Service, and Give-A-Gift. In her personal time, Ruchi has volunteered at S.O.M.E, Martha's Table and the Latino Student Fund. 

  • Dasia Bandy, Class of 2024, Bronze (142 hours)
    Dasia serves through the Honey Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service as a volunteer for the YWCA and a scholar within the Civic House Scholars program, a highly selective service leadership program. This year Dasia led a mentorship program for freshmen to ease the transition to collegiate life.  

  • Yen Liao, Class of 2022, Gold (285 hours)
    Yen serves through Jumpstart where she works with children and families from underserved communities to bridge the socioeconomic gap in early childhood education. Volunteering with Jumpstart taught Yen the impact of service and the effectiveness of volunteerism in generating positive community change. 

  • Jaida Rogers, Class of 2024, Bronze (180 hours)
    Jaida serves as an engageDC student leader and liaison for a local nonprofit community partner, the Latin American Youth Center, to support organizational needs. Jaida also has served as a teacher’s assistant in leadership and arts-involved classes at LAYC and as a tutor in math, science and language arts.

  • Bishop Matthew Walton, Class of 2022, Bronze (121 hours)
    Bishop is the student founder of GWU's Rethinking DC Youth and Policing, a program in partnership with the Black Student Union, Honey W. Nashman Center, Metropolitan Police Department, and GWU’s Sociology Department where students actively research and engage in projects aimed at reducing youth arrest and bridging the gap between youth in the city and the police. As student project leader, Bishop has been instrumental in serving as a liaison between students, faculty and the MPD.

CEO Michael D. Smith presented President’s Volunteer Service Awards to five students from The George Washington University

The announcement comes during National Volunteer Week, a national observance when AmeriCorps and civic, nonprofit, and faith-based organizations across the country recognize the contributions of millions of volunteers. To join the celebration, follow AmeriCorps on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For long-term, short-term, or just one time, volunteer opportunities use the AmeriCorps Volunteer Search, powered by VolunteerMatch. Visit americorps.gov/volunteer to find out more. 

To learn more about the President's Volunteer Service Award, including the award packages based on hours of service, visit: presidentialserviceawards.gov/about.

AmeriCorps, the federal agency for volunteerism and national service, provides opportunities for Americans to serve their country domestically, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, improve lives and communities, and strengthen civic engagement. Each year, the agency invests more than $800 million in grants for local nonprofit, community, tribal, and state organizations; places more than 250,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers in intensive service roles; and empowers millions more to serve as long-term, short-term, or one-time volunteers. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.