Newark College Student Recognized for Volunteerism

Landia Lane, President of the Essex County College (ECC) Student Government Association (SGA) has been cited for her numerous volunteer efforts by the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

The Newark resident is one of 104 college students, and the only one from a community college in New Jersey, to receive the society’s 2013 Volunteer Service Award.

Lane, a social sciences major at ECC, has been involved in numerous volunteer activities over the past year, both on campus and in the community.

“I registered students to vote and worked on our campus-wide blood drive and the AIDS/HIV screenings,” she said, as well as volunteering at New Hope Baptist Church serving meals and handing out supplies to those affected by Hurricane Sandy.

The society is an honors organization that recognizes high achievers in college, and also provides leadership and service opportunities, and scholarships.  She will soon receive a President’s Volunteer Service Award pin, certificate and a congratulatory letter from President Obama.

Lane also hopes to be spending the summer at the White House as an intern.

“The intern program starts on May 28 so I should hear soon. I’m literally on pins and needles about it,” she said. Lane, who applied for the position this past fall, has received letters of recommendation from U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg and U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr.

Lane has a 3.59 grade point average and was inducted into the College’s Phi Theta Kappa two year honor society chapter this past fall. After earning her associate degree later this year from ECC, she plans to continue her education to become a social worker at Ohio State University, the University of Pennsylvania, Seton Hall or Columbia.