Episode 14: lonely campus podcast with Alex Shaffer
Episode 14 of the lonely campus podcast focuses on Alex Shaffer, a Renee Crown Honors Program scholar and sociology major in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs with minors in political science and psychology. As a high school student, she earned a Girl Scout Gold Award for founding the Purple Pantry, a food pantry in her local community of Cortland, NY. While at SU, she's been active in the Food Recovery Network, which distributes leftover food from university dining halls to local communities in need. She's also been president of the Disability Student Union and Syracuse Abroad Global Ambassador. Alex talks about her extensive community activism and the importance of giving back. She also speaks openly about being a college student living with a disability. Finally, Alex shares insights on her experiences of college loneliness and provides helpful suggestions on how to find community on campus.
Creators and Guests
Host
Amy Messersmith
Amy Messersmith is one of two inaugural Office of Diversity and Inclusion Administrative Fellows at Syracuse University. She is the Associate Director of Student Support Services (SSS) and works closely with the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). HEOP and SSS are two opportunity programs that serve undergraduates at SU, many who are first generation college students. Amy collaborated with a team of likeminded staff and faculty to create The SENSES Project in 2021, which is a student focused recording studio and podcasting program for HEOP and SSS students and their friends. If you want to share your story on the lonely campus podcast, please email Amy at akhoran@syr.edu.
Guest
Alex Shaffer
Alex Shaffer is a Renee Crown Honors Program scholar and sociology major in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs with minors in political science and psychology.
