Community
Welcome to the Community Outreach Resource Page for the SUNY Geneseo Neuroscience Program
In collaboration with the SUNY Geneseo Office of Student Volunteerism and Community Engagement (OSVCE) we are excited to offer this page as a resource for those who wish to use their education and expertise to enhance life in their local community.
SUNY Geneseo neuroscience majors are active in local community service and are required to participate in one of several programs. However, students from other majors can also volunteer for these programs as well.
Volunteering at CSF Flow
In June of 2019 #neuroscience and #psychology students from Geneseo volunteered to work as student ambassadors at CSF Flow in Buffalo, NY. CSF Flow is a conference gathering experts from around the world who specialize in Chiari (a malformation of the base of the skull) and Syringomyelia (fluid accumulation in the spinal cord). The organization sponsoring the conference, Column of Hope, was founded by Geneseo alum Mark Kane ’80. Mark and his family (Geneseo grads Barbara Bangerter Kane ’80, Laura Kane-Punyon ’06, Joseph Kane ’09) have made significant efforts to advance research for these disorders. The students who volunteered, along with #Geneseo professor of psychology Terry Bazzett, found the content and experience hugely valuable and highly rewarding.
Home Away from Home Respite Center
This on-campus respite care program provides a restful environment where members of the Geneseo community affected by Alzheimer’s disease or other memory disorders can interact socially with student volunteers. Students find the experience rewarding and helpful for future careers in public health. “It is a lot easier to understand how different defects in different pathways and parts of the brain present themselves when you get to experience it in person. It was also nice to have a couple hours every week where I got to sit down and have meaningful time with people and form connections.” (LK, Fall 2022). Students interested in volunteering should contact Christa Barrows, the Program Director see HAH respite .
The RKids After-School Enrichment Program
This after-school enrichment program was developed by the OSVCE and is now operated under the direction of the SUNY Geneseo School of Education. With a primary focus on encouraging healthy life choices and enhancing educational pursuits, the RKids program offers children from the local community a safe after-school environment where they can eat a healthy snack and receiving tutoring for homework assignments. In addition, the children participate in entertaining and engaging activities designed to encourage positive behaviors and attitudes. Our neuroscience majors currently conduct numerous activities throughout the semester created to increase interest in STEM education. These activities include tours of the laboratory, scientific equipment scavenger hunts, constructing an edible model of a neuron, and more.
Geneseo Brain Fair
The Geneseo Brain Fair is a community event to engage children of all ages in the wonders of brain science. Details about the event can be given by the Neuroscience Club. The event takes place in March during Brain Awareness Week, a global campaign to engage the public in brain science. Read more about the campaign at the Dana Foundation Brain Awareness Week website. Students interested in volunteering should contact Dr. Bechard.
Nu Rho Psi
The Geneseo Chapter of Nu Rho Psi, Zeta of New York, is a charter of the national honor society for neuroscience.