FSE Coordinators (five in all) work as a team throughout the summer to design, plan and implement the Freshman Service Experience, a 3-day program for approximately 600 incoming students and 90 upper-classmen leaders. Their role is to identify and negotiate site placements (schools and nonprofit groups), design the opening session and evening programs, place incoming freshmen in 50 nonprofit locations throughout the DC metropolitan area, prepare leaders to work with their groups and sites, and oversee the actual program which will take place from August 21-23, 2012. This is a great leadership opportunity, as well as a way to get to know the DC metropolitan area, its socio-economic issues, distinct neighborhoods, history, and political concerns.

Learn about the 2012 coordinators!

Cindy Zavala is from Alexandria, VA. Growing up in the DC Metropolitan area, she was very involved with the Hispanic Community, especially through her work with non-profit organizations such as Fundasal-USA. In 2008, she was elected Miss Sister City San Miguel-Arlington and worked with the Arlington Sister City Association and Arlington County Board on international projects. In high school, Cindy served as President of the Hispanic Leadership Club and helped organize meetings for Hispanic parents. Currently, she is attending American University’s School of International Service studying International Studies...and loves to LAUGH :)

Thomas Cheng, a rising senior majoring in criminal justice and public communication, cannot contain his anticipation for FSE 2012. Originally from Columbia, MD, he came to AU and participated in FSE in 2009, and he's wanted to work with the program ever since. On campus, he can usually be found performing with Mission: Improv-able, jumping around at Eagle Summit, or eating turkey cheesesteaks from the Tavern. He is currently having the time of his life studying abroad in Copenhagen, but he still misses DC and all it has to offer. He looks forward to putting on the greatest FSE AU has ever seen. 

Mary May Kozlik is a rising junior pursuing a major in Business Administration and a minor in Biology.  She is a Pre-Med student and is passionate about health care advocacy and reform.  She dreams of one day running her own non-profit organization, providing health-related services to underserved communities.  Originally from New Jersey, she will be sad to miss the Jersey shore this summer, but she cannot wait to have free time to explore DC.  As a previous FSE participant and leader, Mary May is extremely excited to play an instrumental role in planning this year's FSE program; she knows this year will be the best one yet!

Alex Karmazin is a rising junior majoring in Political Science and Sociology. Raised on Long Island, New York, Alex gained his passion for community service after entering the American University community. Freshman year he participated in FSE and in the formation of a Residential Community Cluster based on micro finance. This fall he merged his passion for film and his interest in education by doing a promotional video for DC Reads. Alex more recently shaved his head as part of the St. Baldricks Day organization to fight children’s cancer. He is excited to continue his service experience by creating an engaging and enjoyable FSE for the Class of 2016.

Diana Williams is a rising sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Public Health. Having participated in the Freshman Service Experience this past summer, Diana is excited to have the opportunity to help structure and implement another great 3 days of community service for incoming freshman, as a way of being one of the first to welcome them to American University. Hailing from Hillside, New Jersey, Diana is thrilled to have the opportunity to do two things that she loves this summer: being in DC and doing community service. :)