CORNING, N.Y. – Students and employees from SUNY Corning Community College came together for the College’s annual Campus Clean-Up, spending the late morning beautifying campus grounds ahead of graduation season. Participants gathered in front of the Commons before spreading out across campus to garden, paint, and clear trails.
Jennifer Sellers, the College’s Director of Innovative Learning Sites, said the clean-up has become a meaningful end-of-year tradition that benefits both the campus and the community. “The campus cleanup is a fun end of the year tradition,” said Sellers. “It gets the students and staff outside and away from the end of the year stress.”
Sellers added that the experience offered volunteers an opportunity to connect while making a visible difference. “I had a group out on the trails with me and we had a great time chatting the whole time. Trail work is also nice because you can see the immediate impact of your work.”
For Shelly Kelly, Senior Account Specialist, the event offered a chance to contribute in a meaningful way. “I like to do little things behind the scenes and this is one that makes me feel good,” said Kelly. “I enjoyed getting to see the results and working alongside the campus community.”
Student Government President Sophia Mirando also emphasized the importance of giving back. “It feels really nice that I'm giving back to the community and the campus,” Mirando said. “This event is important because it brings everyone together to do the right thing.”