Do Good Month Volunteer Spotlight - Tessa Trach ’17

Do Good month, April 1-30, is an opportunity for the University of Maryland to highlight the good our alums are doing throughout their communities! We are honored to call them our alums, and we hope you feel inspired to give back either on campus or in your own community. Today we highlight Tessa Trach '17. Read below to learn more about Tessa and her journey!

What does "do good" mean to you?

The spirit of "do good" means finding a way to make a positive impact in the world, and what's beautiful about that is that it looks different to everyone.

What inspired you to begin volunteering?

Growing up with my grandfather in the New York City Fire Department, parents who donated blood as often as they could, and my mom frequently volunteering at school, I was inspired to start volunteering at a young age. I saw the ways my family regularly got involved in the community and it became a natural interest of mine as well.

What is the name of the organization you choose to volunteer your time?

I choose to volunteer my time with Adele's Circle of Women.

What do you do in your volunteer role to make an impact?

I've been the Scholarship Chair for the past five years, coordinating the 200+ student applications we receive and organizing 40+ alums to review them.

What makes you continue to come back and volunteer?

I feel so inspired reading the applications each year, which is why I love coming back! Learning about the next generation of Terps through their writing is amazing, but interacting with students at Adele's Circle's annual HerStory event and hearing about how they're doing good themselves is even more exciting. It also feels so special to have alums return year after year as reviewers, invested in giving back to the next generation of Terps with their time and treasure.

Were you a part of any student groups while you were at UMD? If so, share about ways the group helped to support the community.

While at UMD, I was involved in many student organizations, including CIVICUS Living & Learning Program, RHA and ODK. Each organization held service as a key pillar, which is part of why I stayed heavily involved. As a CIVICUS student, we participated in multiple service projects each semester, and I particularly enjoyed the food-related work, like Capital Area Food Bank, Food & Friends and Food Recovery Network.

What message would you give students today to encourage them to seek opportunities to make a positive impact in their communities?

In order to make a positive impact in your community and your own life, start with a cause that you're passionate about. "Doing good" comes in so many forms, and you're most likely to make consistent changes and remain involved if you feel strongly about the work.

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Looking for ways to make an impact? Check out upcoming opportunities here.

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