Now It's Your Turn: A Note from Joan

Cultivating a Culture of Caring

Job seekers today consistently highlight job satisfaction, opportunities for growth and competitive pay as top priorities.

Just as important, though, is a company’s culture—its values, its personality and the way it shows up for the community. Corporate culture shapes how an organization’s employees experience the workplace and how the organization is perceived in the broader marketplace.

One of College of DuPage’s defining personality traits is volunteering. Whether it’s offering time and talent to local neighbors, helping classmates master a tough assignment or supporting colleagues on a project, COD students, faculty, staff and administrators demonstrate a spirit of service every day.

Much of this culture has been cultivated through examples set by parents and friends, according to Grace Simandl, a COD marketing major who plans to continue her studies at North Central College in the fall.

“I started volunteering at local animal shelters and food banks with my family,” she explained. As a high school student, she spent time at the Riverwalk Adult Day Services and found a new meaning to volunteering. 

“I worked with seniors dealing with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other conditions. We would do puzzles, play cards, color and just engage with people,” she said. "I saw how meaningful a conversation could be. I loved the opportunity to connect with others.”

Collegewide Outstanding Full-Time Faculty member Robert Plank mirrored Simandl ’s journey. As a teen, he jumped into Junior Achievement and saw the positive impact people could make in their community. 

“I’ve had the chance to participate in a wide variety of opportunities with COD, along with family and friends,” said Plank, who counts garden work at Almost Home Kids, sorting cereal at Northern Illinois Food Bank, and donating food and clothing to agencies like Humanitarian Service Project. 

It is this culture of care that is exemplified through COD Cares, the College’s volunteer corps. For more than 10 years, COD Cares has built relationships with nonprofit organizations through donation drives, service activities and campus events.

“The many reasons why you give and the extraordinary stories you share behind your gifts are a blessing to the seniors and children whose lives you touch every day,” said Kristin Senne, executive director of Humanitarian Service Project in Carol Stream. “We appreciate COD students and staff for their unwavering support.”

On-campus donation campaigns and pop-up activities are convenient ways to support our community. Others like to share their time at off-campus events.

“My favorite thing to do is put up holiday decorations at transitional homes for military veterans,” said Marie Galvan, COD digital marketing supervisor. “My papa was a Marine, so anything connected to the military has a special place in my heart.”

Galvan also appreciates spending time working on projects with students and staff.

“I love watching students get involved and seeing the outcome of their work. As a volunteer you might not see the reaction of the people you help, but you know in your heart you’ve made a difference.” 

That feeling of giving back is echoed by student volunteers like Vivan Kumar, a biology major and president of Thrive COD, a student service club.

“There was a time in my life when I struggled and felt lost. I questioned whether I would ever be able to do something meaningful,” he said. “Volunteering changed that for me. It gave me a sense of purpose and reminded me that even small actions have a real impact on someone’s life.”

The desire to give back continues outside of COD. Peter Deeman, a COD student advisor, shares his time with COD Cares as well as community events and activities.

“I volunteer as a way to give some of my time to a good cause,” he said. “It’s a way for me to help others and provides a sense of satisfaction in seeing others benefit and improve their lives. It's also a good way to get out and meet people and do things I would not otherwise make time to do.”

COD has built a culture of care through its students, employees and community partners. Kumar said he helps people not because he has to, but because that is what truly makes us human. Plank said many volunteers are motivated by the real and deeply human reward of assisting others, and Senne echoes these sentiments.

“Everything you give and the volunteer hours you work lift people up and show them you care,” Senne said.

That is the culture at COD.

Learn more about COD Cares and opportunities to help the community.