Acadia Reynolds '17
- Elementary education major from New Orleans, Louisiana
- 2015 Newman Civic Fellow
- Resident assistant, New Residence Hall West
- Selected for 2015 Student Hall of Fame, as a sophomore
- 2014 “The Spark” Award
- Community Service Scholar
- Young Feminists President
- Dance Ensemble member, student choreographer
Acadia Reynolds '17 came to McKendree from New Orleans by way of West Africa. Before she arrived at the Lebanon, Ill., campus in 2013, Acadia taught primary school in Ghana as an American Field Service volunteer. The 10-month experience fueled her passion to become a teacher.
“In all its forms, education has become the driving force behind my service and my
goals as a college student.”
"Through McKendree’s close-knit, quality education track I truly feel like I am developing
the skills to become the teacher I dreamed of. The dedication of the education faculty
is impressive. Almost every single one of my professors has reached out to me in an
effort to ensure I was learning and getting the most out of my classes," she said.
“When I was researching schools all across the country, McKendree stood out as committed
to community service, something that I’ve been passionate about for years,” she continued.
“Dr. Lyn Huxford, who was the director of the Center for Community Service during
my application process, called me several times to speak with me about my own experiences
in service, as well as what I could experience at McKendree.”
Today, Acadia works closely with the university’s Lyn Huxford Center for Community Service to create innovative and successful new program ideas and outreach. For example,
children from the Griffin Center in East St. Louis, Ill., visit the campus each week
to participate in a faculty-led workshops, eat in the dining hall, see a residence
hall room, listen to a speaker or watch a performance - experiences that help them
imagine college as a future possibility.
As Young Feminists president, she has coordinated events to promote awareness of domestic
and sexual violence, and as a residence hall community coordinator, spearheaded a
program called “Catcalling and Social Media.”
In 2015 Acadia received national recognition for her commitment to community service.
She was named a Newman Civic Fellow, one of 201 student leaders chosen by the Campus
Compact, a coalition of 1,100 college and university presidents.
“McKendree University has done nothing but support me in all of my endeavors,” she
said. “From encouraging me to present topics I’m passionate about during the Academic
Excellence Celebration, to a full and vibrant cheering section during my dance performances
in The Hett, I feel more at home here than I ever thought I would.”
Learn more about McKendree University and the Center for Community Service.
Make It McKendree
