“We had a quick demo on how to kayak at the dock and after I started paddling, I quickly got the hang of it. However, when I was collecting trash, I felt something brush up on me, presumably a spider and started freaking out and capsized,” said Anderson, a student in the School of Public Health. “Luckily a friend nearby helped me get back on. Even though I did fall, it was still a great first experience I never would’ve had if not for the ASB service trip.”

This summer, the Office of Service Learning and Civic Engagement led six UofL students on a five-day alternative service break (ASB) trip to Chicago. Unlike typical vacations, ASB programs prioritize direct service and addressing the specific needs of local communities.

“Students are expected to approach the experience with flexibility, a servant-leadership mindset and a willingness to step outside their comfort zone,” said Alarah Gillum, UofL’s community engagement specialist.

The students worked with two organizations: one focused on environmental justice and another on housing justice.

The first site, Urban Rivers, a nonprofit focused on restoring city waterways, introduced students to grassroots efforts using floating piers to reintroduce natural habitats. Located on the , the floating dock, made of recycled materials, provides shelter for fish, animals and insects.

Urban Rivers staff taught the students how to kayak, and they then set out on the Chicago River, collecting trash along the way.

“This experience was eye-opening and transformative,” said Isaiah Cruz, a first-year biology student in the College of Arts and Sciences. “The trip made me realize how much is out there in the world and how complex it is. Working with Urban Rivers, I was able to see how people are working to clean the river and make it a place of growth for the community.”

The second site, , serving over 500 unaccompanied youth, introduced students to the causes and consequences of youth homelessness in Chicago. UofL students volunteered at Belfort House, a transitional shelter, by weeding, cleaning and decorating rooms.

“Seeing how Ignite was able to house kids from across the country was also very interesting, I loved learning about how they undertake their mission and the steps they take to ensure that the youth go into society with the skills needed to be successful,” said Cruz. “This trip made me realize I want to work closer with legislation so that projects like these can be supported instead of restricted.” 

One of the biggest treats for students was the ability to connect with alumni. The arranged a meeting with Bri Salsman ’08, an author and certified life coach. When Salsman learned about the students’ visit to Chicago, she eagerly agreed to not only meet with the students, but to also volunteer alongside them.  

“Having worked in higher ed in the early part of my career, it’s always a treat to get to interact with college students,” Salsman said. “When I learned they planned to serve the community, and I couldn’t help but serve alongside them. We shared meals, exchanged stories, and helped improve the living conditions of neighbors getting on their feet.”

Students interested in serving locally alongside other students can for the Office of Service Learning and Civic Engagement’s first West End Weekend, Nov. 9-10, 2024, in the Portland neighborhood West End Weekends are a local opportunity for students to volunteer in their own community. Students will stay on campus but be transported to service sites in the West End of Louisville, working with non-profits on Saturday and Sunday.

The next out-of-state trip for ASB will be to Washington, D.C. in March. Applications are due Jan. 15.

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It’s those same traits – curiosity and willingness to explore new avenues – that lead to scientific breakthroughs.

That inquisitive mindset was the catalyst behind Charalambakis’ decision to change tracks in 2014, from pursuing medical school to obtaining her PhD in anatomical sciences and neurobiology.

“While preparing for exams, I found myself asking questions that went beyond what the study guide outlined,” Charalambakis said. “I wanted to know why nerves innervate muscles a certain way; why don’t we know more about this cell type in the brain? I was thinking like a scientist, not a doctor.”

The Chicago native made the leap after encouragement from Dr. William Guido, chair of UofL’s Department of Anatomical Sciences and Neurobiology. Because she stayed in the same lab, the transition was simple and Charalambakis didn’t have to delay the completion of her degree.

It was during her time in class that again her curiosity led her down a new path.

Charalambakis began to develop a strong interest in science policy, which primarily focuses on the allocation of resources for the conduct of science toward the goal of best serving the public interest. Its topics include the funding of science, careers of scientists, and the translation of scientific discoveries into technological innovation to promote commercial product development, competitiveness, economic growth, and economic development.

“When I entered graduate school, NIH and NSF funding was still pretty tight,” Charalambakis said. “While I did hear about it every so often, I didn’t fully understand the consequences – it was just some government thing I didn’t want to bother learning about. But across the university, I started hearing more and more about how labs were shutting down.”

Charalambakis started asking her mentor questions about science funding, including why it was so challenging and whether or not her project was going to be affected. 

“He started laughing and said, ‘OK Naomi, it’s time we talk about science advocacy and policy,'” she said. 

After learning how she could apply her PhD outside of science, Guido encouraged her to attend Capitol Hill Day, where scientists from around the country meet in Washington, D.C., to discuss with elected officials the importance of research and the necessity of consistent federal funding.

That day in 2015 guided Charalambakis to her current role as a science policy analyst for the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. There, she regularly attends meetings on Capitol Hill and at the National Institutes of Health, helping monitor any pieces of legislation, funding proposals and committee hearings that affect the biomedical research community. She also is charged with cultivating relationships across the scientific research pipeline, including lawmakers, to ensure that all efforts are exhausted to advance research and development.

“While I have no clue what the future holds, I feel like I already have my ideal job,” Charalambakis said. “I wake up sometimes and wonder, ‘Is this really real?’”

Charalambakis, who is participating in Louisville’s winter commencement this week, specifically noted Dr. Guido, Dr. Russell Salter, Dr. George Pantalos and Donna Bottorff among the many that aided in her success.

“I truly owe everything to UofL,” Charalambakis said. “I can say, without a doubt, I would not be where I am today if it were not for the tremendous support I received from the staff and faculty. I think I could write a book of all the people that were instrumental in my career path, including my parents, whose encouragement and support shaped me into the woman I am today.”

“I loved the service aspect, that instead of relaxing over spring or Christmas break, 12 to 20 people go and dedicate their time to others,” she said.

Fast forward to this year and Holder has taken on a leadership role with the program. As student co-director, Holder helped plan and lead a spring break trip to Chicago for 14 students. They spent the week working and learning from three nonprofit organizations that serve victims of domestic violence.  

“Personally, I wanted to address domestic violence because it is a chronic issue no one is immune to,” she said.  

Holder, who is an early education major, said an objective in planning the trip was to expose students to domestic violence victims from different viewpoints.

“People often have an idea of a typical domestic violence victim and I wanted to broaden that vision for all of us,” she said.

They first visited KAN WIN, a nonprofit that empowers Asian American survivors of assault and sexual violence, and helped staff prepare for their Annual Benefit Gala.

Holder said they learned about how immigrants and refugees can be particularly vulnerable for fear that leaving their abuser might affect their legal status or lead to deportation.

“These issues are hard enough as it is, but some families face additional difficulties because of their backgrounds. Leaving can be such a challenge because there are obstacles from every direction,” she said.

They also worked at Sarah’s Inn with Hispanic American women and their families.

With a judge’s permission, they sat through several domestic violence court cases, where they learned some of the legal proceedings required to get away from an abuser.

At the end of each day, the students had reflection time and debriefed their experiences together.

“Everyone could tell something that struck them,” Holder said. “These trips encourage people to find what they’re passionate about and work on that in their own community.”

For example, a student on the trip noted how many homeless people they encountered in Chicago and is now thinking about doing service work around issues of homeless and mental health.

The group always does additional service work around their chosen social justice theme in Louisville Metro, as well. This year they visited , a treatment program for victims of human trafficking, where they repainted a room where participants study to earn their GEDs.