On Saturday August 17, 2024 Gene Adams the Bronx Community College Director of Collaborative Education was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Award (PVSA). Adams was presented with the high honor of the PVSA Lifetime Achievement Award for his more than forty years of developing educational and social enrichment programs in Africa and in collaboration with immigrant African service organizations in the United States. Adams has developed and worked on projects in Senegal, South Africa, Rwanda, and other countries. The President’s Service Award was created in 2003 by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation to recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and National identity. The PSVA is presented on the behalf of President Joseph Biden who signed the document.

The PVSA was presented to Adams by Educational Communities Worldwide (ECW) in international service organization based in the United States. Educational Communities Worldwide provides needed educational enrichment and support programs for high school and university students in Ghana, West Africa. ECW was created by its CEO Lawrence Fianko a graduate of BCC who went on and became a certified clinical Master of Social. Fianko did his early social work field placement under the mentorship of Adams at BCC in 2017. The PVSA was presented to Adams at the 2nd Annual 2024 NYC EduCom Gala, which was held in New York’s East Village. Fianko stated, “I am proud to say that I am a product of Gene Adams’ mentorship. His guidance has been instrumental in shaping my own journey, and I’m deeply honored to celebrate his impact on so many lives, including and mine”.

In addition to Adams Educational Communities Worldwide presented President’s Volunteer Service Award Certificates to eleven young BCC student leaders and community volunteers. Each recipient volunteered over the last 12 months and was awarded Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals for their service. Adams and Fianko distributed the PVSA and medals to the young volunteers.

BCC Volunteer Service Award Recipients:

• Cedric Jean Louis, BCC Student – Automotive Department – Gold Level
• Darnell Smith, BCC STEP Program – Gold Level
• Aryanna Chiraunjilal, BCC Graduate, Lehman Student – Gold Level
• Trai Williams, BCC Graduate, Lehman Student – Gold Level
• Angel Anazco, BCC Student- Computer Science – Gold Level
• Andy Colon, BCC STEP -Gold Level
• Alex Luma, BCC Graduate – Gold Level
• Abdon Vizcarrondo, BCC Student – , Cybersecurity – Silver Level
• Fatou Kajkeh, BCC Student – Nursing- Sliver Level
• Karidia M. Kone, BCC Student – Nursing Silver Level
• Anthony Almonte, BCC Student- Cybersecurity