Saint Mary's College has a long-standing involvement in community services. Using the example of Saint John Baptist De La Salle, Gael student-athletes uphold the Lasallian mission of the College by volunteering many hours of service to local youth, elderly and underprivileged communities. During the 2007-08 academic year, each of the 14 Gael athletic teams committed to serve one or more community organizations.
The benefits of community service for the student-athlete are many. Personal and social adjustments develop from working with others. A community service commitment allows a student-athlete to reach outside the Saint Mary's community and realize their relation with the rest of the world. Saint Mary's College of California is committed to service learning in a variety of ways.
Student-athletes have the opportunity to use the values, work ethic and leadership skills learned through athletics to positively influence others in the community. By volunteering at local events, Saint Mary's student-athletes are some of the best ambassador's for the College.
Gaels student-athletes have given their time and effort to the following community service programs:
- NABC Reading Program, providing reading instruction to local youths
- Breast Cancer Awareness Walk
- Visits to the Children's Hospital of Oakland
- Visits to Homeless Shelters in the Bay Area
- Moraga the Beautiful Community Clean-Up Day
- Catholic Youth Organization Skills Clinics and Autograph Sessions
- Carnival-4-Kids
- Hosted a girl scout sleepover
- Art and Wine Festival volunteer participation
- Canned food drive for the St. Anthony's Foundation in San Francisco
- I'm Going to College Day, at Saint Mary's College
- Mentoring after school programs within the Oakland Unified School District
- Clothing drive
- Soles for Souls Shoe Drive
- Visits to Numerous Elementary and Middle Schools throught the Bay Area
The Commitment to Personal Development involves supporting Saint Mary's Student-Athletes in their pursuit of a balanced and healthy lifestyle. Programs related to Personal Development are designed to encourage personal growth, strengthen decision-making skills, and help student-athletes develop into strong leaders.
Through a freshman class, workshops, group sessions, guest speakers, and a partnership with the National Center for Drug Free Sport, the following issues will be addressed with Saint Mary's Student-Athletes:
- Alcohol Awareness
- Drug Use and Abuse
- Stress Management
- Gambling and Sports Betting
- Nutrition and Eating Disorders
- Personal and Social Development
- Etiquette
- Diversity Awareness
- Financial Responsibility
- Violence Prevention
- Sexual Responsibility
The Career Development component of the CHAMPS/Life Skills program is designed to assist all student-athletes with their career and life planning. Student-athletes may explore personal interest inventories and need assessments while gaining valuable leadership skills and interview techniques.
The Office of Student Support Services works in collaboration with the campus Career Center to provide student-athletes with the most current career related information and services. The Career Center offers a wide array of services from career workshops to on-campus interviewing, cooperative educational work experience, and job placement assistance. The Career Center is committed to assisting students with their career planning and successful decision-making. Students will have the opportunity to:
- Develop and explore career plans related to academic interests
- Acquire career related work experiences
- Develop personal strategies that ensure successful employment upon graduation
- Participate in on-campus interviews and employer informational sessions
- Gain knowledge of current employment trends and issues in the workplace
Additional services offered by the Career Center include:
- Individual Counseling
- Vocational Assessment
- Occupational Information
- Career Workshops
- Resume Building Workshops
- Mock Interviews
- On-Campus Interview Program
- Business Etiquette Workshops
- Job Placement Services
- Career Fairs
- Career Resource Library
- Outreach Program
- Referral Service
- Alumni Career Counseling
The Career Center is located on the second floor of Ferroggiaro Hall. If you have any questions regarding career planning, please visit or call (925) 631- 4600 to speak to a career counselor.
