Since 2016, students who walk into Stokes 107 to learn about the Center for Peace and Global Citizenship are often greeted by Allison Carpenter, the Center’s Office Manager. Though her work centers on managing the “surprisingly complicated” CPGC budget, Allison is equally focused on students’ experiences with the Center, whether it's creating a welcoming environment in the office or streamlining the multi-faceted funding process. 

“A large part of my former work focused on student relationship-building, so I use these skills whenever I get to interact with students. Much of that interaction centers around award distribution and receipt submissions, so it helps to be creative as well, to make that process less intimidating and as painless to complete as possible.”

Before joining Haverford as a Faculty Assistant in the Koshland Integrated Natural Sciences Center in 2014, Allison built up a resume of non-profit work, much of it during hard financial times after the 2008 recession. 

“My previous work was managing a multi-year youth program, and I had to figure out how to cover operating expenses for 60+ high school student volunteers and programmatic expenses such as monthly trainings, day trips, overnight trips, materials & supplies, and two program assistant positions with the same [annual] budget - $25,000 - for over a decade. That’s roughly the same cost as four CPGC fellowships!”

Allison's experience in her former role also led to a deep commitment and involvement in work focused on conservation and sustainability.

“When I came to Haverford, it was a complete career change for me but I was thrilled when I learned of Haverford’s focus on sustainability and that campus community members are encouraged to participate in committees, including one working on a plan to make the College more environmentally conscious and sustainable, and another, working with students to make concern and actions for the environment a part of the campus life experience.  I’m so grateful that I can continue to work on these critical issues through these committees, and that I can help inform and enhance the work of the CPGC on the efforts of the College, as well as the surrounding communities.”

Along with her work in sustainability, Allison’s experience with developing and leading experiential-learning excursions led to a co-facilitation role on the 2020 Economic Botany Field Study to Trinidad and Tobago.

“I deeply appreciated being given the opportunity to participate in the Economic Botany Field Study! In my role with the CPGC, I don’t often have the chance to really work in-depth with the Center’s programs. By participating in and helping to implement this field study I was able to use skills from my previous work of developing programming for and guiding youth through similar-type field experiences and enhance my knowledge of critical issues related to history, sustainability, and social and environmental justice in Trinidad and Tobago. It was an experience that I will always greatly value and I hope it will continue to inform my work in the future.”

Allison’s commitment to supporting students is also evident in the way she envisions the future of the Center - something that all staff members are doing a lot of as the CPGC enters it’s 20th anniversary year.

“I think now, more than ever, it is critical for the CPGC to be an advocate for and resource to students and faculty working to address issues related to justice, equity, inclusion and peace. This has always been an important component of the Center’s mission, but in this critical time that we are all living and working through, it is imperative for the College to remain committed to this work and the CPGC is in a position to take a leading role in these efforts...I’m excited to see how the CPGC will evolve and grow over the future and how alumni, students, and partners will guide the Center in that process.”

CPGC staff are working remotely for the fall 2020 semester. If you would like to get in touch with Allison about CPGC opportunities or Haverford’s sustainability efforts, please email her at acarpente [at] haverford.edu.