Community Partnerships: Jyothi Nagarajan, Senior Manager, Ernst & Young, Post-Pandemic Resilience Award Mentor
This March marks the fifth anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic’s disruption of schools and learning communities across the globe. In 2020, Citizen Schools adapted to continue serving students throughout remote learning, and the team knew that once in-person learning experiences were possible again, they would be essential while also a challenge.
Fortunately, Citizen Schools volunteers continued to rise to the challenge to serve our students and support our educator partners. In the 2021-22 school year, we recognized Jyothi Nagarajan with our Most Resilient Mentor Award because of his adaptability and flexibility throughout his service in North Carolina.
Currently a Forensic and Integrity Services Senior Manager at Ernst & Young, Jyhothi embodies a Citizen Schools core value of perseverance. He shared some of his biggest takeaways from his mentorship experience working with students:
“It was a truly enriching experience to mentor enthusiastic students and nudge them in a positive direction. To support an initiative to explore STEM with the next generation, was the most valuable opportunity the [Citizen Schools] has offered me. My most memorable takeaway was listening to the students share their work with such passion. The experience of volunteering with Citizen Schools and interacting with motivated students, has left an indelible impact on me that has left me wanting for more. Thank you Citizen Schools.”