Nadinne Cruz to Receive 2005 Alec Dickson Servant Leader Award

The National Youth Leadership Council is proud to name internationally respected speaker, author, and education consultant Nadinne Cruz as the 2005 Alec Dickson Servant Leader Award recipient.

For more than two decades, Cruz has advanced service-learning nationally and internationally, dating back to her pioneering leadership with the Higher Education Consortium for Urban Affairs in St. Paul, during the 1980s and early 1990s. As Associate Director and then Director of the Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University, 1994-2003, Cruz demonstrated courage in pushing an elite research university not only to accept service-learning, but to embrace it. The Hass Center, transformed during her tenure, now holds the top position in U.S. News and World Report’s ranking of service-learning among colleges and universities. Under her guidance, the center also developed model service programs that are replicated on other campuses. Cruz’s greatest legacy, though, may be the students she inspired, many of whom have pursued lives of service, and the faculty members she trained, who continue to reach even greater numbers of students.

"Nadinne’s strong, clear voice in advocating service-learning as a means for addressing social ills has been heard by countless audiences, a message buttressed by a life of courage, compassion, and creativity," says Jim Kielsmeier, NYLC’s President and CEO. "We are honored to recognize a person who has made such an enormous mark, and who has truly led through service, while inspiring others to do the same."

Currently, Cruz is consulting on various projects, including some with California Campus Compact; writing a book on service-learning; and mentoring former students, staff and emerging young leaders in the field.

The Alec Dickson Servant Leader Award is given annually to honor exemplary leaders who have inspired the service-learning field, positively impacted the lives of young people, and motivated others to take up the banner of service. The year’s award will be presented at the National Service-Learning Conference, March 18, in Long Beach, Calif.

The award is named for British humanitarian Alec Dickson (1914-94) — Nobel Peace Prize nominee and founder of Community Service Volunteers and Voluntary Service Overseas — whose vision, innovation, and commitment inspired many individuals to lead lives of service. His legacy continues to influence young people, teachers, agencies, schools, and communities. Dickson was the honorary Board Chair of NYLC.