A Bright New Point of Light

Saint Ben’s is built on the efforts of those who recognize the value of this space and reach within themselves to enhance that value. From donors to volunteers, we rely on this generosity every day.

Executive Director of Alumnae Relations Valerie Jones '94 marvels at the number of CSB alumnae who help out in areas like Career Services programs/events. “Our peer institutions think we pay our alumnae to assist with Career Services because [they] simply can’t get their alums to come back and serve in these numbers.” It’s a distinctly Saint Ben’s phenomenon, and it explains why we’re the first college in the nation to receive the Service Enterprise designation from the Points of Light Foundation. “Organizations that fully leverage volunteers perform better than peers – and at roughly half the cost,” says Valerie. That’s not just because of savings on staffing costs. The Service Enterprise designation requires developing and implementing a comprehensive system of best practices that will touch every department. The result is institution-wide improvements in processes, documentation, operations and efficiency. “When you look at the issues facing the world, it’s clear that Saint Ben’s needs to be here,” says Valerie. “We do the important work of educating women who will become thought leaders, and we work to make Saint Ben’s accessible to those who need extra support to be here. One of the ways for us to continue to be here in the long term and continue to increase accessibility is to be really good stewards of our resources. Inviting volunteers to be engaged in our work and in our mission in a deeper, more meaningful way, is an act of preservation and growth.”