Seton Hall MPA Students Lead Community Outreach at Marketplace in Irvington

Gabrielle Rossi, Ph.D., and her Master of Public Administration (MPA) students are putting classroom principles into action by spearheading a volunteer initiative at the Marketplace in Irvington, located at the Greater New Point Missionary Baptist Church. On a brisk afternoon, the group—including Jordan Clark Sherman, Timothy Dziekan, Kayla Strube and Susan Comparato—spent hours hauling and organizing food donations to ensure local residents have easier access to essential groceries.

Arriving to find pallets of canned goods, produce and household supplies, the volunteers formed a human assembly line—quickly unloading, sorting and neatly stacking items for distribution. Under Rossi’s guidance, the MPA students applied leadership and organizational skills honed in their graduate coursework, turning an overflowing shipping container into a well-structured storage space.

“One of the most rewarding parts of being a professor is creating volunteer experiences that bridge academic learning with real-world service. These opportunities give students a chance to collaborate with passionate practitioners and organizations, gaining hands-on experience while making a meaningful impact. I truly believe there’s so much to learn from those doing the work every day, and I personally walk away from these experiences with a deeper appreciation for our community. In a time when the news can feel overwhelming, connecting with everyday heroes has been a powerful reminder of the good happening all around us.”
— Gabrielle Rossi, Ph.D., Seton Hall University

By day’s end, shelves were stocked and labeled, ready for distribution to Irvington residents. The volunteers’ hard work exemplifies Seton Hall University’s mission of ethical leadership and community engagement, bridging classroom theory with real-world service.

For more information on how to support the Marketplace in Irvington or to learn about volunteer opportunities, please contact the Greater New Point Missionary Baptist Church.

Categories: Faith and Service