The good Cornellians can do: Lucille Arcedas MPS ’10

Lucille Arcedas MPS '10 has been inspired by President Emeritus David Skorton's Commencement address since 2010. Notable in Skorton's speech, Arcedas says, was this charge: to "continue to lift the world’s burdens locally, nationally and globally—no matter where your path takes you from Schoellkopf today."

"Going back to the Philippines, my home country, a few days after graduation was full of excitement," Arcedas says. "It also brought a sense of accountability. Now, I look back with gratitude because, somehow, I have done my part as a Cornellian."

Arcedas has given back to her community in many ways—particularly in the areas of education and environmental support. This has included serving as a faculty member for the Technological University of the Philippines Visayas (TUPV), where she has supported jail visitation programs, and also facilitates programs and classroom activities for Indigenous peoples in her province. She helped spearhead a program that helps empower communities to design sustainably, and says environmental protection is integrated in many of her lessons.

"Every day is a new opportunity to smile and be of service to others," Arcedas says. "I hope that through my simple effort in this part of the world, people may see Cornellians as proactive catalysts for a better, inclusive world."

Cornellians around the globe are sharing how they do good in communities big and small. Share your own story.