Alex Bauer is highly engaged with her community. "It started out that I'd do these things to make my parents happy and fulfill requirements for scholarships – but then, it really started to become an ingrained part of me. It became something that I was passionate about intrinsically. I want to make change in the world."
Alex, a former student worker in the Office of Civic and Social Responsibility (CSR), ran the Volunteer Connections Center, where she connected students with volunteer opportunities that were enriching and aligned with the student's career goals. As the Volunteer Connections Coordinator, Alex created the "60 Minutes of Service" program. 60 Minutes of Service is a weekly opportunity for students, faculty, staff and community members to come together and engage in service over the lunch hour.
It was through the 60 Minutes of Service, that Alex along with co-student Matt Van Ormer founded the UNO Be The Match student organization. UNO Be The Match has the goal of adding individuals to the national bone marrow registry. Since founding the organization, Alex and Matt have added 150 individuals to the bone marrow registry. "A lesson I have learned from being involved in the community is when it’s time to step up and be a leader."
Currently, Alex is employed as a graduate assistant by the UNO Service Learning Academy.
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Alex is an alumnae of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority where in 2014 she was the philanthropy co-chair. Alpha Xi Delta has a partnership with Autism Speaks, the largest autism advocacy organization in the United States.
Autism Speaks is an organization that seeks not only to find a cure for autism, but support families as well as therapy for children who are effecting by autism spectrum disorders. "I don't think i anticipated how much I would be affected by the families I worked with.These families were so impactful in my life, and the strengths it takes for them to do financially support the children." According to Autism Speaks, the average annual cost for a family to support children affected with autism is $60,000.
During her time as philanthropy co-chair, Alex organized two 5K/10K runs which raised $40,000 in support of Autism Speaks. Alex is also a strong supporter of Nebraska Legislative Bill 505 which ensures that Nebraska health care providers cannot drop health care coverage for families with children affected by autism disorders.
"Take A Chance"
Alex advises all students to be involved in their community and "take a chance".
"My involvement on campus has really set the tone on what I want to be doing in life. It helped me realize what is important to me, and what I want to make a priority in my life. It solidified me as someone who values inclusion and values engagement."
Alex is now pursuing her Master's in Public Administration at UNO and working as a graduate assistant for the Service Learning Academy.