Joe Barber
Director for the Office of Community Service and Civic Engagement
Phone: (860) 297-4256 Email: jbarber@trincoll.edu
Bios: Joe Barber has worked at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut for over 10 years and has been the Director of the Trinity College Office of Community Service and Civic Engagement for the past four years. Prior to his employment at Trinity, Joe worked as an environmental organizer on an urban water quality project with the Connecticut Public Interest Research Group. Joe attended the University of Connecticut where he received an MPA, graduating top of his class, and a BA in Sociology, graduating summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. In addition to his work at Trinity, Joe is involved with transportation, neighborhood revitalization and community economic development issues. Among his current activities, Joe is the co-chair of Hartford 2000, a coalition of all of Hartford’s Neighborhood Revitalization Zones (NRZs), a member of the North Frog Hollow NRZ Committee, and serves on the board of 1000 Friends of Connecticut, a statewide smart growth education and advocacy organization.
Quote: "If I can't dance, it's not my revolution! "– Emma Goldman
Favorite Movie: Office Space, Casablanca, American Beauty, Annie Hall
Favorite Book:Grapes of Wrath, Brave New World, The World According to Garp, the Lord of the Rings trilogy
Hobbies: Running, reading, community activism, Hartford and Connecticut history
Sarah Hoyle
Graduate Assistant for the Office of Community Service and Civic Engagement
Phone: (860) 297-2383 Email: sarah.hoyle@trincoll.edu
Bios: Sarah Hoyle graduated from Trinity College in 2005 with a B.A. in Political Science and is currently finishing up her Master's Degree here in Public Policy Studies. While at Trinity, Sarah participated in intercollegiate athletics, was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, interned abroad in the Irish Parliament, and worked as a Student Admissions Associate in our Admissions Office. Sarah's tenure in the Community Service Office began in June of 2005 where she serves as an advisor to a variety of students-run organizations including the Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity, and F.A.C.E.S. (Friends Active in Civic Engagement & Service).
Quote: "You'll never plow a field by turning it over in your mind"
-Irish Proverb
Favorite Movie: Mean Girls
Favorite Book: John F. Kennedy's PROFILES IN COURAGE
Hobbies: Reading, Politics, Habitat for Humanity
Romulus J. Ferrer-Perez
Program Coordinator for the Trinity College-Hartford Magnet Middle School Partnership Academic Mentoring Program
Phone: (860) 297-2160 Email: romulus.perez@trincoll.edu
Bios: Romulus’s desire to assist people is being realized through the VAMP & Rising Stars Academic Mentoring Program. He keeps sane by playing sports,reading, retreating into his organic garden, or at his gourmet attempts in the kitchen. Romulus hopes to pursue a Master’s in Public Policy (because “there exists no degree for heated political debating!”).
Quote: The Golden Rule: "Do unto others as you want others to do unto you"
Favorite Movie: High Noon (Gary Cooper, Grace Kelly)
(2)Favorite Book(s): Ian Fleming’s FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE (“The best Bond episode ever!”) & Jane Austen’s PRIDE & PREJUDICE (“One of the finest examples of the use of the English language!”).
Hobbies: Traveling, swimming, tennis, skiing, classical music, cinema, reading, cooking and eating!
Katie Kleese
ConnPIRG Organizer for the Office of Community Service and Civic Engagement
Phone: (860) 297-3510 Email: katie@connpirgstudents.org
Bios: Katie Kleese graduated from Grinnell College in IA in 2005 with a degree in biology. After spending a year working at a nature center doing environemntal education in Norhtern MN, Katie moved to CT to work for ConnPIRG. She currently splits her time between Trinity and UConn Greater Hartford.
Quote:"Be the change you wish to see in the world." -Ghandi
Favorite Movie: Amelie
Favorite Book: Ender's Game
Hobbies: Hiking, canoeing, running, baking and eating pie
Melissa Soroka
Dream Camp Program Coordinator for the Office of Community Service and Civic Engagement
Phone: (860) 987-6209 Email: msoroka@esfcamps.com
Bios: Melissa Soroka graduated in 2004 with her teaching certification from Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA. She was hired full-time by The ESF Dream Camp Foundation in December 2004 and works as the Program Director for Dream Camp’s Afterschool Program and Site Director for Dream Camp’s Summer Program. In her spare time she coaches a 14U Fastpitch Softball Team and enjoys taking classes in Education.
Quote:“Challenges are what make life interesting, overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” -unknown
Favorite Movie: Crash, Grease
Favorite Book: Tuesdays with Morrie, To Kill a Mockingbird, A Million Little Pieces
Hobbies: Coaching, Working Out, Rollerblading, Reading