National Office
Located Blocks from the White House, TDC is housed in the Offices of AASCU in D.C.
Verdis L. Robinson
National Director of TDC
Verdis L. Robinson joins TDC as the National Director.
Verdis LeVar Robinson is the first National Director of TDC after serving as a tenured Assistant Professor of History and African-American Studies having taught writing-intensive, web-enhanced, service-learning courses at Monroe Community College (MCC) in Rochester, New York, for ten years. In addition to serving as MCC’s TDC Campus Coordinator since the beginning of the organization, he has served on TDC National Steering Committee and on the Advisory Council for its Economic Inequality Initiative.
Professionally, Verdis is a fellow of the Aspen Institute’s Faculty Seminar on Citizenship and the American and Global Polity, and the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Faculty Seminar on Rethinking Black Freedom Studies: The Jim Crow North and West. He is also a Public Scholar with New York Humanities. Additionally, Verdis is the founder of the Rochester Neighborhood Oral History Project that created a walking tour of the community most impacted by the 1964 Race Riots, which has engaged over 400 members of the Rochester community in walking, discussing, and learning about the legacy of Jim Crow Rochester. He holds a B.M. in Voice Performance from Boston University, a B.S. and M.A. in History from SUNY College at Brockport, and an M.A. in African-American Studies from SUNY University at Buffalo.
TDC Civic Intern Team
TDC is Supported by a Team of Interns Based in Washington, D.C. and at our Regional Campuses
The Democracy Commitment has started a student internship program to regionally engage campuses & students with the national office, and to further TDC’s mission and goals. The new Civic Intern Team (CIT) welcomes six new interns into the fold as a group of motivated and engaged students studying at or affiliated with our member institutions to help promote regional civic engagement efforts and activities providing the national platform that they deserve. Through their efforts both behind the scenes and at the forefront of TDC, the CIT will help to publicize the civic power of democracy’s colleges more than ever before. So, without further adieu, let’s meet the inaugural TDC Civic Intern Team.
Grant Fishman
National Office Intern
Grant Fishman serves as TDC’s intern for Fall 2017 assisting at the National Office in Washington, D.C., through The Washington Center internship program. Along with his Internship, Grant pursues a BS in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) with a minor in Sociology at Suffolk University in downtown Boston.
After growing up in Weston, Massachusetts, Grant attended a boarding school in Wilton, New Hampshire, before attending Suffolk and now lives in Concord, Massachusetts. At Suffolk, Grant represents the PPE Student Advisory Board as a Chair and assists in promoting the major within the University as well as contributing to projects and initiatives designed to further it. But while the Advisory Board plays a role in the success of the major, its primary focus is to ensure the success of PPE students and provide opportunities for young professionals. Civic engagement is essential in its mission and is a large part of what Grant has been working on at Suffolk these past few years. After graduating, Grant intends on pursuing a law degree in constitutional policy and continue on to pursue a career in public service.
Read MoreAaron Pallares
NATIONAL GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN
Aaron Pallares, a native Houstonian and first generation American, made his way to Michigan for his love of snow. This scene of tranquility scene helped to provide an atmosphere of serenity and focus for his talents in graphic design, web design, and brand identity at Delta College.
Currently, as a student at Delta College, he aspires to one day become a digital marketer and brand ambassador. Aaron Pallares has been married to his lovely wife, Jessica, for a decade. They create a wonderful team alongside their half-pint daughter, Zoe.
Read MoreEden Shaveet
MASSACHUSETTS-BASED REGIONAL CIVIC INTERN
Along with her service to TDC, Eden serves as a Commonwealth Corps member with United Way Youth Venture as the Venture Retention and Engagement Innovator at Mount Wachusett Community College.
As a recent graduate of Mount Wachusett Community College and the Gateway to College program, Eden received her high school diploma and her Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences in May of 2017. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Elms College and plans to continue her graduate studies upon her graduation in the Spring of 2019.
Read MoreAngelo Kapp
MICHIGAN-BASED REGIONAL CIVIC INTERN
Angelo Kapp is a student at Delta College in Michigan and also attends Northwood University. Angelo served as a student intern at the CLDE16 in Indianapolis, IN.
He is the former Vice President of Citizens In Action, a student-led club that promotes student civic engagement around campus and local communities. Angelo is a member on the advisory committee for Somos Hispanos, a PBS show about Hispanic people. He is pursuing a degree in Advertising and Marketing and is a member of DECA, Society of Hispanic Leaders, and the American Advertising Federation.
Read MoreCindy Nicole Aldana
NEW JERSEY-BASED REGIONAL CIVIC INTERN
Cindy Nicole Aldana is currently a second year student at Raritan Valley Community College located in Central New Jersey. Cindy is currently working to receive an Associate’s degree in Communications and Political Science.
At RVCC, she also serves as a Senator for the Student Government Association, President of Debate Club and also a member of the Feminist Coalition. After finishing her last year at RV, she plans to transfer and has a grocery of list of schools that she desires to. One of them being Georgetown due to their great academics and integrity, as well as their beautiful location. After finishing her Bachelor’s degree, she aspires to attend Law School in the hopes and aspiration to practice Constitutional Law. To which, practicing law will give her great experience for her ultimate career goal; to become an Elected Official. All these goals and aspirations developed due to her interactions and experiences a RVCC. Communicating with students on their concerns and needs sparked her interest in desiring to serve with a purpose bigger than herself.
Read MoreNathan Bowman
CALIFORNIA-BASED REGIONAL CIVIC INTERN
Nathan Bowman received his Associate’s degree in liberal studies with an emphasis in behavioral sciences from College of Marin. Nathan is currently an undergraduate student at San Francisco State University pursuing a Ph.D. in Sociology.
While studying at College of Marin, Nathan was the President of the Student’s for Social Justice club where he developed an interest in ensuring that students become civically engaged in their community. Student’s for Social Justice allowed Nathan to attend the CLDE meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, where he was featured as a speaker for multiple panels.
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