Drexel University Sacramento Announces Three Recipients of Civic Engagement Scholarships

Drexel University Sacramento today announced that three Sacramentoarea women have been awarded the Civic Engagement Scholarship.

Becky Johnson

Becky Johnson and Stephanie Landrum of Sacramento, and Kristine Cassidy of Yuba City, will each receive $15,000 scholarships to attend Drexel’s graduate program in Sacramento. The scholarship can be applied to tuition for any of the part-time graduate degree programs offered by Drexel.

Drexel University Sacramento offers the scholarships as a continuation of its effort to develop the next generation of business, nonprofit and civic leaders whose skills will be of great importance to the future of the Sacramento region.

Kristine Cassidy

"Drexel takes tremendous pride in being acknowledged for its innovation and the many ways we partner with community groups in the Greater Sacramento region,” said Dr. Sandra Kirschenmann, Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director of Drexel University Sacramento. “We are proud to welcome three accomplished women like Kristine Cassidy, Becky Johnson and Stephanie Landrum. I’m delighted that we can provide these scholarships to such deserving recipients. Our dynamic program will give them the opportunity to position themselves as leaders in both their careers and communities.”

  

Stephanie Landrum

Scholarship finalists were interviewed by the award committee, which was comprised of leaders of the Sacramentoregion’s chambers of commerce and civically engaged partners.

Johnson is enrolled in Drexel’s MBA program. She is the Senior Manager for PG&E’s Sacramentodivision, which includes Sacramento, Yolo, Solano and Colusa counties. She heads up the Energy Solutions & Service group and the division leadership team, which is focused on energy efficiency and resolving customer and public safety issues.

Johnson has worked in the field of urban infrastructure for two decades, with previous positions in the construction, engineering and manufacturing sectors.

She is a senior fellow and executive committee board member of the American Leadership Forum. Previously, she served as chair for Leadership Sacramento, president of the Junior League of Sacramento, and she is a graduate of Sacramento’s City Management Academy and the FBI Citizens’ Academy.

An avid runner, she has completed more than 25 ultramarathons (longer than standard 26.2 mile distance). She is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley.

A driving reason for choosing Drexel is the university’s commitment to the community.

“My family has always been civically engaged, and Drexel’s values closely align with my own,” said Johnson, who grew up in Auburn. “Plus, the curriculum and cohort structure will enable me to learn new concepts and skills.”

Landrum has been employed by Kaiser Permanente for the past six years and is currently the Community Benefit Health Specialist for the South Sacramento Service Area. She feels Drexel’s Executive Masters program in Public Health (MPH) will be a tremendous asset to her career.

Cassidy, an MBA student at Drexel, has enjoyed a long, fulfilling career in healthcare, working just over 25 years for the Rideout Health group in Yuba City. She and her husband, John, have been active volunteers in Yuba City, where they have lived since 1985. She has been a Yuba City Rotary member for seven years and the Cassidys frequently volunteer for local fundraising efforts.

“I’m so appreciative of being awarded this grant by Drexel,” Cassidy said. “Drexel shares my passion to help the community. I really look forward to the formal, critical thinking skills that I will learn at Drexel. The MBA program was exactly what I was looking for in a graduate program.”

Cassidy was born in Yuba City, but her family quickly relocated to Ukiah. She attended California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo and departed with a degree in nutrition. Cassidy returned to the classroom at California StateUniversity, Chico and earned a masters degree in nutrition.

Cassidy has held numerous management and administrative positions with Rideout Health and is currently the Vice President of Extended Care Services. In her spare time, Cassidy is an avid hiker and also enjoys cycling and golf.

All of Drexel’s academic programs are focused at the heart of Greater Sacramento’s growth and economic development initiatives – health, entrepreneurial business, human resources and education.

Drexel – a top-ranked, national comprehensive university – currently offers students seven master's, one doctorate and one post-baccalaureate program designed for working professionals in the fields of entrepreneurial business, human resource development, higher education and health care.

In September 2013, Drexel launched its first full-time undergraduate program in business for students who have finished at least the first two years of their undergraduate education.

For more information about Drexel University Sacramento’s programs in California, visit www.drexel.edu/sacramento or call (916) 325-4600.

Creepy Crawly Creature Feature coming to Rocklin Sept. 22

Annie’s SnoBiz Goes Beyond The Shaved Ice To Help Children in Need

Annie Renee of Annie's SnoBiz

When Annie Renee sells shaved ice at Annie’s SnoBiz, she’s doing her part to fight global hunger.

Every day, she puts money aside from her profits into what she calls her “Jesus Jar,” dedicated to helping support Feed My Starving Children, a Christian non-profit organization that provides tens of millions of meals each year to malnourished children around the world.

Annie’s Sno Biz was “truly a gift from God,” founder and owner of the shaved ice truck, Annie says.  After being a stay-at-home mom for 20 years, Renee believed “God had put this in my lap” once the last of her three children left for college.

The idea of having some type of food truck had always resonated in the thoughts of the family.  “My husband initially had a mini donut idea,” Renee said, “but the idea for shaved ice was what God wanted us to do.”

Renee felt it was important to give back to God which is where she came up with the idea of a “Jesus Jar.”  Renee has been donating a little over a year and has already given more than a thousand dollars to the organization.

The family participated in last year’s Feed My Starving Children MobilePack at William Jessup University. “It was nice to be active in the packing action,” Renee said, “and be a part of what happens behind the finances.”

Annie’s SnoBiz has been in business for three years and she doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. “Seeing the kid’s expressions on their face after they have their first bite is my favorite part,” Annie said. “I plan on doing this until I can’t walk anymore.”

The shaved ice truck is regularly located on the corner of Harding and Douglas roads in Roseville.  Follow Annie on Twitter at @anniessnobiz to find out where the truck is each day and other updates about the company.

For information on supporting this year’s Feed My Starving Children MobilePack in Rocklin, please visit www.sacfmscmobilepack.org