Kelly Green is the kind of student that surely represents the Mercyhurst mission. A senior accounting major, Green has spent her time at Mercyhurst working off campus as part of the Erie City Mission, a local organization that has provided resources to the Erie community since 1911. Recently, Green was recognized with a $5,000 scholarship and was named the Rotary District 7280’s Servant Leader Scholar for 2022. Green stated that she plans to use this scholarship to complete her education at Mercyhurst.

Green’s passion for service began at a young age inspired by family values. Her parents gave up their corporate business jobs in New Castle, Pennsylvania to help rebuild the City Rescue Mission, where Green spent many years volunteering during weekends and school vacation. The Mission was even the site of her first job, demonstrating her dedication to serving others. 

Green’s move to Erie to attend Mercyhurst did not put a stop to her service work. From the beginning of her college experience, Green began working as a mentor at the Erie City Mission in their program called “Urban University.” Over the years she has mentored young children, watching them step out of their comfort zones and find their voices in the community. Green describes the mission of this program to “be the change by building leaders that will change our community.”

In reflection of her memories working at the Mission over the past several years, Green remembers one student in particular, a shy sixth-grader who would rarely interact with other students.

“Now, as she is entering high school, she has grown into a confident and kind young woman who is now a spokeswoman for our program,” said Green. 

The Servant Leader Scholarship is awarded by the Rotary Club District 7280, encompassing the Western Pennsylvania region. In order to receive this award, leaders must be nominated from their home Rotary Club. In addition to receiving this award, Green was offered a part-time position working on the staff at the Erie City Mission as a youth program administrative assistant, upping her previous volunteer hours of eight to ten hours per week to a full twenty to thirty. In this new position, Green is excited to “have the opportunity to help build that change behind the scenes.”

In addition to her work off campus, Green is heavily involved here at Mercyhurst. She is a student-staff member for the ACHA Women’s Hockey Team where her passion for helping others drives her to assist the team in success. Green is also a member of other organizations including Phi Eta Sigma and the Business club, where she serves as treasurer.

Following graduation, Green intends to keep up her mission for service by finding a career in non-profit accounting or fundraising. She is interested in reducing homelessness in addition to working with victims of sex trafficking and domestic violence.

Green’s work in serving the homeless community sets a great example for Mercyhurst students to strive to follow, and is just one of many ways that students can become involved in the community.