Dorcas Mensah '13 - Volunteer profile

“What better way to get to know a community, its values, and members than volunteer?”

That thought is what drives Dorcas Mensah to dive into becoming a more active member of her community, whether it is at Trent University, her job at Seneca College, or her church.

“My desire to be an active member of my community has always inspired my volunteer endeavors,” she says.

While at Trent, Dorcas served as treasurer, chair and president of the Champlain College Cabinet, director on the Trent Central Student Association and on the Board of Governors. She was also vice-president of the Trent Red Cross and treasurer of the Trent Premedical Society After graduating with her Bachelor’s degree in Science in biology and biological sciences, she returned to share her expertise on the Trent University Alumni Association.

She has since added a Master’s degree of education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. These days, she works as Residence Life Manager at Seneca College and lives in Toronto. She also volunteered on the 2017-18 campaign for the United Way of Peterborough and District.

“When I set out to volunteer, I often don't think of my efforts as changing the world because that can be a little overwhelming,” Dorcas says. “However, as one who is a benefactor of the volunteer efforts of others, I use my time and talents as a chance to connect with others and enrich the future experience of those that will come after me.”

She describes this as her “paying it forward” mindset.

Coming to Trent from Edmonton, Dorcas describes her university experience as “nothing short of extraordinary, from the encouraging faculty, staff, administrators to the vast diversity in the student body and friendly Peterborough community.”

“As an out-of-province student, a sense of community has been key in my time at Trent,” she adds. “My sense of belonging has increased and has allowed me to give back to my community.”

Dorcas continues to share her time participating in mentorship programs through Seneca, her church, and her professional association.

“There is a sense of personal fulfillment that comes from knowing that I am making an impactful difference in my community,” she says. “I am leaving it better than I found it.”

Her volunteer roles draw on her skills in communication, time management, and engagement.

“I love structure and assigning deadlines to tasks,” she says. “As a volunteer, I ensure that I am able to clearly communicate what I hope to gain from the experience, my capacity limit, and also my strengths in engaging with the membership or benefactors of the volunteer experience.”

Dorcas says the most rewarding part of volunteering is being able to see the last impact of her efforts and the joy of being a part of something bigger than herself.

She has also grown her personal skillset based on the personal feedback she has received about how her efforts created meaningful change in student governance and also inspiring her peers to assume leadership roles on their own.

Dorcas credits her involvement at the university for fostering her leadership, philanthropy and stewardship abilities.

“I hope to find new and exciting ways of challenging my understanding, giving back to my community and enriching the experience of others,” she adds.