Professional Partner of the Month: Joan Capolupo
"Villanova is tremendously proud of the work Joan has done in mentoring students. She provides for the students an excellent role model as they strive to become leaders filled with the spirit of service."
- Thomas Morgan, Director of Student Development, Villanova University
"Joan cares so much about the children who attend our Friend Program. She is constantly thinking of new ways to improve the program and educate the Young Friends about the potential they have for success as they grow."
- Leigha Galgan, Program Director, The Second Mile
"Joan makes an impact and a difference. Her work and dedication to The Second Mile is seen year after year with the Villanova University involvement and commitment to the program."
- Christine Quisenberry, Assistant to the President for Events, Villanova University
"Joan Capolupo has been going the extra mile for young people for many years. Joining The Second Mile effort in 2004, Joan has now been going the distance for children and families within this agency's realm for almost six years now, and The Second Mile is very thankful! Because of her effort, commitment, and effectiveness in positively impacting so many people in southeastern Pennsylvania, The Second Mile is proud to recognize Joan Capolupo as its Professional Partner of the Month!
For over 30 years Joan has been working with students as a teacher, school counselor, private counselor, drug and alcohol intervention trainer, university instructor, and faculty advisor. She has been the initiator of several student service organizations at Villanova University. Her efforts led to the active participation of students in the Villanova University College Friend Program, which serves children from Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties. This undertaking is part of the Villanova Chapter of the National Honor Society for Human Services, which she also founded. Joan says, "The Second Mile is one of the major endeavors of the Organization of Human Services. The students, the university and I all enjoy seeing and working with the children each month."
Her high school yearbook presents her motto from back in the day, "Live, Love, Laugh and Be Happy Always." She still holds to that motto; however, she has added a second one after surviving breast cancer: "Murphy's Law can't get you if you just keep on going." And Joan does keep on going – full speed ahead!
Thomas Morgan, Director of Student Development at Villanova University notes:
| | "Joan takes a great deal of pride in the impact The Second Mile has had on the students of Villanova and, at the same time, the impact Villanova has had on The Second Mile. Joan was tremendously proud of the Celebration of Excellence Award which Villanova received in 2006." |
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Christine Quisenberry, Assistant to the President for Events, Villanova University, corroborates the influence that Mrs. Capolupo has had on Villanova students as they are inspired and motivated into getting involved and helping others. She cites the fact that many of her students participate in the annual Relay for Life, an all night walk that benefits The American Cancer Society, and that they've been extremely active in this effort for the past five years as a tribute to Joan, their advisor. As Joan "keeps on going," her students seem to be following her lead as they "keep on going" with her.
Clearly, Joan has a passion for people, and for helping and inspiring them to reach for their potential. In the case of Villanova students, it would be evident to anyone who saw her at a Second Mile Friend event, interacting with the collegiate volunteers, just how much she loves working with them. What inspires her in this work with young adults? In her own words, she inspired by "helping them to fulfill their goals and just in watching them develop and grow! It's an honor to be part of what they will become...they are remarkable human beings!"
As hard as Joan works for youth, she takes pleasure keeping after her three adopted Korean babies, now teenagers, and in gardening, entertaining friends, working with high school bands (her husband is a school superintendent), and spending time with their golden retriever.
The fact that Joan does so much under The Second Mile umbrella is especially remarkable when one considers her other "outside commitments." She also works with the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, St. Isaac Jogues Roman Catholic Church (Family Life Committee), Chester County Department of CYS (Children, Youth and Families) Advisory Board, and Valley Forge Elementary/Middle Schools Partnership with Valley Forge National Historical Park (Chair).
We can come to understand Joan's commitment to "keep on going" a little better from her description of the challenges young folks face today:
| | "As an educator, the challenges are always how best to help students to maximize their potential and execute plans that lead to the best future they can have. There is no such thing as a ‘normal' student or family in today's world. Not many people escape without some kind of difficulty or concerns. The job of a good educator is to help students to work through those issues whether they are personal, familial, cultural or environmental, and help them to find appropriate coping skills to meet their own needs." |
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Joan Capolupo has undoubtedly been role modeling her own definition of a good educator, helping Villanova students in various ways while also helping to strengthen the southeastern Pennsylvania community. The Second Mile thanks and salutes her for her commitment to excellence!
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