Chrisann Johnson
  • Social Work
  • Class of 2015
  • Bloomfield, CT

Eastern Student Chrisann Johnson Participates in People Helping People Club

2012 Jan 5

Chrisann Johnson, '15, of Bloomfield, CT is a member of People Helping People (PHP) at Eastern Connecticut State University. Johnson is majoring in Pre-Secondary Educ Certifictn.

It is the mission of People Helping People(PHP) to involve the students of Eastern Connecticut State University by directly engaging social issues which affect the local and global community while providing the opportunity to develop leadership and interpersonal skills. PHP regularly volunteers on campus and informs students on important social issues such as poverty, hunger and education.

PHP, alongside Eastern's Center for Community Engagement, helped organize a book drive that collected nearly 1,000 books for Windham school children. The organization also participated in Natchaug Elementary School's after school programs. PHP members provided assistance to Natchaug educators during field trips.

More than 30 percent of the full-time students enrolled at Eastern now participate in at least one club/organization–an increase of almost 10 percent since fall 2007. Students who participate in clubs/organizations excel in the classroom and do better academically than students who do not participate. In spring 2011, almost 1,200 students participating in clubs had an average GPA of 3.10, much higher than the 2.87 average for those students not taking part in any of the nearly 70 clubs/organizations.

Clubs/organizations planned and implemented almost 600 events last academic year. These programs have a direct impact on the daily life of all students on Eastern's campus. The programs range from social to educational, physical to spiritual, and civic engagement programs that equally affect the community.

Eastern Connecticut State University is part of the Connecticut State University System(CSUS) and is the state's public liberal arts university. Eastern serves more than 5,500students each year on its Willimantic campus.