LaunchPAD eases back into community service

Volunteers from doctoral student organization help revamp pollinator garden at Reedy Creek headquarters.

Jose Alcaine, Ph.D. (far left) and Chris Parthemos (far right) joined more than 20 other volunteers at a service opportunity in James River Park.
Jose Alcaine, Ph.D. (far left) and Chris Parthemos (far right) posed with park rangers during a recent service project at James River Park. (Photo courtesy of Jose Alcaine)

A student and an affiliate faculty member from the VCU School of Education's LaunchPAD student organization joined more than 20 volunteers recently in a service project revamping the pollinator garden at Reedy Creek at the James River Park headquarters.

Chris Parthemos, a second-year student in the Ph.D. in Education, concentration in research, assessment and evaluation program, identified the service opportunity. He was joined on the project by Jose Alcaine, Ph.D., director of research services in the Office of Research and Faculty Development, and affiliate faculty in the Department of Foundations of Education.

Parthemos is a new officer in LaunchPAD, and Alcaine is the faculty advisor for the group. LaunchPAD helps doctoral students hone their publication and reviewing skills as they progress in their academic careers. The organization has a history of incorporating service activities into their annual programming.

Parthemos, Alcaine and other Reedy Creek volunteers were joined by James River park officials as they weeded, resoiled beds, landscaped a garden area of paths, and planted native plants found in the James River Basin area. Park officials will use the garden and paths to teach student groups and other park attendees about the value of native plants, pollinators and vegetation, as well as the benefit of keeping a vibrant and healthy ecosystem.

“It was great to see the garden area go from weed-filled beds to beautiful, cropped areas full of native plants and vegetation,” said Alcaine. “I can’t wait to go back and see the area as the vegetation takes hold. It was wonderful to be working with the soil and nature and hearing the James River behind you.”

Park officials are planning other service dates for the garden to include mulching the paths and newly planted beds. “Not a bad way to spend a Saturday morning,” Parthemos told park officials. “We’ll be back with more VCU people.”

For many years, LaunchPAD has participated in community service activities such as volunteering at local food pantries, painting and gardening at area schools, and working with community college students. During the pandemic, the group has been prevented from holding its usual programming events and activities.

“I hope we can resume more normal and sustained programming soon,” said Alcaine.

Previous LaunchPAD articles:

Chris Parthemos volunteers at Reedy Creek headquarters.
Chris Parthemos, a second-year student in the Ph.D. in Education, concentration in research, assessment and evaluation program, joined more than 20 volunteers who weeded, resoiled beds, landscaped a garden area of paths, and planted native plants found in the James River Basin area. (Photos courtesy of Jose Alcaine)