A Look at Strake Jesuit’s Alumni Service Corps Program

Strake Jesuit welcomed three graduates to this year’s Alumni Service Corps. Roberto Brunel and Jared Jimenez are graduates from the class of 2015, and Jack Pittenger graduated from Strake Jesuit in 2019. 

The Alumni Service Corps began in 2003 and was modeled after organizations such as the Peace Corps. The Alumni Service Corps is an annual program for two to four alumni who are recent college graduates who wish to spend a year in service to their high school alma mater. Alumni Service Corps members live in a Jesuit Community house on campus, observe a class taught by their faculty mentor, as well as teach one class. They also work on retreats, service projects, and are involved in a variety of athletic and extracurricular activities on campus.

Roberto Brunel received his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from the University of Saint Thomas and then went to Rome for Theological Studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University while attending the Pontifical North American seminary in Rome. After two years in Italy, Roberto will be teaching with the Theology team. 

Jared Jimenez is returning for his second years in the corps. He is a graduate of Houston Baptist University with a degree in Science in Kinesiology, Wellness Management, and a minor in Psychology. Jared will work with the Physical Education Department and assist with track and field and rugby.

Jack Pittenger graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Biomedical Sciences. He looks forward to teaching Anatomy and Physiology as well as coaching as he uses this year to prepare for medical school.

Anson Fung was part of the Alumni Service Corps during the 2019-2020 school year. He taught U.S. Government and Mandarin 1. Anson used the year to also study for the LSAT. He is currently finishing law school at the University of Chicago and was a summer associate at NortonRoseFulbright. Anson believes that the Alumni Service Corps helped his career.

He said, “The Alumni Service Corps program provides its members with tremendous opportunities for personal and professional skill development. I have become a better writer and critical thinker from grading papers and editing debate cases. Lecturing in the classroom has given me valuable public speaking experience. My interactions with parents have allowed me to develop my client relationship management skills.”

The Alumni Service Corps is another example of the long-term connections that are nurtured at Strake Jesuit between current students and its alumni network. Father Jeff Johnson, President, says, “The importance of this program is that the Alumni Service Corps volunteers get to know the school community from the perspective of an adult responsible for the formation and education of our students. This deepens their commitment to the school and their understanding of our mission. As they leave us after a year of service they will be even better advocates for Jesuit education on account of their two-fold experience of alumnus and educator.”

As a hallmark program at Strake Jesuit, the Alumni Service Corps is approaching its 20-year anniversary and continues to enrich and benefit the students and volunteers.