Dr. Dresdner characterized NVCC students’ leadership roles in the community as making a real difference. She referenced examples such as NVCC Accounting students who became certified as volunteers with the Volunteer Tax Assistance Program (VITA), students who serve as Legislative interns and testify on behalf of the College with legislators, and students who perform service learning through their various academic programs. She also emphasized the ways in which staff and faculty engage with the community, including serving on multiple boards and, during the height of the pandemic, manufactured personal protective equipment (PPE) for the hospitals.  Dresdner also commented that the College looks forward to returning to helping on Sundays at St. Vincent de Paul’s soup kitchen.

Courtney Ligi, Membership & Business Development Director, Waterbury Regional Chamber, commented. "We are honored to be able to include Dr. Lisa Dresdner as a panelist for our Leadership Greater Waterbury program’s Education Day. Leadership Greater Waterbury (LGW) focuses on a variety of business topics within the greater Waterbury region, including a dedicated session for education as an important economic driver for the community.  Dr. Dresdner, as well as many other key educators in our community, participated to present the LGW students with a well-rounded display of the education opportunities available in our community, and the needs that must still be met in Waterbury region."

Leadership Greater Waterbury is a personal and career development program offered through the Waterbury Regional Chamber of Commerce.  The program creates lifelong partnerships and develops community awareness among future leaders in civic, professional, and community organizations in the Greater Waterbury area. Its goal is to provide a creative, interactive environment for the participants to meet regional leaders and discuss the challenges that affect this area. Students are exposed to multiple perspectives regarding Greater Waterbury’s challenges, opportunities, and assets. During the program they are encouraged to get involved in the Greater Waterbury region. Participants are introduced to regional leaders and facilitators from public, private, and nonprofit businesses as well as 300+ alumni. The Education Panel is one aspect of the program designed to introduce participants of the program to the challenges and opportunities in education throughout the area. In addition to Dr. Dresdner, speakers in the panel included Dr. William Pizzuto, Campus Director UConn Waterbury; Dr. Verna Ruffin, Superintendent of Waterbury Public Schools; Jeff Martin, Executive Director, Children's Community School Waterbury; and John Hopkins, CEO, Post University.