top of page
About Us
Raising Education Awareness through Compassion and Humanity (REACH) Alternative Breaks' mission is to provide the CNU community an opportunity for students to participate in service trips during academic breaks in local and regional communities. REACH Alternative Breaks strives to promote active citizenship by engaging in social justice topics through service, education, and reflection.
Historically, REACH Alternative Breaks has offered trips during Fall and Spring Break. Some of the social issues we've worked with in the past include youth development, housing and food insecurity, animal welfare, and immigration. We have traveled to South Carolina, North Carolina, West Virginia, Maryland, and stayed locally within Virginia. Our trips focuses and locations change yearly - so stay tuned!
I am a Senior from King George, VA double majoring in Cellular, Molecular, and Physiological Biology and Biochemistry. I am the current President of REACH Alternative Breaks. Last year I served as the VP of Finance, and the year before that I led a spring break trip to Mid-Atlantic Border Collie Rescue (MABCR). My favorite memory of that trip was at the end of the week the owner of the farm bought two trees for us to plant on the property to serve as a permanent reminder of the impact that our particular group had on her that week. REACH has given me one of the most genuine, selfless, and fulfilling experiences I’ve had at CNU because of the people who chose to spend their spring break serving others and building relationships. In my free time, my hobbies consist of fishing, hiking, and drawing.
President
Lilja Matherly
I am a Senior from South Riding, Virginia majoring in English with a Leadership Studies minor. On campus, I am involved in Greek Life, the LAUNCH Peer Mentoring, and the Alice F. Randall Writing Center! Throughout my journey with REACH, I have been a participant and trip leader, and I now serve as the Vice President of Trip Leader Relations. I have truly loved the friendships that have flourished from my trips to Greenville & Wilmington, and I am so excited for what lies ahead this year!
Vice President of Trip Leader Relations
Sarah Newell
I am a Senior from Richmond, VA majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Leadership. I am the VP of Participant Relations for REACH Alternative Breaks, as well as a brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon, a Resident Assistant, a participant of Undergraduate Research, and I am on Student Honor Council. I went to Greenville in 2018 and lead the trip to Greenville the following spring in 2019.
Vice President of Participant Relations
Diamonte Jones
I am a Junior majoring in Environmental Biology and minoring in Chemistry and Leadership. I went to Chestertown, MD to work with MABCR in 2018, then led the trip to MABCR the next year. I am the VP of Finance for REACH Alternative Breaks, a Field Technician for the Center for Wetland Conservation, the VP of the Biology Club, the Recorder for the Chemical Honor Society (ΑΧΣ), as well as a member of the Biological Honor Society (BBB).
Vice President of Financial Operations
Lucas Sharrett
I am a Junior from Burke, VA majoring in Information Science. I am the VP of Operations for REACH Alternative Breaks and a brother of the national service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega. I have been involved with REACH since I began my journey at CNU. I went to James River State Park in the spring of 2019 and I led the same trip in the fall of 2019. I love doing service for the community through REACH.
Vice President of Operations
Zayn Khurshid
Meet Our Team
Anchor 1
bottom of page