M.B.A. Student Volunteers at Special Olympics

Stamford, CT (7/8/2008) - Volunteerism and public service come naturally to Olivia Skiffington, for — as she puts it — "I definitely think it's important for people to give back to the community. Even if you don't have the money, there is no reason why people can't donate their time."

However, a unique trek halfway across the globe last fall, including introductions to everyone from the prime minister of Egypt to celebrities Vanessa Williams and Colin Farrell, provided Skiffington with an outreach opportunity that far exceeded anything she ever envisioned.

Skiffington, a student in UConn's M.B.A. program at UConn–Stamford, had the privilege of volunteering at the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games, held this past year in Shanghai, China. As an event planner and coordinator for the Honored Guests division, Skiffington made sure VIPs—including several international leaders, celebrities, and a host of donors—received appropriate credentials, transportation and accommodations. A self-described "Just Do It" person, Skiffington jumped at this unique opportunity.

"When I received an e-mail from the M.B.A. program office seeking volunteers for Special Olympics in China, I thought, 'You've got to be kidding me. What an opportunity!' First, I love to travel and experience new things. But also, this opportunity was with Special Olympics, and I thought, 'How cool is that? I've always been an athlete,'" says Skiffington.

Indeed, growing up in Costa Rica, she excelled in numerous sports. Skiffington traveled around Central America playing basketball (as team captain) and volleyball. "It's in my blood to be an athlete and to travel," she says.

Skiffington's passion for athletics and new experiences matches her passion for public service. In addition to regularly participating in area events like multiple sclerosis bike tours and serving as a motivational speaker for Annual Multicultural Business Youth Educational Services Embarkment (AMBYESE), she was recently lauded as Woman of the Year by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Fairfield County.

After arriving in Shanghai, Skiffington met David Gang, a generous UConn supporter who helped make her trip to China possible.

"I saw my Special Olympics supervisor, Kim Widdess, talking to someone in the corner of the room during the registration process, and she and this person were staring at me. They were watching me run around, making sure everything was going fine at registration. And I thought that something must be wrong," Skiffington explains.

On the contrary. Later, Widdess introduced Skiffington to Gang, or, as Widdess lovingly put it, "the reason you're here!" Gang's donation to UConn was to support someone with not only Skiffington's capabilities for making the Special Olympics Summer Games a success, but also for someone who wished to grow and expand her international knowledge and outreach. Gang and Skiffington had an opportunity to meet and further discuss Gang's commitment to the Special Olympics.

Thanks to the rich connections she forged from her Special Olympics experience, Skiffington now looks forward to working as an event planner with Beau Doherty, the Special Olympics director for Connecticut.

PHOTO: Olivia Skiffington at UConn Stamford

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