Lightning Strikes Twice

There is a belief that lightning never strikes twice in the same spot. But for Cathy Carr Zavacki ’99, it just may have.

“Life is a puzzle and experiences are the pieces, and sometimes they fit right away and sometimes they take a while to click,” said Zavacki. “The moment I stepped on campus, I felt everything click.”

Although Zavacki wasn’t deeply involved in campus life at Bloom, she says her professors, classmates and the connections she made with the broader education community wove a fabric of support that allowed her to enter the teaching profession with confidence.   Because of that preparation, Zavacki says she always had a desire to stay engaged.

“I felt very prepared because I had way more than content knowledge,” explained Zavacki. “Understanding chemistry is great, but articulating it to students is a completely different skill. Bloom knows when to reach out to broader community to give students real-world experience.”

Zavacki, whose parents and older brother are also Huskies, remembers seeing a request for volunteers for the first Collaborating to Assist Teacher Candidate Hiring (CATCH) Conference. She and her college roommate immediately volunteered. 

It was not a very good experience. A miscommunication left them without any roles at CATCH. 

“Bloom had still left such an enduring mark on who I am as a person,” recalled Zavacki. “So how can I help improve that?  How can I help be a voice?”

It was disheartening, but Zavacki continued to attend alumni socials near her home in the Lehigh Valley, and she wanted to help make the conference better. After speaking to an education professor involved in coordinating CATCH, Zavacki was invited back for a panel a few years later. That experience was wonderful, and she has returned every year since.

“I love the engagement of the students,” said Zavacki. “I love what bloom is doing to create support systems for teachers. I can be a professional resource for them regardless of where they end up, and they know they’re not alone.”  

Not long after she began volunteering at CATCH, Zavacki was approached to fill an open seat on the Bloomsburg Alumni Association Board of Directors. Zavacki said that being asked to help create a supportive campus community for her fellow Huskies felt like hitting the lottery. Another piece of the puzzle had clicked into place.

“No matter who you are or where you come from there is a place for you at Bloom, and I want that to continue for everybody,” explained Zavacki. “It’s a dream to take on a role with a variety of individuals across multiple fields and viewpoints who share the goal of creating a good transition for college students to confident professionals.”

While Zavacki’s love of Bloomsburg has obvious visible results in LinkedIn connections with students, mentoring collaborations, alumni events and programming, her enthusiasm also creates unseen ripple effects. As a classroom teacher of 11th grade students, next steps after high school are often the topic of conversation. Recently, two of her students surprised her with the news they had chosen Bloomsburg as their next step. 

“I didn’t know they applied,” recalled Zavacki. “They came to see me and said ‘We have great news for you- We’re going to Bloom!’."  

Zavacki says that every alum, regardless of class year, major, or career path has something to offer current students and fellow alumni.

“We all have the opportunity to bring our best in order to help others be their best,” Zavacki concluded. “Whatever the experience, whether positive or challenging, the wish is for the next person to have as good as or better an experience than you did. That is what makes communities better.”

Inspired to volunteer?  Let us know!