Founding Member Of
The Opera Theater of Lakeland
(2008 - 2009)
Dr. Valente was hired to identify and fulfill the educational goals of the Opera Theater of Lakeland. The Educational Outreach Program she created was multifaceted and included building collaborative relationships with the music and drama teachers in the Polk County school district; writing, producing and coordinating programs designed to introduce students (grades 5 - 12) to opera; advertising and organizing dress rehearsals for students and seniors; and creating programs that introduced students to the many facets of opera. These programs were performed at traditional middle schools, Fine Arts High Schools, and Title I elementary schools.
She also served the opera company by organizing local auditions, participating in plenary sessions for fundraisers and future productions, coordinating a successful Toys for Tots drive, and performing on fund-raising concerts and on stage during the season.
Lane Center for Community Engagement and Service
Wesleyan College (2002 - 2005)
Founding Member of Board of Directors
The Lane Center initiates community leadership development and coordinates projects, such as nationally recognized Aunt Maggie's Kitchen Table, The William and Ellen Craft Saturday School, Wesleyan Volunteers for Literacy, Habitat for Humanity, WOW Days for Macon, numerous conferences about women's health, and a community immersion experience for our first year students. Service is a vital part of Wesleyan's curriculum, a requirement fully integrated into the classroom experience.
While serving on the Wesleyan College faculty, Dr. Valente created the Professional Women's Clothes Closet, created to help women look their best as they transition to the workforce and prepare for job interviews or important meetings. Wesleyan students and members of the community were trained in accepting donations and assisting women from the community seeking assistance.