A Lifetime of Advocacy

Amy Comperatore says that from the time she was a child, she was a natural advocate, always looking out for those in need and helping where she could. In middle school, she started a “Student of the Week” program for students in special education classes. Developing epilepsy just gave her more reason to fight for both her health and her passions. Amy attended Delaware Tech and after a few false starts, found her calling in the Criminal Justice program. She continued on to get her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and has nearly completed a Master’s degree as well.

Amy has used her degrees and passion for advocacy to found the Downtown Neighborhood Association in Erie, PA where she lives. The group improves the downtown area by focusing on improving security. She also works with the Erie City Council, redoing outdated ordinances in order to decrease criminality in the city. She is also a liaison with the Erie Metropolitan Transit Authority, helping with legal research and charter issues. Her diverse Delaware Tech degree helps her to accomplish these goals, she says. She notes that Delaware Tech became her second family and she appreciated the smaller class sizes and the ability to have one-on-one conversations and develop relationships with her instructors. “This leading by example helped install in me the virtue of taking time with others to produce quality work,” she says. “Delaware Tech helped forge my character into the woman and advocate that I am today.”