Millsaps College has been named to the second annual President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll in recognition of the college’s effective community service and service-learning programs.
“Millsaps students recognize that service to others is part of a well-balanced life and the college encourages this through our programs that match students’ interests with needs in the community,” said Millsaps College President Frances Lucas.
The presidential honor roll is the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.
“Service-learning is a win-win situation. Our students and faculty get to test out their classroom learning in real world laboratories—to apply what they’re learning in the texts, they’re reading and the discussions they’re having to real world challenges. In essence, they get to see what difference their education might make in the world around them,” said Darby Ray, professor of religious studies and director of the Faith & Work Initiative.
Millsaps College has several teams and initiatives that focus on creating volunteer opportunities for students in the community. The student-led Campus Ministry Team coordinates community service opportunities with local agencies and organizes yearly service trips for Hurricane Relief and to the Mississippi Delta.
The Faith & Work Initiative coordinates service-learning activities between academic classes and K-12 education as well as the North Midtown neighborhood just west of the college. Recent projects include piano majors teaching piano to low income children at an after school program; Spanish and Pre-Calculus students tutoring in local elementary and high schools; and Software Engineering students designing computer software to teach language, reading and math skills to pre-kindergarten and kindergarten children.
The College’s 1 Campus, 1 Community program channels the College’s diverse community service efforts in two strategic directions: K-12 public education and the North Midtown area.
Millsaps College also has ongoing partnerships with local organizations including Operation Shoestring, the Bethlehem Center and Stewpot; Gleaners, a feeding organization; Grace House, a home for people with AIDS; and Good Samaritan, a social service agency that addresses many needs.
The Honor Roll is sponsored by the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, USA Freedom Corps, Campus Compact, and the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. This year, 528 colleges and universities appeared on the list.
