Every day I try to learn something, help someone and make our world a better place.
I鈥檝e turned to this motto as a guiding principle throughout both my personal and professional life. I鈥檓 hopeful higher education students from around the region will embody this purposeful phrase as well, many of them through a new program in which we are participating.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis is leading the #CaliforniansForAll College Corps community service program for the Sacramento Valley, which was announced last month by Governor Newsom. Along with our friends at Sacramento State, Woodland Community College and Sacramento City College, the Sacramento Valley consortium will manage a program that鈥檚 considered the largest state-level investment for a college service program in California history.
The Sacramento Valley consortium is receiving up to $16.1 million over two years to recruit and train about 1,000 students, who will then be matched with internships at community organizations. Each institution is making a concerted effort to reach low-income and undocumented students, which helps broaden opportunities and affordable access to attend college.
I鈥檓 not exaggerating when I say this is a game changer for Californians. Students can earn up to $10,000 for completing their community service over an academic year. In turn, the organizations benefit from the students鈥 talents and good work.
I鈥檝e seen firsthand the kind of personal impact that community service programs like these can make. One of my daughters worked as a volunteer for CityYear, a nonprofit that serves schools around the country and helps prepare students of all backgrounds for success. For young people looking to make a difference, experiences like these are deeply rewarding by instilling values of confidence, care for the community and leadership.
My parents encouraged me to be part of positive change and help uplift those around us. When I was at Georgia Tech, I tutored inner-city kids in math and served as a mentor. It was an opportunity for me to grow as a teacher and for the students to be empowered to succeed. It offered me the chance to have an impact and to know that I could contribute something of value to the community.
A better tomorrow
At 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis, serving the public is part of the mission of a public land-grant university. Through our research and academic enterprise, we are driven to create a better and more enlightened tomorrow. Our campus community works diligently to create a more sustainable future, to find new ways to feed a growing planet and protect the health of living beings.
In times of great need, I鈥檓 impressed with how quickly our 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis community jumps into action. As the pandemic emerged in 2020, we saw students and staff volunteering at the Aggie Compass Basic Needs Center, which distributes food to students in need. Other members of our 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis community worked with the Yolo Food Bank to deliver goods to seniors. During recent wildfires, we saw students banding together to organize donations and deliver needed goods to affected areas.
新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis has a solid history of contributing to public service. We鈥檙e one of the top universities that produces Peace Corps volunteers every year. Our students also participate in AmeriCorps, Teach for America and many other community-service experiences.
For those who participate in the new College Corps program, it鈥檚 a pathway to supporting and strengthening student success and equity. Students will develop leadership skills, including team-building, problem-solving and so much more that will last well beyond their college experience. They鈥檒l be connected to communities where they can make a difference. I know we鈥檒l have stories to share when the program gets underway in the fall.
4 years of 鈥楥丑补苍肠别濒濒-颈苍驳鈥
Before I close, I wanted to note that this month marks the fourth anniversary of the 鈥淐hancell-ing鈥 column. It started with reflections on starting my new life here in Davis and a funny mention of 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis in the Academy Award-nominated film Lady Bird. Since then, I鈥檝e used this space to converse about 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis and the city of Davis joining together in the fight against COVID-19, the benefits of living in a college town, the 鈥淎g-scension鈥 of 新澳门六合彩内幕信息 Davis athletics and so much more.
I鈥檝e appreciated connecting with the Davis community in this way, and I hope you have enjoyed hearing from me, too. See you here next month.