It’s time to continue our community engagement efforts in 2017! Here is a short recap of the Fall 2016 semester, and a look ahead at how to make a difference this year.
A Look Back at 2016
From serving on a huge scale alongside our Springfield community to traveling many miles to learn and serve with other community leaders, Missouri State students had a lot to be proud of in Fall 2016. Following a service model of Educate, Engage, Reflect, students participated in local events like Into the Streets, Meals A Million, GEP Day of Service, Stomp Out Hunger, and Bear Blitz. As active participants of these programs, students learned about community agencies (learning partners) and about the key issues faced in our community. They also engaged in meaningful and direct service before reflecting through critical thinking exercises. If you would like to take an active role in leading one of these events, please come to the Center for Community Engagement, or check out Bear Service Team!
Bear Breaks also made great strides in 2016 with their Immersion Trips! 20 students traveled to Kansas City and St. Louis in the Fall to focus on Health and Wellness and Food Insecurity. These groups worked alongside community leaders, and brought back knowledge of active citizenship and community building to Springfield! Pop the College Bubble. Be Fully Present. Spread the Love. This, the motto of Bear Breaks took shape last week, as students served in Costa Rica, working alongside coffee farmers to learn about sustainability, Eco-agriculture, and community building. During this week, students blogged about their experiences at blogs.missouristate.edu/immersion and will be discussing creating change in our local community!
Get Involved this Semester!
As this semester begins, you might be thinking about how you can learn more about community engagement efforts. Here is a short list of ways you can be a part of the fun:
- Participate in MLK Service Day 2017 -This event will be held on Jan. 21, beginning at 8a.m. in Hill Hall 001. Go here to register
- Come to a Bear Service Team meeting! The Bear Service team is dedicated to learning and serving alongside the community.
- Find a local service project by joining the Missouri State University Give Pulse page.
- Subscribe to our weekly Community Opportunities Newsletter to stay in the know bout community engagement.
- Check out Bear Breaks Immersion Trips! If you like to travel and serve, these are great learning experiences!
- Get involved with the MSU Food Pantry! This resource is open every Monday and Wednesday from 4-6p.m.
Stop by the Center for Community Engagement in PSU 131 to learn talk with us about how you would like to get involved and make a difference. Have a great semester!