This semester, 17 students are participating in the COB’s first Alternative Spring Break.  Open only to COB majors, the spring break trip is part of a three-credit-hour course, MGT 400, taught by Kathy Nordyke, MSU Director of Citizenship and Service Learning.

The course, Topics in Management, is designed to give students a chance to get out of the classroom and get hands-on experience in civic leadership by taking part in a service-learning project. “Students involved in alternative service-learning spring break experiences have the opportunity to serve a community for a condensed period of time where they work together to make a difference.  Additionally, students will be provided with the opportunity to serve on a national basis in a capacity that they would not have exposure to in Springfield,” Nordyke says.

Dean Stephanie Bryant came up with the idea for the course.  “Having participated in several alternative spring break experiences at James Madison University, I see the value in this experience and want that for our MSU students as well,” Bryant says.  Participating students will travel to Stone Mountain, Ga., over spring break to volunteer with Refugee Family Services, which helps children from countries such as Afghanistan, Bosnia, Vietnam, Sudan and Somalia with resettlement issues. With Nordyke’s leadership, the students will act as mentors and tutors, provide computer learning opportunities, lead outdoor recreation and take part in a host of other activities designed to ease the children’s transition to living in a new country.

Bryant and Nordyke worked closely while developing this course to find the most relevant service-learning opportunities for business students.  The Refugee Family Services organization was selected because it is located near the area where “Outcasts Unlimited,” a book selected as MSU’s 2012 common reader, took place.  “Outcasts United” tells the story of a town, a refugee youth boys soccer team and the team’s unique coach, Luma Mufleh.  For more information on this book see “On the Bookshelf” in this issue.

After the trip, we will bring you an update including pictures and experiences from the students.  Watch for a follow-up later this spring.