Students looking to offset tuition costs can begin applying to work with the University of Mississippi College Corps to benefit the local community next academic year.
Members who serve 300 hours throughout the year are awarded with a minimum-time Segal Education Award of $1,200 from AmeriCorps.
College Corps is a community-based AmeriCorps program that connects students to volunteer opportunities targeting food securities and educational literacy in the Oxford community.
Sarah Smitherman, coordinator of College Corps, said there are 72 slots available this year, and the number has progressed over the past three years.
“We started out with 40 volunteer slots,” Smitherman said. “Each year we’ve increased our number due to both a growing need in the community for volunteers and a growing desire by students to serve in their community.”
Smitherman said she expects the number of available slots to grow as the program continues.
There are 12 different sites in which students can get involved. Among those are the Boys and Girls Club, Leap Frog Tutoring Center, More than a Meal and Della Davidson Elementary School.
“We have formed these partnerships largely due to their need for consistent volunteers throughout the school year,” Smitherman said.
Senior marketing major Farrah Thames is involved with College Corps at the Della Davidson site. Thames said she generally works seven to 10 hours a week.
“It’s just so rewarding,” Thames said. “Getting to watch (the kids) grow and leave with more self-confidence than they walked in with that morning.”
Junior biology major Amanda Hoskins also works at the Della Davidson site. She said she enjoys being able to see the children grow as well.
“The kids are really excited to see you,” Hoskins said. “So, you forget about how tired you are or that test you probably failed that morning. As soon as you get here, it brightens your day.”
“We are looking for members who show a strong interest and commitment to service, and who are interested in our goal of fighting poverty in Mississippi through education and food security,” Smitherman said.
For more information on how to get involved or to fill out an application, students can visit the UM College Corps website at collegecorps.olemiss.edu.
Applicants will go through an interview process, must be able to pass various background checks and go through training to help prepare them to volunteer at their chosen sites.
— Randall Haley
rlhaley@go.olemiss.edu
