Representatives from Elon University and the University of Redlands discussed programs that enrich relationships between universities and their surrounding communities. The session was held June 14 during the Associated New American Colleges (ANAC) Summer Institute. Details...
Leaders of the Elon Academy, a program for high school students in Alamance County, discussed the Academy’s mission and goals. The Elon Academy opens this summer, serving academically talented students who may not be considering college because of family or economic circumstances. Students will live on campus for four weeks and take classes in math, history and writing, as well as take field trips and participate in other enrichment activities.
Elon faculty member Deborah Long, who is spearheading the project, said the goal is to encourage students to pursue higher education, build leadership skills, and develop an active sense of social responsibility.
A video produced about the Elon Academy was shown during session, allowing viewers to share the moment the high school students were told they had been accepted into the Academy.
“This is the very beginning of their transformation,” Long said.
Representatives of the University of Redlands discussed the Community Service Activity program (CSAC). Community service is a graduation requirement at the university, and there are a number of ways students can fulfill the requirement. Through this program, students from the University of Redlands are helping the surrounding community.
Troy Mueller, director of community service learning at Redlands, said the program works with nearly every non-profit organization in the area. Students can choose to do service in their fields of interest, gaining insights that may help in their career development. Some of the programs involved with CSAC include America Reads, Habitat for Humanity, Gardeners in Residence, and the Big, Middle and Little Buddies program. Because of the emphasis on service at the University of Redlands, some graduates have gone on to work at the local nonprofit organizations.