The Online Reflector

The University of Indianapolis Community Programs Center (CPC) held its Semi-Annual Expo and Celebration on Dec. 7.

The event showcased projects that students worked on during the semester for service learning courses.

It also featured guest speaker UIndy alumnus and Program Director for College Mentors for Kids (CMFK) Curtis Ward.

“It [the expo] is an opportunity to showcase service learning,” said Outreach and Student Affairs Coordinator of Community Programs Center Stephanie Sachs. “We wanted to add an L/P component and feature a speaker [Ward] with UIndy ties who shows an impact.”

From 11:30 a.m. to noon, the students exhibited their work in a science-fair setting. They created poster boards and stayed close to explain them to viewers as needed.

Many of the students who exhibited their work were enrolled in a service learning course or signed up for a service learning lab.

Service learning courses are offered by many majors, such as nursing, social work, finance and the arts.

After the expo, students had the option to attend a speech given by Ward for L/P credit. The speech contained information about Ward’s experience with CMFK during his time at UIndy.

As a student at UIndy, Ward participated in CMFK all four years and was eventually president of the UIndy chapter.

CMFK is a program that pairs local children, mostly from IPS 65 and 114, with student volunteers.

Student volunteers teach the children what it takes to get into college and what college life is like when they get there.

In Ward’s presentation, statistics say that 89 percent of participating children both want to attend college and admire their mentors.

The program was founded in 1995 by college students and exists today in three states: Indiana, Ohio and Illinois. Four metro area colleges participate: UIndy, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Marian University and Butler University.

According to Ward’s presentation, at UIndy 85 students volunteer for the program.

From the time Ward was a freshman at UIndy, he volunteered with the organization and set goals for his future in the program.

He aspired to become president and get a job with the organization after college, and he achieved both.

“One reason I am passionate about this [organization] is I can relate to the kids as a first generation college student,” Ward said.

Ward offered some thoughts and advice to students in his presentation. He said that volunteering teaches valuable life lessons, setting goals is important, serving others can change one’s life and that finding one’s passion is a must.

“This is the most important thing: find out what you’re passionate about,” Ward said.

CPC put on the expo to honor the impact service has had on the students and community, according to the expo program.

Service learning has many benefits, such as students being to go into the community and serve others while networking and learning at the same time.

“[Service learning] makes you feel good. But on the other side, there are so many professional opportunities,” Sachs said.

Students who can not find a major-based service learning project can take initiative to start one.

Sachs believes that university community members are obligated to serve the community surrounding UIndy.

“As a liberal arts institution, we have an obligation to make good people,” she said. “The people who will have a good impact on the world.”

Sachs has seen the effect that service has on students who not only learn to make an impact on the world, but also change to become better people.

“When they [students] stop and reflect, they realize that they have changed,” Sachs said.

The Service Learning Expo and the CPC presented not only what students did for class, but also showed the UIndy motto at work.

“The university’s motto is, ‘Education for Service,’  and the CPC is here for them,” Sachs said. “We would love to see more and more students get involved.”

Information about volunteer opportunities are available at the CPC office in Esch 155 or the CPC website at cpc.uindy.edu/programs/index.php.