|
Leadership, Community
Service Get A Boost at UNCP
 Melanie
R. Clark has been hired as the first full-time director of UNC Pembroke's
Leadership and Community Service Program.
Ms. Clark is responsible
for leadership and community service programs, including assisting with
the Distinguished Speaker Series. Additionally, she will work to integrate
service learning into the university curriculum.
She was the coordinator
of service-learning programs at Purdue University prior to accepting
a position with UNCP.
"When students
participate in service learning, it opens their eyes to the larger world
outside of academia," Ms. Clark said. "Service learning brings
communities and students closer together and empowers them with the
ability to serve their communities in positive ways."
Ms. Clark will work
with Abdul Ghaffar, director of Student Activities.
"We're very
proud of our growing three-year-old Leadership and Community Service
program," Mr. Ghaffar said. "Melanie has a great interest
and background in the development of service-learning programs, and
we think she will be an outstanding addition to our staff, our university
and our community."
The Leadership and
Service Opportunities Program (LSOP) coordinates student volunteers,
community service projects and leadership training programs. Students
who meet the requirements of the program are awarded a special sash
to be worn with their regalia at commencement, and they create a permanent
transcript of their accomplishments.
Chancellor Allen
C. Meadors said UNCP's leadership programs are playing an important
role on campus for students.
"The opportunity
for community service and for the development of leadership skills are
important part of the college experience," Chancellor Meadors said.
"This program benefits our students, and it brings the university
and its surrounding communities closer together."
"The Distinguished
Speaker Series has been very successful in exposing our students and
the community to a variety world-class leaders," Chancellor Meadors
said. "It is appropriate and advantageous to put this series under
the Leadership and Community Service Program.
An Indiana native,
Ms. Clark received her undergraduate degree from Depauw University and
a Master's of Social Work from the University of Denver.
She has worked as
a tutor, case manager, counselor and development coordinator in a variety
of youth programs. Ms. Clark also developed and coordinated service-learning
programs for the Catholic Charities of Denver, Colo.
Ms. Clark has enjoyed
her immersion into university life.
"I am very
impressed by how friendly everyone is at UNCP," she said. "What
they say about Southern hospitality is true."
"This is a
great opportunity for me to develop service-learning programs and to
help bring the university and community closer together," Ms. Clark
said. "I appreciate the diversity of the student population on
this campus and the varied experiences the students have to offer."
Return
to University Newswire
|