By Tiffeny Fields
Features Editor

UNCP’s pilot service-learning project, sponsored by the Leadership and Service Opportunities Program, got underway Feb. 4 at Pembroke Elementary School, after being postponed on Jan. 28 because of the ice storm earlier that week.

The program, which consists of two components - volunteer service and reflection - will be more than just tutoring. It will be a structured program for the students, according to Director of Leadership and Community Service Melanie Clark.

“Students would be able to integrate theory from books through practical applications through service to meet a community need,” Clark said.

Seven UNCP students attended Wednesday’s orientation session at Pembroke Elementary School, including freshman Megan Grimsley who was instrumental in helping to get the program off the ground.

Grimsley’s input and interest in working with kids helped with the start of the project.

“I was wanting to expand my horizons and have the ability to get involved on campus,” Grimsley said.

Some students decided to participate in the program to further their education. Senior social work major Debbie Wrinkle is an intern for Melanie Clark.

“I’m hoping to take some professional development from the reflection portion. It will help me be a better social worker,” Wrinkle said.

Student volunteers will work with the kids at the elementary school every Wednesday afternoon from 2:30-3:30 p.m., assisting them with homework, as well as mentoring them. The reflection component of the program will be held in the U.C. Thursday afternoons from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

Clark hopes to expand the program next fall by having five professors integrate the project into their class curriculum.

“I hope to grow it next year and include more service projects,” Clark said.

Students in the Honors College and Teaching Fellows are required to complete one year of volunteer service through LSOP, but the service-learning project is open to anyone.

The annual LSOP Awards Brunch will be held on April 21 in the U.C. to recognize those students that fulfilled the minimum number of community service hours required for their class. Also, those students that decided to volunteer without becoming part of LSOP will be recognized.