Incoming Georgia Southern students giving back to the community
BUILD Program also allows freshmen to get early jump on college life
BUILD Program also allows freshmen to get early jump on college life
BUILD Program also allows freshmen to get early jump on college life
Even though there are still almost three weeks before the start of classes at Georgia Southern University, that’s not stopping some incoming freshmen from getting a head start.
Not only are they getting a head start on their college career, but they’re helping the community in the process.
That’s just one of the incoming Georgia Southern freshmen giving up one of the final weeks of their summer vacation to help their soon-to-be community.
It’s all part of the BUILD program or Building Undergraduate Involvement in Leadership Development.
“It’s so special for our office," said Jodi Kennedy, director of Georgia Southern Leadership and Community Engagement. "We’ve been doing this program since 2006 and we really enjoy it. Not only does it give students an opportunity to get to know their peers before they come for classes, but it also really introduces them to the Statesboro community.”
The students say helping the community gives them a real sense of pride, but there’s an added benefit of making the transition to college life easier as well.
“It’s going to help a lot because we’re not going to be as nervous," said Laura Molina, an incoming freshman from Wayne County. "We’re going to be able to see a friendly face and know our surroundings, know where buildings are and be able to locate our classes without as much anxiety.”
“I’m really excited for this great group of freshmen coming in to be able to understand the campus," said Jeb Ivory, BUILD leader, Ga. Southern senior. "Navigate it and be able to lead the other students on campus while also maintaining that strong friendship they have.”
One of the groups benefitting from these Georgia Southern freshmen is Habitat for Humanity Bulloch County. The group says it needs all the help it can get to finish projects.
“Georgia Southern is by far our biggest source of volunteers our second largest source of volunteers is Ogeechee Technical College," said Marcus Toole of Habitat for Humanity Bulloch County. "So yeah we couldn’t do what we do without Georgia Southern and without these build students.”
A total of 50 incoming freshmen took part in the weeklong BUILD program which worked with 16 different agencies.