At a glance
A total of 16 projects took place in five areas this year – Alfred, Almond, Belmont, Hornell, and Wellsville. The projects ranged from exterior and interior painting at Hornell Area Concern for Youth, to moving and organizing book collections at the David A. Howe Public Library, to screen printing with the Alfred Farmers Market, and more.
to the outside of the Hornell Salvation Army as part of
Community Action Day.
While getting acclimated to new people, surroundings, and class schedules can take some time, getting involved in the nearby community is instantaneous each year for dozens of new Alfred State students.
This year, a total of 100 incoming Pioneers took part in Community Action Day, the annual day of service that takes place during the college’s Week of Welcome, in which new students engage in a number of local community service projects.
A total of 16 projects took place in five areas this year – Alfred, Almond, Belmont, Hornell, and Wellsville. The projects ranged from exterior and interior painting at Hornell Area Concern for Youth, to moving and organizing book collections at the David A. Howe Public Library, to screen printing with the Alfred Farmers Market, and more.
“Community Action Day is a great way for incoming first year students to make new friends, get to know their community, and make a difference locally,” said Jonathan Hilsher, director of the Center for Civic Engagement at Alfred State.
Civic engagement is a key focus at Alfred State, with students, faculty, and staff taking part in days of service such as Celebrate Service Celebrate Allegany and Spring Into Action, and volunteering out-of-state and around the globe.
The number of service hours contributed by Alfred State’s students has seen significant increases in recent years. Through internships, clinical treatments, and volunteering, the number of service hours has surpassed 80,000 per school year.