High Point University’s mission to provide students with an impactful, experiential education takes learning well beyond the walls of the classroom.
HPU juniors and seniors enrolled in “HRE 4220: Advanced Leadership and Team Development” recently completed four service projects in the Triad community. As part of the course, students designed and implemented an initiative that would allow them to develop their own leadership abilities, while making a difference in the lives of others.
The projects benefitted a variety of charities and organizations. Two groups hosted a canned food drive, assisting both West End Ministries and the Feed Their Legacy campaign. Other students hosted a percentage-based fundraiser at East Coast Wings to benefit the Arc of High Point. For the fourth community service project, students completed landscaping improvements along the High Point Greenway.
“What we enjoyed most about the project was that it involved more doing – actually applying our skills to the outside world rather than just reading about it,” says HPU junior Rebecca Baldinger, who served a meal and assisted with the canned food drive at West End Ministries. “This project has given us confidence to step out into the real world and truly impact society, the community and our environment.”
“While we can learn about theories of leadership from different texts, we can only truly understand them by seeing how the theories work in application,” says Andrew Realon, HPU adjunct professor of human relations. “I am excited the students have had this opportunity to experience what community leadership looks like in application.”
“It was great to work together for a positive outcome in our city of High Point,” adds HPU junior Ryan McGowan. “Having a direct contribution in bettering others is what life is all about. This was one small project, but when small projects are put together it can and will result in a great change for this city.”