N.C. A&T Staff Members Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (Jan. 22, 2020) – Sixteen North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) staff members spent part of their Friday volunteering with Greater Greensboro Habitat for Humanity, demonstrating the university’s commitment to community engagement.

Six CAE staff members worked in separate three-person shifts with other Habitat volunteers to replace a wheelchair ramp at Center Christian Church while the other CAE staff members worked at Habitat’s ReStore.

Cynthia Collins, Habitat’s volunteer services manager, said many N.C. A&T students regularly work with her organization to fulfill service learning hour requirements. The CAE staff members’ service day strengthens the relationship between Habitat and the university.

“For N.C. A&T to step up and say, ‘Yes, we need to do more to support the community,’ in events like this one speaks volumes about its students, staff and administrators,” Collins said.

For CAE’s Anjan Basu, Elizabeth Goodwin and Tanisha George, who worked on the church ramp project, the day was an opportunity to serve outside the classroom learn new skills, in addition to acquainting themselves with the community.

“I’ve never done construction work like this, but I have some experience from going on mission trips,” said Goodwin as she and George worked to dislodge rusted bolts from the old ramp’s handrail supports.

At the ReStore, CAE’s Torrey Burden, Dr. Dawn Nail and Deborah Williamson teamed up to sort molding and trim in the warehouse, which is stocked with items like paints and solvents, hardware, appliances, cabinetry and tile.

“It’s always good to give back to the community, which has been so supportive on A&T,” said Nail. “As a pillar of the community, we need to assist those who have assisted us.”

CAE staff members are the “boots on the ground for guiding the N.C. A&T academic experience,” said Bryle Henderson Hatch, Ph.D., the university’s executive director for community engagement. Through events like Friday’s service day, they set an example for students to become involved in the off-campus community.

Hatch said he hopes to replicate efforts like these for faculty and staff campus-wide.

“We are fortunate to work at a university that allows us to commit to this level of community service,” he said.