From the President: Learning by Serving

This story originally appeared in the Canes Corner section of the Americus Times-Recorder newspaper.

By Dr. Michelle Johnston

At Georgia Southwestern State University, we believe education is most powerful when it extends beyond the classroom. Service-learning is rooted in real-world experience, community engagement, and global awareness. It's not just an added benefit of a GSW education. It is central to who we are and how we prepare our students to lead meaningful lives.

Our students are learning concepts and applying them in ways that make a difference in communities both near and far. Through experiential learning opportunities, they are developing critical thinking skills, cultural competence, and a deep sense of purpose.

Recently, students from the President Jimmy Carter Leadership Program traveled to Florida to volunteer at Give Kids the World, a nonprofit organization that provides weeklong, cost-free vacations to children with critical illnesses and their families. There, our students served these families facing unimaginable challenges, helping create moments of joy and relief during difficult times. These experiences are truly transformative, reminding our students that leadership is grounded in empathy, compassion, and action. Through their service, they embodied what it means to lead by serving others.

Also this month, a group of students participated in a faculty-led study abroad program across France, Switzerland, and Italy. This academically grounded experience allowed them to earn course credit while engaging in structured learning before, during, and after their travels. Students immersed themselves in new cultures, exploring cities such as Paris, Geneva, Milan, and Florence. They examined the geography, history, and cultural dynamics of each region while engaging directly with local communities. As part of the program's service component, the group partnered with Serve the City Paris, a volunteer program that serves the community through action and kindness. Students prepared sandwiches and hygiene kits and distributed them to individuals in need on the streets of Paris. This intentional blend of academics and service deepened their global awareness and strengthened their understanding of how classroom learning connects to real-world impact.

These opportunities are not isolated moments. They are part of a broad commitment to experiential learning that continues throughout the year. In April, a group of nursing students will travel to Alabama to participate in disaster simulations at the Center for Domestic Preparedness. They will gain hands-on training in emergency response, practicing critical skills such as mass casualty triage, IV placement, wound care, and decontamination procedures while working in full personal protective equipment. Their successful completion of this training will earn them professional certifications, strengthening their readiness for the workforce.

In July, a group of our students and faculty will travel to China for an immersive educational visit focused on expanding their understanding of culture, history, and geography. Students will engage directly with peers at the Henan Institute for Science and Technology, fostering cross-cultural collaboration. These connections will broaden perspectives and build relationships that transcend borders.

What ties all these experiences together is a shared purpose: to prepare students not just for careers, but for lives of impact. Service-learning challenges students to step outside their comfort zones, see the world through different lenses, and fully embrace their ability to make a difference.

At GSW, we are proud to cultivate graduates who are not just knowledgeable, but also compassionate, adaptable, and globally minded. Our students are learning that leadership is not defined by titles, but by service. We believe that learning gained through hands-on and service experiences, built upon and integrated into their academic studies, will last a lifetime.

I am continually inspired by the way our students rise to these opportunities. They are not waiting to make an impact someday—they are doing it now.