This past week, Hobart and William Smith Colleges was one of only four colleges to be recognized nationally for the President’s Award for Education Community Service. HWS was considered alongside 800 other colleges and universities. This was the fifth consecutive year that the colleges were honored for what is considered the highest federal recognition that a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.
Students at HWS are highly involved with service and civic engagement on campus and in the community. The colleges were specifically honored though, for their efforts in working with improving education in the community.
The Geneva 2020 initiative has been an effort to increase college opportunities for students in the Geneva City School District. President Gearan was one of 85 college presidents to share at the summit about localized commitments across the nation that are supporting college opportunity and access.
Geneva 2020 is an effort to advance the Geneva schools and build a stronger community between HWS and the town where it resides. Graduation rate, career and college readiness, and literacy has been identified as target areas that need to be improved in the Geneva City School District. The entire Geneva community, including non-profit organizations, businesses and individuals are working together in this important effort for young students in the community.
HWS students and community have made a major commitment to improving educational outcomes for children and youth in pre-kindergarten through undergraduate education.
Along with the Geneva 2020 initiative, many students volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club non-profit organization which pairs HWS students with youth in the area who attend programs. One program hosted by HWS students had 94 percent of youth advance to the next grade level after participating in a student run homework club.
Geneva Reads has also been a major effort sponsored by HWS students. As a part of the initiative, there has been an annual Community Read to help raise the level of literacy in people of all ages.
Students are working alongside community members to solve major problems and are achieving meaningful and measurable results for the communities that they are serving in.
Are you a student who wants to get involved in programs and initiatives like Geneva 2020, Boys and Girls Club of Geneva, and Geneva Reads? Check out: http://www.hws.edu/academics/service/