Roane State college success course includes service learning

Virtually all Roane State Community College freshmen have to take the college success course titled COLS 1010: Study-Organize-Succeed (SOS), and it now includes eight hours of public service.

Two college officials have compiled more than 100 volunteer opportunities with agencies and nonprofit organizations in the Roane State service area, and they are available via the college’s website.

Go to www.roanestate.edu/servicelearning to learn more.

Proceeds from a $2,000 college grant were used to research those opportunities, which span 10 counties: Anderson, Roane, Knox, Blount, Fentress, Campbell, Cumberland, Scott, Loudon, and Morgan.

In Cumberland County, for instance, service projects include working in the thrift shop operated by the no-kill nonprofit animal rescue operation called A Time 4 Paws. The Bread of Life Rescue Mission in Crossville, as well as Habitat for Humanity of Cumberland County, also welcome volunteers.

Contact information for the nonprofits, including websites and phone numbers, is available on the website.

Over the summer, COLS 1010 Coordinator Nancy L. Hamilton and John N. Brown, associate professor of political science and service learning coordinator, compiled the list of nonprofits and service agencies.

“It’s a great opportunity for students to try out careers and to volunteer in areas where they may want to work,” Brown said.

Even if students aren’t taking the COLS 1010 course, the lists are “a good resource for volunteer opportunities,” he added.

Students, with college officials’ approval, can choose where to perform their public service work.

The COLS 1010 course has been described as a class “where students have the rare opportunity to examine their own motivations for and mindset about attending college.”

Roane State is a two-year college providing transfer programs, career-preparation programs and continuing education. Founded in 1971, the college has campuses in Crossville, Harriman, Huntsville, Jamestown, Knoxville, LaFollette, Lenoir City, Oak Ridge, and Wartburg.

For more information, visit roanestate.edu or call 1-866-GO2-RSCC (1-866-462-7722).

This press release was submitted by Owen Driskill.