Despite its challenges, the year 2020 brought a lot to celebrate. As we reflected on the past 12 months, we gathered together our favorite service stories from throughout the year.
We hope these positive stories of public service brighten your day and inspire you to stay connected with the Center. You can follow us on Twitter and Instagram, subscribe to our biweekly Public Service News email, and check back to our website for the most up-to-date information on our programs and other initiatives.
January
We co-hosted the first Connect, Engage, Transform Conference, in partnership with UNC Rural. More than 250 attendees gathered to learn about UNC-Chapel Hill partnerships in rural North Carolina.
February
We featured recipients of our new Service Partnership Mini-Grants, which help students form service partnerships with local community organizations.
March
Just before the pandemic brought stay-at-home orders to North Carolina, APPLES Alternative Spring Break participants traveled throughout North Carolina to learn from and serve with community organizations.
April
Adjusting quickly to the virtual format, we hosted the annual UNC Public Service Awards via Zoom.
May
APPLES student leaders worked quickly to shift money from the canceled anniversary celebration weekend to fund service work for students like Juhi Modi.
June
We announced our first class of SECU Public Fellows Interns, who worked with community organizations across rural NC throughout the summer. Meet a few of the 2020 interns:
…And get excited for the 2021 cohort, which will include up to 20 students!
July
APPLES summer internships persevered despite the challenges of the pandemic.
August
Our team finalized lessons from our Community Partner Survey. Key lessons include the importance of communication and commitment.
September
APPLES Service-Learning Initiative took place virtually, maintaining its core goal of introducing first-years to public service at Carolina.
October
Unc.edu featured Bryan Fellow Rida Bayraktar, who works to get more girls involved in STEM.
November
We collaborated with several other campus units to host a series of webinars that answered questions about the contentious election season and its aftermath.
December
Thorp Faculty Engaged Scholars Class VII graduated! Meet a few of the remarkable women in this class of Scholars:
Looking ahead
In spring 2021, CCPS is helping facilitate a new Experiential Education course. We’re also hosting a new webinar series on rural community partnerships inspired by the 2020 Connect, Engage, Transform Conference!