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Honors Program

Community Engagement Overview

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This presentation will cover:

  • Purpose of the community engagement
  • HNR 101 and Non-HNR 101 student participation
  • Selecting community engagement opportunities
  • Successfully completing your hours
  • Above and beyond recognition

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COMPETITIVE EDGE

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Advanced Skills:

  • Communication
  • Leadership
  • Research
  • Critical Thinking
  • Teamwork

Experience & Opportunities:

  • Professional Portfolio
  • Visit Transfer Institutions
  • Career Exploration
  • Impact your community
  • Study Away

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Recognition

  • Official Transcript
  • Awards/Certificates
  • Commencent

Job

Scholarship

Transfer

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Why Community Engagement?

  • It’s an American value - strong democracy

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  • Opportunity to connect your learning to real world application

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  • Practice stepping out of your comfort zone

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  • Build upon your professional and personal responsibility skills

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  • Personal fulfillment and empathy skills

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  • Expand your network

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HNR 101 Students

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    • All HNR 101 students participate in Community Engagement Week (CEW)
    • The 5th Week of the semester
    • Complete 4-hours of volunteering
    • HNR 101 often has an assignment tied to your volunteer experience

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Non-HNR 101 students

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    • May complete 4-hours at any point during both the Fall and Winter semesters

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Selecting Volunteer Opportunities

Tips/Strategies

  • Plan ahead, begin researching opportunities
  • Some organizations may require a brief application
  • Tailor opportunities to your major and/or career interests
  • Virtual or In-person
  • Must total 4-hours
  • Can be completed over multiple days and/or at multiple organizations
  • Take photos

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Finding Volunteer Opportunities

  • Heart of West Michigan United Way (over 130) - search
  • List of Common Volunteer Opportunities - view
  • Examples of past honors students 2020, 2021, 2022
  • Kids Food Basket Bag Decoration (20 bags)

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Successfully completing your hours

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Submit the Reflection Form - link

  • Must upload a picture of you completing your volunteer activity.

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Community Engagement Leadership Certificate

  • Coordinate/facilitate at least (1) group volunteer activity.
    • Must be no less than 4-hours.
    • Must have a minimum of (10) GRCC student volunteers (preferably honors students).

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  • The volunteer activity may be completed in any semester (Fall, Winter or Summer).

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Community Engagement “Above and Beyond” Certificate

  • Volunteer a minimum of 20-hours in two consecutive semesters, a total of 40-hours.
    • Fall/Winter, Winter/Summer, Summer/Fall, etc.

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Professionalism/Personal Responsibility

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Being mindful of your habits, personality traits, attitude, and abilities that will positively affect your performance.

  • Checking and responding to emails
  • Planning ahead
  • Meeting deadlines
  • Virtual and in-person classroom etiquette
  • Commitment to attending and participating in events
  • Making an effort to represent the best version of yourself

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NEXT STEPS

Contact Information

Email: mschavey@grcc.edu

Text: (616) 236-5343

  1. Research your volunteer opportunities.
    1. May need to submit an application
    2. Familiarize yourself with the location and driving directions

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  • HNR 101 students complete hours during Community Engagement Week (CEW).

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  • Take photos of your volunteer activity

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  • Submit the reflection form