Rollins-teer Service Learning Program

Connecting public health students with Atlanta communities of need

As a part of RSPH Fall Orientation, each incoming student participates in a morning of service around metro Atlanta. On this day, students work with local charities that focus on poverty, homelessness, refugees and immigrants, distribution of medical supplies and services, chronic disease, environmental conservation and more. This provides a great start to each new academic year!

The program is a natural fit for Rollins, where students traditionally have huge hearts for service. It gives students the opportunity to connect to the community right away to experience aspects of their field that may not be apparent in traditional coursework. "Public health is just as much about the social justice as it is about health and wellness," says Kristin Unzicker, director of leadership and community engaged learning, and innovator for the Rollins-teer Service Learning Program.

The Rollins-teer Service Learning program was included as one of the innovative and effective community service and service-learning programs at Emory Univeristy reconized by the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. The Honor Roll's Presidential Award, given each year to only a handful of institutions, is the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement.

Each year, 500+ volunteers continue the legacy of Rollins-teer Day to provide the opportunity for students, staff and faculty to work with  at least 25 local charities and organizations.  Volunteers prepare meals for people living with HIV/AIDS, repaired  senior citizens' homes, prepared dozens of boxes of medical supplies to be shipped to clinics serving the poor around the world, cleaned up streams and parks, and more.  

For more information on the Rollins-teer Day of Service and to view pictures, please visit the sharesite at: http://rteer2010.shutterfly.com/

The Service Learning program continues to expand each year to incorporate more public health organizations and a much more apparent learning component in service activities. During Rollins-teer Day, incoming students divide into project teams with each team led by a 2nd year student and a Rollins staff or faculty member to foster interaction across classes and to deepen reflection about the activities. Additionally, the Rollins-teer Service Learning Program now provides increased support and infrastructure for students interested in continuing community service activities during the academic year. Additional support is also available for faculty who would like to include a community engaged learning component into their courses.

Incoming students can register for the 2012 Rollins-teer Day of Service at: http://cfusion.sph.emory.edu/volunteer/index.cfm

To see a list of the 2012 Rollins-teer Day Site Descriptions, click here.

For more information or to get involved with ongoing Rollins-teer activities please contact: