8.1MB - College of Education - Auburn University

S t u d e n t S u c c e s s
Students raising ‘voices,’ money, awareness
to benefit local communities, schools
It was once said that, “Children will not remember you for the
material things you provided but for the feeling that you cherished
them.” AuburnVoices is allowing College of Education students to
do both.
The overall mission of AuburnVoices is “to provide a way for
students in the College of Education to be involved in advocacy and
student leadership throughout the community and in schools.”
The organization represents a vision shared by Drs. Lynne
Patrick, Kathy Robinson, Peggy Dagley and the program’s director,
Jamie Carney. It began in an attempt to give structure and framework
to student groups seeking resources and opportunities for volunteer
work. However, AuburnVoices has grown to do much more.
Through the promotion of leadership and educational advocacy,
the organization not only prepares future educators, but also seeks
to make a lasting impact on a diverse group of students, including
those with special needs.
The concept is simple.
The program functions as
a “hub,” where different
project requests for at-risk
schools can be found —
most readily through the
program’s website. An
organization or individual
can then contact Auburn-
Voices, which then serves as the “vehicle” in providing the funding
and support needed to complete the task. Eric Crumley, the graduate
program assistant for AuburnVoices, serves as a liaison between
the college’s student organizations and those they support.
Last year, AuburnVoices took on several projects, including a
very successful musical instrument drive. It also sponsored more
than 12 teacher request projects, participated in funding grant
opportunities, and worked with multiple College of Education
student organizations in sponsoring projects and fulfilling resource
requests. Among the contributors are the College of Education’s
Student Council, the Association of Counseling Psychology Students,
the Student Alabama Education Association and Iota Delta
Sigma.
Funding, however, is never the easy part.
AuburnVoices receives its funding from an array of sources,
including private donations, student organizations, people within
the community and grants. Carney notes that even the smallest
contributions can be helpful — anything from a ream of paper to an
ink cartridge to even a few rolls of toilet paper.
Carney credits the college’s National Advisory Council for its
support of the program (see related story, page 46).
In addition to the opportunities for activities and student
advocacy, AuburnVoices also provides information for grant training
and leadership development, often in the form of on-campus
conferences hosted by other organizations. The Center for Student
Leadership and Ethics, a program dedicated to leadership development,
serves as one example.
While all of the training and experience is immensely beneficial
for students, most find that the biggest reward of working with
these schools is being able to see results and witness the impact of
their work. AuburnVoices provides what Carney calls a “real link”
between students and the kids with whom they work. They aren’t
just making donations to an otherwise nameless stranger; they are
serving the child in front of them, full of wonder, joy and gratitude.
“Contact with the children is by far the biggest reward,” said
Carney, professor and coordinator of the college’s counselor education
and supervision doctoral program.
As director, Carney gets to see these positive effects happen
on two levels — both with College of Education students and the
students they assist.
These benefits already transcend campus boundaries, with numerous
activities having taken place at Notasulga K-12 and a future
project scheduled for Carver Elementary School in Opelika. Carney
said AuburnVoices hopes to expand its presence statewide.
“The situation in schools is worse than even a year ago, and it’s
getting progressively worse,” Carney said of budget woes.
This startling truth calls for action, and AuburnVoices is
dedicated to helping students and educators who are committed to
taking it — no matter the cost.
Learn more about AuburnVoices
by visiting education.auburn.edu/
auburnvoices
A K e y s t o n e i n B u i l d i n g a B e t t e r F u t u r e f o r A l l 27