From Sewanee to the World: 9 Outreach Journeys of Service & Community Building

To say our University outreach trips are transformative experiences is an understatement. For decades now, Sewanee students, faculty, and staff have ventured out into new communities to work on short-term service projects while also working to build long-term relationships.  Our outreach trips during the 2024-2025 academic year were no exception.  New trips and new communities were added, while teams returned to communities that feel like family.  

Over fall break, the University added a trip to Memphis, TN to work with Serve901 in order to meet the needs of various nonprofits and community organizations.  For winter break, we continued our work in Puerto Rico and also added a Hurricane Helene relief trip to Bat Cave, North Carolina.  And for spring break, we strengthened and deepened relationships and partnerships with six community partners: God’s Love We Deliver in New York City; Mountain T.O.P. in Grundy County, Tennessee; community partners and leaders in Selma, Alabama; lowernine.org in New Orleans, Louisiana; Community Collaborations International in Costa Rica; and Education Equals Hope in Quito, Ecuador.  

When asked what their experiences meant to them and what they learned, our students said it best:

From a student on the New Orleans trip:
I believe that you build up your own spirit when you help others - we're all inextricably bound together by love and compassion, and you cannot touch someone else's life without them touching yours. My civic responsibilities are, in part, responsibilities to my own soul - the sense of connectedness and rootedness you can establish through goodwill and selflessness are deeply healing.

From a student on the Selma trip:
I think what really makes a global citizen stand out in any civic work is the commitment to understanding, and listening to the voices of our community partners. Listening, I believe, is a core virtue of being a global citizen…For me, it's very important to gain insight from community members about the community itself and their own personal experiences engaging with the community. Building connections and relationships with the community is what truly makes an impact.

From a student on the New York Trip:
This experience reinforced my belief that every individual has a role to play in improving the lives of others. Civic responsibility isn't just about voting or activism; it’s also about direct service and community engagement. I now feel a stronger commitment to staying involved in service work, whether through local volunteering, advocacy, or eventually incorporating it into my career. Moving forward, I hope to stay engaged in service organizations and use my skills in science and healthcare to help underserved communities.

 From a student on the Costa Rica trip:
I learned that I need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. That feeling of unease catalyzes growth and change. Rather than seeing discomfort as something to avoid, I now understand that it can be the seed of inspiration—the very thing that pushes us to take action, challenge ourselves, and ultimately make a meaningful impact.

We are so grateful to all of outreach’s alumni, friends, and donors who continue to support this meaningful, impactful, and important program.  We couldn’t do this work without you!  If you would like to learn more about outreach at Sewanee or if you would like to support our program, please visit our website or email Lauren Goodpaster at lagoodpa@sewanee.edu.