On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, two teams of Worcester State University students who belong to the Community Leadership Experience (CLEWS), contributed time and effort to two local organizations. One group continued WSU’s partnership with the May Street School, while another worked at a home in Ayer with Habitat for Humanity North Central and the Massachusetts Service Alliance.
The CLEWS program was born in 2011, designed by Mark Wagner, director of the John J. Binienda Center for Civic Engagement, and Adrian Gage, assistant dean of Student Affairs, with the goal to create programming for students who have an interest in community engagement and dedicated to service. CLEWS courses and activities focus on various aspects of community and leadership.
“As we live together and pursue our own individual majors, we see our students gain from being part of a social group and in being mentored on their WSU opportunities, such as how to become an RA or a peer mentor,” Wagner said. “Some of the key events and opportunities the CLEWS program offers include linked courses, ‘fireside chats’ with faculty, Make a Difference Day in October, alternative fall and spring breaks, field trips, and generally a warm introduction to the engaged community at WSU.”
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