Learning while giving back: Students put skills to good use through creative partnerships

This paid piece is sponsored by Southeast Technical College.

Southeast Technical College prepares tomorrow’s workforce and has been doing so since 1968. But STC’s place in the community extends beyond skilled jobs and workforce needs to fully integrate and serve the community through service, civil engagement and giving back.

Recently, four campus departments collaborated to renovate a hunting bus for Wings of Valor, a nonprofit hunting lodge that provides veterans with outdoor opportunities.

STC’s collision repair and refinish, automotive, welding and diesel programs contributed services in their area of expertise, resulting in a product that will create fond memories for many veterans for years to come.

While Wings of Valor is a notable project, it is far from the only worthwhile service project in recent memory.

“Our faculty, staff and students are doing really great things in the community,” said STC President Bob Griggs. “And a few years ago, we recognized the need for a more concentrated, organized effort.”

That is when Service to Community Days was born. And, what started as a one-day effort, now happens twice a year, spans entire semesters and involves more people.

Kristin Wellnitz, a psychology instructor at STC, coordinates civic engagement efforts on campus and played a key role in starting STC Days.

“In the fall, we have more of a community service focus, often working with organizations like Feeding South Dakota, Church on the Street, Rake the Town, Lunch is Served, Habitat for Humanity, ZooBoo, The Banquet and others,” Wellnitz said. “This past fall, students and employees volunteered more than 375 hours.”

Wellnitz said her students love to help and be involved.

“Sometimes, they aren’t sure where to start, but it’s great to see them interact in the community and experience making a difference in others’ lives,” she said.

While some things can’t be taught in a classroom or a lab, most STC community service projects can be tied to learning objectives.

Examples of tying service projects to curriculum include the automotive technology program’s oil changes for veterans events, the early childhood specialist program’s book drive, nursing students holding flu shot clinics and medical assistant students performing blood pressure checks. Another popular curriculum-related service project is the mechatronics program modifying donated toys for children with mobility issues, making them easier to operate.

“In addition to providing relevant, career-focused education, we also want to produce well-rounded citizens,” Griggs said. “Our hope is when STC graduates enter the workforce, they are leaving us with a sense of civic duty.”

That sense of civic duty has been modeled by many of STC’s partners.

“We have found that industry is almost always willing to help us help when there is a need,” Wellnitz said. “For example, when auto tech students did oil changes, Dakota Auto Parts donated the supplies.”

The month of April is designated as Service to Community month, and plans are already underway at STC.

“Many instructors work on projects all semester, so some projects are already in progress,” Wellnitz said. “It’s heartwarming to not only see a need being served in the community but to see our students grow as people and become aware of others’ needs. I love watching this effort grow each year.”