Georgia College Achieves Milestone of 1 Million Service Hours with National Certification
In a remarkable achievement, Georgia College & State University (GCSU) has reached a significant milestone, exceeding 1 million hours of community service. This accomplishment has also earned the university the prestigious 2026 Carnegie Elective Classification for Community Engagement, recognizing the substantial contributions made by students through their voluntary efforts.
GCSU's commitment to community service is reflected in the nearly universal participation of students in various service projects during their academic journey. A key initiative, known as GCSU Gives Day, serves as an introduction for first-year students to engage with the community. This event, initiated in 2018, partners with local non-profit organizations across Milledgeville and Baldwin County, providing new students with first-hand experience in community service. In 2024, GCSU Gives Day generated an impressive economic impact, valued at approximately $120,000, due to the dedication of over 1,600 first-year volunteers.
For over two decades, the Office of Community Engagement and Belonging has successfully coordinated the involvement of around 25,000 volunteers, leading to a total of 1.1 million hours of service, which has resulted in an impact of $26 million for the community. Dr. Dan Nadler, vice president for Student Life at Georgia College, commented on the significance of this classification. He stated, 'This Carnegie classification reflects the dedication Georgia College has to a culture of serving our community. Our faculty and students are continuously involved in projects that extend beyond the classroom, addressing critical community needs.'
With a vibrant campus comprising over 200 student organizations, GCSU fosters a culture of leadership and service. Among various community-focused groups, GC Miracle stands out, having raised more than $1 million for the Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital, while Best Buddies focuses on facilitating friendships with individuals with disabilities.
Timothy F.C. Knowles, president of The Carnegie Foundation, emphasized the importance of colleges and universities in driving prosperity within various communities across the nation. He stated, 'We celebrate each of these institutions, particularly their dedication to partnering with their neighbors – fostering civic engagement, building usable knowledge and catalyzing real-world learning experiences for students.' GCSU is among 277 institutions nationwide, both public and private, to receive this prestigious recognition from The American Council on Education along with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Community engagement activities at GCSU continue to thrive. This includes community-based engaged learning courses which alone generate over 10,000 documented service hours each year. Dr. Mengyao Xu, an assistant professor in the Department of Communication, recently led her senior capstone students in a collaboration with local elementary schools for a battery recycling campaign dubbed 'Battery Hero.' The initiative resulted in the rescue of over 27 pounds of used batteries from landfills in its initial phase. Such projects have garnered positive attention from local educational authorities, prompting Dr. Xu to expand this recycling initiative across the Baldwin County School District.
Georgia College & State University, located in Milledgeville, is a selective admission institution within the University System of Georgia, alongside entities like Georgia Tech and The University of Georgia. It boasts an enrollment of over 7,300 students from nearly every county in Georgia. Furthermore, GCSU has earned top rankings, including fifth among public regional universities in the South and first within its home state, as highlighted by the US News & World Report's 2026 rankings. The university is also recognized for its outstanding academic success rates, leading all NCAA Division II institutions since 2022.
GCSU continues to provide extensive hands-on learning opportunities across various high-demand undergraduate and graduate programs, with a particular emphasis on disciplines such as Business, Nursing, Education, Psychology, and Exercise Science, in addition to a pre-med mentoring pathway boasting a flawless record in medical school admissions over the past 15 years. For those seeking further information, the university's official website at www.gcsu.edu serves as a comprehensive resource for news and updates.
GCSU's commitment to community service is reflected in the nearly universal participation of students in various service projects during their academic journey. A key initiative, known as GCSU Gives Day, serves as an introduction for first-year students to engage with the community. This event, initiated in 2018, partners with local non-profit organizations across Milledgeville and Baldwin County, providing new students with first-hand experience in community service. In 2024, GCSU Gives Day generated an impressive economic impact, valued at approximately $120,000, due to the dedication of over 1,600 first-year volunteers.
For over two decades, the Office of Community Engagement and Belonging has successfully coordinated the involvement of around 25,000 volunteers, leading to a total of 1.1 million hours of service, which has resulted in an impact of $26 million for the community. Dr. Dan Nadler, vice president for Student Life at Georgia College, commented on the significance of this classification. He stated, 'This Carnegie classification reflects the dedication Georgia College has to a culture of serving our community. Our faculty and students are continuously involved in projects that extend beyond the classroom, addressing critical community needs.'
With a vibrant campus comprising over 200 student organizations, GCSU fosters a culture of leadership and service. Among various community-focused groups, GC Miracle stands out, having raised more than $1 million for the Beverly Knight Olson Children's Hospital, while Best Buddies focuses on facilitating friendships with individuals with disabilities.
Timothy F.C. Knowles, president of The Carnegie Foundation, emphasized the importance of colleges and universities in driving prosperity within various communities across the nation. He stated, 'We celebrate each of these institutions, particularly their dedication to partnering with their neighbors – fostering civic engagement, building usable knowledge and catalyzing real-world learning experiences for students.' GCSU is among 277 institutions nationwide, both public and private, to receive this prestigious recognition from The American Council on Education along with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.
Community engagement activities at GCSU continue to thrive. This includes community-based engaged learning courses which alone generate over 10,000 documented service hours each year. Dr. Mengyao Xu, an assistant professor in the Department of Communication, recently led her senior capstone students in a collaboration with local elementary schools for a battery recycling campaign dubbed 'Battery Hero.' The initiative resulted in the rescue of over 27 pounds of used batteries from landfills in its initial phase. Such projects have garnered positive attention from local educational authorities, prompting Dr. Xu to expand this recycling initiative across the Baldwin County School District.
Georgia College & State University, located in Milledgeville, is a selective admission institution within the University System of Georgia, alongside entities like Georgia Tech and The University of Georgia. It boasts an enrollment of over 7,300 students from nearly every county in Georgia. Furthermore, GCSU has earned top rankings, including fifth among public regional universities in the South and first within its home state, as highlighted by the US News & World Report's 2026 rankings. The university is also recognized for its outstanding academic success rates, leading all NCAA Division II institutions since 2022.
GCSU continues to provide extensive hands-on learning opportunities across various high-demand undergraduate and graduate programs, with a particular emphasis on disciplines such as Business, Nursing, Education, Psychology, and Exercise Science, in addition to a pre-med mentoring pathway boasting a flawless record in medical school admissions over the past 15 years. For those seeking further information, the university's official website at www.gcsu.edu serves as a comprehensive resource for news and updates.
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