At Case Western Reserve University, students are more than guests in our city—they are Clevelanders for the duration of their studies on campus. For many, that comes with a desire to give back to the neighbors who have welcomed them to the community.
From participation in the Civic Engagement Scholars program through the Center for Civic Engagement and Leadership to engagement in research opportunities that benefit Cleveland residents, our students (alongside faculty and staff) make a difference in countless ways.
We spoke with a few students who make volunteerism an integral part of their college experience to learn how they have made a difference and what they enjoy most about volunteering.
Answers have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Sriprada Chavali
Sriprada Chavali is a fourth-year student majoring in biochemistry while also pursuing a Master of Arts in Bioethics degree. She volunteers at Minds Matter, a college prep program for Cleveland youth from low-income families.
1. Why did you decide to volunteer as a student?
I wanted to help make an impact on the community. I first began volunteering in high school, and since starting college, I’ve had so many more opportunities to give back to people. It’s one of the things that drew me to this school initially, and it’s been a really rewarding part of my college experience. It’s important to step outside your comfort zone every once in a while and try to bring about some positive change. Otherwise, we can get lost in our own little worlds.
2. How did you choose your volunteer site(s)?
I love tutoring and helping younger students. Not only is it fun to revisit and challenge my understanding of old concepts, I also get to meet so many students with different backgrounds, strengths, and weaknesses. Volunteering at Minds Matter gave me the opportunity to learn from these different perspectives, all while hopefully making the ACT a little less of a stressful experience for these students!
3. What sort of activities do you do as a volunteer?
I tutor groups of about 2-4 high school sophomores and juniors on some material from the section of the ACT that they were working on that week. Usually this involves reading information from the Kaplan books and doing practice problems together.
4. What do you enjoy most about being a volunteer?
I think my favorite part is watching students improve. I got a couple “year in review” emails from Minds Matter about the students’ progress—their average score increases, the colleges they’re going to, the financial aid they’ve received, and so on. On a smaller scale, a student would sometimes say how they got a lot out of a particular session or I would watch a member of the group get more questions right by the end. I love that feeling of making a positive impact.
5. Have you had any particularly special moments as a volunteer?
I think every moment volunteering was special in its own way! From chatting with fellow tutors on the rides there and back to the sometimes easy, sometimes challenging sessions, there were a lot of moments that made volunteering at Minds Matter meaningful.
6. Why would you encourage more students to get involved in volunteer work?
Volunteering is great! Not only do you get to help people—which is obviously a positive in and of itself—but I think a lot of volunteers get a lot out of it too. College is a time for us to grow, not just academically but also as people. Volunteering can be a significant part of that growth by giving you a chance to develop new skills, meet new people, and learn new perspectives.
Somin Jung
Somin Jung is a fourth-year student majoring in biomedical engineering. Through the CCEL Serves program, she volunteers at Seeds of Literacy, an organization dedicated to adult education in Cleveland.
1. Why did you decide to volunteer as a student?
Having lived in Cleveland for the past 12 years of my life, I embody my city’s spirit and energy. Cleveland has made me who I am, and as a CWRU student, I wanted to give back to the community that has raised me. Volunteering is a wonderful way to meet and support local Clevelanders and has been a core part of my CWRU experience.
2. How did you choose your volunteer site(s)?
As a first-year student at CWRU, I frequently attended recitation and supplemental instruction (SI) sessions. I connected with many Teaching Assistants (TAs) and SI leaders, who showed me that teaching is a truly fulfilling experience. Later in my second year, I wanted to pursue a volunteering program where I could support my community in a similar nature. I visited the CCEL office, which helped me find the Seeds of Literacy program.
3. What sort of activities do you do as a volunteer?
I am a tutor for the General Education Development (GED) Program, which provides students with greater career and higher education opportunities. We have students from across the Greater Cleveland area, ranging from young adults to senior citizens. Some of the subjects I help with are math and science. Every Tuesday over a period of two hours, my students and I work together to build problem-solving skills and develop test-taking strategies.
4. What do you enjoy most about being a volunteer?
Not only do I enjoy supporting my students academically as a volunteer, but I also have the pleasure of getting to know them. Every student has a unique passion, whether it may be rearing their grandchildren, working towards a professional degree, or how their new skills and knowledge are applied in their daily lives. While I serve as a tutor at Seeds of Literacy, I am also constantly learning from my students’ wisdom and profound experiences in life.
5. Have you had any particularly special moments as a volunteer?
I have been helping a student who has worked at CWRU, who is the highlight of my Tuesdays. She and I connect over our experiences on campus and have lots of fun solving an assortment of math problems. She has said that seeing CWRU’s hard-working students has motivated her to prepare for her GED. Every session we have together, she inspires me with her bright energy and love for learning!
6. Why would you encourage more students to get involved in volunteer work?
Nothing feels more fulfilling than being able to support the success, welfare and health of our community members. Volunteering is a fantastic opportunity to form meaningful relationships with people from all walks of life.
Grayson P. Shanks
Grayson P. Shanks is a second-year student with a major in biochemistry and a minor in mathematics. He volunteers by tutoring local youth at Cleveland Heights Public Library and supporting clients at the Father Michael Wittman Ozanam Center.
1. Why did you decide to volunteer as a student?
I volunteered throughout high school, and I knew that I wanted to continue to volunteer going forward into university. CCEL had exactly what I was looking for in that regard, and it gave me the opportunity to meet new people, which is always fun.
2. How did you choose your volunteer site(s)?
For the most part, I chose my sites based on what the activity was. I’ve tutored in the past so it was most natural for me to continue to do so, so most of the sites I’ve gone to had some level of that involvement. Alternatively, I would choose sites where I would have a chance to learn from others and still help in some way.
3. What sort of activities do you do as a volunteer?
A lot of what I do centers around tutoring and homework help, otherwise it can be more site specific.
4. What do you enjoy most about being a volunteer?
It is really cool to see growth in people, as they will initially struggle with a new concept but begin to slowly work their way through it. Growth is always the most exciting thing to see.
5. Have you had any particularly special moments as a volunteer?
I had helped juniors in high school in the local Cleveland area with studying for the ACT. It really stuck with me how much they progressed and their level of thought was on full display with the questions they asked. It was amazing to watch, talk and learn from them.
6. Why would you encourage more students to get involved in volunteer work?
Generally speaking it is fun, and you never know the people that you will interact with. The new challenges and experiences are truly unique, and they can never be replaced, making them truly valuable.
Looking to learn more about ways the CWRU community gives back to Cleveland and beyond? Learn more about Collaboratory, the platform that tracks community engagement efforts at CWRU.