The Opportunity Scholars program at the David Eccles School of Business works to establish a culture of service.

“Not only does service address a significant need in the community,” said Program Manager Latu Kinikini, “but it also enriches the educational experience for our scholars by bringing them together and giving back to the community.”

And the Opportunity Scholars certainly delivered during their Fall Semester service project, putting in more than 300 service hours over two days.

“I think service makes you feel good inside and that you know you have done something good that will hopefully last forever … service to others give life purpose and meaning,” said Opportunity Scholar Hykouhi Ter-Gevorkian.

This semester, students were given three opportunities to choose from:

St. Vincent de Paul Dining Hall

The dining hall typically services 2,000 meals per day to the hungry in our community. Due to COVID-19, the dining hall is not opened to the public, and they have pivoted to food prepped in advance and given out in bags. Several students prepped food and organized inventory, coolers, and freezers. Others painted the fence and bathrooms.

“To me, the service project means I can be useful to those who need it. I told my group, “There is no point in coming up and making history if we aren’t helping those around us do the same,” said Eric Jara, Opportunity Scholar and OSI Ambassador.

Cannery at Welfare Square

Groups of students also had the chance to volunteer at the cannery at Welfare Square, making and bottling salsa that will then be distributed to families in need.

“Service projects are essential to our experience within the University. It reminds us to give back regardless of our position within society. We build meaningful connections with one another and in turn, build our professional and familial network,” said Xitally Garcia Barajas, Opportunity Scholar.

Remote Service

Students also had the flexibility to volunteer online or from home and make a difference. They reached out to organizations such as United Way, JustServe.org, VolunteerMatch, Operation Gratitude, and GrownandFlown to serve in ways that were both low-risk and made a real impact.

The Eccles School is proud of our Opportunity Scholars and their commitment to giving back. This amazing program is designed to support and enhance the educational experience of first-generation business students as they progress toward graduation. For more information, visit Eccles.link/opportunity-scholars.