On Georgia Perimeter College’s recent Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, student Shinelle Dawkins was busy picking up litter around the South River in south DeKalb County. She was surprised by the beauty of the area. “This is practically in my backyard—I drive over that bridge every Tuesday,” the business administration major says. GPC English professor Dr. Valerie Dotson and some of her African-American literature students volunteered at the Flat Rock Archives site in Lithonia to build garden beds and learn more about the historic DeKalb County African-American community. Clarkston Campus students Yosef Guta and Khalid Ahmed, who received extra credit from their English professor to volunteer on MLK Day, spent the morning armed with bags to pick up recyclable items and trash. “This is my first time volunteering,” says Ahmed, adding that he will do it again, even without extra credit. Sites across the metro Atlanta need the help, and GPC’s Quality Enhancement Plan office responds by coordinating four specific volunteer days: • 9/11 Day of Service Remembrance in September • “Make A Difference Day” in October • MLK Day of Service in January • Global Youth Service Day in April “These events are primarily meant to serve as a springboard for GPC faculty to use service learning in the classroom,” says Mary Elizabeth Tyler-Boucebci, community-based learning coordinator for GPC. “By crafting an assignment around the pre-planned service or working with our office to plan a service event, they can get their feet wet—see how service learning works and feel more comfortable using it.” The service opportunities are open to all GPC students, whether or not their professors have included them in an assignment. In addition to the designated dates, many GPC faculty members offer students volunteer opportunities year round. In 2013, GPC students contributed almost 3,500 service hours toward volunteer projects in their communities. Global Youth Service Day on April 11 is the last service day of the current academic year. For information on other volunteer opportunities, call Tyler-Boucebci at 678-891-3174.