Each August, 300 incoming Honors College freshmen arrive on campus more than one week before classes start to take part in Honors Action service programs within the West Alabama community. Working with 70 upperclass Honors College student leaders, these new students get to know one another and the Honors College while learning about issues that challenge Tuscaloosa and the surrounding community, including education, health care, and the environment. Throughout their week of service, they assist in the development of school gardens; clean up state parks and waterways; and paint and create outdoor learning spaces at local schools, among other projects. Katie Jack, 2018 Alabama Action student director described her experience in this way: "To serve the Tuscaloosa area while acquainting myself with campus and my peers was invaluable to my freshman experience. I was terrified to come to a big university where I didn't know anyone, but Alabama Action made Tuscaloosa feel like home. I've met some of my best friends in this program and I love Alabama Action so much that I've participated year after year.”
Student-led teams develop and implement projects in conjunction with needs identified by school principals and other community leaders. Our goal is $5,000, which will expand the teams’ budgets and allow the students to exercise more ambition and creativity in developing projects that best meet identified needs. The funds will also allow the purchase of new tools and equipment, including a pressure washer, which will improve the students’ effectiveness in their projects.
