ACTC Hosts Inaugural “My College Cares Day” to Promote Civic Engagement and Career Readiness
Published on Oct 17, 2024
More than 40 students from Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC) participated in the college’s first-ever “My College Cares Day” on Friday, October 11.
This community service event is part of an ongoing initiative from ACTC.
The initiative stems from ACTC’s involvement in the Graduate Profile Academy’s 10 essential skills, a program launched by CPE in 2021 to address the workforce’s urgent need for graduates proficient in soft skills.
Students volunteered at various local organizations, giving their time to support and connect with the community.
"My College Cares Day" was introduced as part of ACTC’s efforts to bridge this gap and allow students to earn their civic engagement digital badge - one of the 10 Essential Skills emphasized by the Graduate Profile Academy.
The event also contributes to the college’s broader strategy of preparing students for the workforce by offering them opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world experiences.
Participating organizations for the day included:
· Ashland Animal Rescue Fund (AARF), Ashland, KY
· Boyd County Animal Control Center, Ashland, KY
· Boyd County Public Library, Ashland, KY
· Hillcrest-Bruce Mission, Ashland, KY
· Lawrence County Emergency Management, Louisa, KY
· Northeast KY Corp of the Salvation Army Thrift Store, Ashland, KY
· Safe Harbor, Ashland, KY
· Sierra’s Haven for New & Used, Portsmouth, OH
· The Highlands Museum & Discovery Center, Ashland, KY
Mike Maynard, Executive Director of Hillcrest-Bruce Mission, expressed gratitude for the event, saying, “ACTC recognizes that education goes beyond the classroom, valuing service to others and the community equally. During My College Cares Day, nine volunteers from ACTC assisted Hillcrest-Bruce Mission with our end-of-week deep cleaning and helped us catch up on overdue tasks. Thanks to their support, we are now much better prepared to receive and deliver food to homebound seniors. We deeply appreciate the leadership, staff, teachers, and students of ACTC for making this day a success.”
Seymouria Mitchell, one of the student participants, reflected positively on the experience.
“The hands that once needed help are now the hands offering it. It’s an honor to give back to my community,” she said.
Dr. Sara Brown, ACTC’s Graduate Profile Academy team lead, expressed her appreciation in the students’ commitment to making a positive difference.
“Civic engagement is a critical part of personal and professional growth, and I commend our students for stepping outside their comfort zones to serve their community,” she said. “We were encouraged that many students expressed an interest in volunteering again.”
In addition to giving back to the community, students gained valuable experience in teamwork and civic engagement, earning digital badges that can be showcased on platforms such as LinkedIn and Handshake. These badges enhance students' profiles, making them more visible to potential employers and contribute toward the completion of the Work Ready Certification.
The class of 2023 was the first to benefit from this streamlined process, receiving electronic recognition for their competency in these critical skills.
For more information about the 10 essential skills, please visit our website (Link: https://ashland.kctcs.edu/current-students/academic-resources/essential-skills.aspx)
Organizations can express interest in being included for upcoming volunteer opportunities by completing the form (Link: https://forms.office.com/r/SSgRceSLYK)
