Jonesboro, AR – (Contributed) – Sept. 18, 2025 – Arkansas State University students will participate in its first Freshman Day of Service on Wednesday, Sept. 24, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., by engaging more than 2,000 first-year students in meaningful community service projects across campus and the region.

The Freshman Day of Service connects students with opportunities to make a difference while living out the university’s mission to educate leaders, enhance intellectual growth and enrich lives.

“As a signature tradition for first-year students, the Freshman Day of Service marks the beginning of their journey as engaged members of the A-State community,” said Dr. Shaquita Renelique, director of First-Year Experience.

“It’s a chance for our newest students to immediately see the impact they can make at A-State. To me, it means building a sense of belonging, pride and responsibility by rolling up our sleeves and working together to improve the campus we now call home,” she added.

Each academic college has been assigned a project that addresses local and campus needs:

  • The College of Agriculture will host a food drive and pack food boxes for the Food Bank of Northeast Arkansas.
  • The Neil Griffin College of Business will assist with operations at the A-State Food Pantry.
  • The College of Education and Behavioral Science will assemble self-care packages and holistic wellness resources to support student well-being.
  • The College of Engineering and Computer Science will build garden beds for the Food Pantry’s sustainability efforts.
  • The College of Liberal Arts and Communication will write letters of encouragement for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital patients.
  • The College of Nursing and Health Professions will support veterans by creating holiday cards, ornaments and patriotic crafts in honor of Veterans Day, while also organizing donations through a closet clean-out project for the Beck Center for Veterans.
  • The Beck College of Sciences and Mathematics will lead a campus wide beautification and cleanup effort.
  • University College will coordinate a blood drive, restock the toiletry closet and assist with library cleanup.

In addition to service projects, FYE and Volunteer A-State will host a Nonprofit Tabling Fair from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Heritage Plaza lawn. Local and regional nonprofit organizations will be on hand to connect with students, share volunteer opportunities, and build partnerships for future engagement. Free food will be available while supplies last.

Renelique emphasized that service is a central value of the A-State experience.

“A-State is committed to helping students succeed not only academically, but also as leaders and citizens,” she added. “By starting their journey here with service, freshmen learn early that college is about contributing to something bigger than yourself.”

For more details, contact Renelique at srenelique@AState.edu or (870) 972-3623.