Applications to serve on the Volunteer Action Center board for the 2024-25 school year are now open on HogSync and close at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22!

The VAC is a student-led organization within the Center for Community Engagement that connects U of A students to long-term volunteer opportunities with its programs and short-term volunteer opportunities within the community. The VAC is comprised of six unique signature programs, including Be BOLD, Dream BIG, the Jane B. Gearhart Full Circle Food Pantry, the Passionate About Literacy Program, Razorback Food Recovery and Student Engagement.

Each of the VAC's programs aim to meet a specific need within the community while providing U of A students the opportunity to create an impact and build community with passionate and driven peers, like the associate of marketing on the executive communications team, Jordyn Moore, who says that "the VAC offers an opportunity to be constantly inspired by your peers."

The VAC's executive team, composed of the president, four vice president positions and two associate positions, supports each program's leadership team and program-specific initiatives by coordinating weekly board meetings consisting of unique programming, guest speakers and field trips. Becoming a VAC board member offers students a one-of-a-kind leadership and professional development experience that allows students to drive decision-making efforts through budget management, curriculum development and data interpretation to maintain and expand their programs while "learning how to communicate, cross-collaborate and plan events effectively," said Devan Mishra when asked about what skills he's cultivated through his role as the intern for the student engagement team.

Being a VAC board member is an extraordinary experience where students can discover a greater sense of purpose, like PAL Program Chair Gavin Miller, who said that "before joining the PAL Program, I didn't feel that my collegiate experience had a greater purpose; it just seemed like another step required of my future career. Through PAL, I have been able to help run a program that makes a real impact on both student volunteers and the community, providing me with a sense of purpose when my schoolwork feels pointless or overwhelming."

With three mentoring programs, two food-based programs and an outreach program, the VAC has opportunities for everyone to combat prevalent issues they're passionate about, like Razorback Food Recovery Chair Ella Fei Flesher, who said that "I love Razorback Food Recovery because it is a tangible and actionable way to make a difference in food insecurity and food waste."

The VAC encourages all U of A students to consider applying for the board or getting involved with service to experience the value of shaping change within our community! You can find more information about the VAC's open board positions at volunteer.uark.edu!