Methodist University and the United Way of Cumberland County have joined forces through a student ambassador program that will impact those in need from our community for years to come.
Methodist University and the United Way of Cumberland County have joined forces through a student ambassador program that will impact those in need from our community for years to come.
For 86 years, United Way of Cumberland County has supported local nonprofits in strengthening the community, and MU has had students, staff, and faculty volunteering and supporting the community since it opened its doors 70 years ago. It’s been a perfect match for decades.
Scott Embry, executive director of United Way, emphasized both the legacy of the organization and the importance of passing the torch to the next generation.
“When you look at the demographic of those who’ve carried this work for decades, many are older, and we have to be intentional about engaging young people,” Embry said. “The needs in our community are greater than ever, and the next wave of volunteers must plug into their passions to help meet them.”
That’s a call to action that Methodist University hopes to answer through its partnership with United Way and the student ambassador program.
Quincy Malloy, Ed.D., vice president for Engagement, Community, and Belonging, said the program was developed to reflect a shared mission.
“We want to take our students’ talents and match them with the community’s needs,” Malloy said. “When I learned that 100 percent of the funds raised by United Way go directly back into this community, it was a no-brainer to partner. It takes every individual in this county, across public and private institutions, to make the impact we want to see.”
One of the most impactful examples of the partnership so far this school year was at the Rise Against Hunger meal packing event at the Crown Coliseum. MU students joined other volunteers to pack more than 71,000 meals. Each dollar donated provided three meals.
“You can’t buy a full meal anywhere for a dollar,” Embry said. “But together, through the United Way, that same dollar provided three meals for people in need. That’s the kind of collective impact we want students to experience.”
Methodist University President Stanley T. Wearden, Ph.D., tied the initiative back to MU’s mission.
“We were formed by this community, and being engaged with it has been part of our DNA from the very beginning,” he said.
Executive Vice President and Provost Suzanne Blum Malley, Ph.D., echoed that sentiment, saying: “This is the perfect example of how we connect our students through the curriculum to the community. It’s not just about academics − it’s about asking students to explore their ‘why’ and consider how they respond to the needs around them.”
MU will have a Monarchs United Kickoff event for students, faculty and staff on Sept. 29 at The Quad on campus that will feature a DJ, food, guest speakers, and more.
For more information on how members of the MU Community can get involved with United Way contact the Engagement, Community, and Belonging Office.