PROGRAMS
Students who want to get involved in service can participate in one of the Leadership & Service volunteer or service-learning projects. Leadership & Service offers one-day service events, educational discussions and group service projects dedicated to service. View the left-hand navigation for details on Leadership & Service programs.
Blood Drives
The gift of blood helps save lives, and the demand for blood and blood products is great. Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, and more than 50,000 units of blood are needed each year.
Leadership & Service hosts several blood drives with the American Red Cross each academic year. The mission of the American Red Cross is to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.
For an appointment to donate blood with the American Red Cross, please refer to American Red Cross and enter sponsor code georgiagsu. Walk-ins are also welcome.
American Red Cross Age Requirements
American Red Cross requires all donors to be at least 17 years old, or 16 years old with a signed permission form from their parent or a guardian before the donation.
Community Impact Corps
Get connected with the community and earn hands-on experience through the community service component of the federal work study program called Community Impact Corps. Students who choose to participate in this program have the opportunity to gain valuable skills, network with nonprofit leaders in Atlanta and participate in professional development sessions.
One of the primary focal points of Georgia State is to prepare students for their careers through their college experience which is defined in the university’s Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP).Leadership & Service supports the university’s mission by providing federal work-study opportunities for students who are dedicated to creating change and maintaining positive change. This is done by placing those students who are eligible for federal work-study with our community partners in efforts to ensure they have the theoretical and practical experience needed upon graduation to obtain and secure their ideal career.
Interested Students
Students must contact Financial Aid to determine eligibility for federal work-study.
Getting Started
Students need to bring a copy of their class schedule and award letter (showing they have been awarded federal work-study, which can be accessed in their PAWS Account) to Leadership & Service where they can browse through a hard copy list of job openings or view the job openings on Handshake.
Upon becoming a work-study student within the program, students will receive the following: five-minute orientation on what is required for participation in this program, Student Rights and Responsibilities handout to review and sign, guidance with entering time into OneUSG Connect for payroll, customer service training techniques to assist while on the job or in everyday life and information about Reflection Session events and more.
Handshake
Handshake is an innovative way for students to connect with thousands of employers, make appointments with career counselors and search for jobs and internships on and off-campus. Handshake allows students to personalize career recommendations based on interests and connections, helping students discover exciting new opportunities. This user-friendly version of job hunting can assist the everyday student to navigate their way to discover the convenience of job research, create profiles, sign up for campus career events and more.
Handshake provides multiple online resources, such as virtual training videos on how to apply for jobs, save specific job searches and edit documents. With their friendly team of experts, all applicants can be guaranteed a reliable and effective experience to assist with any addressed concerns.
Login online: Handshake
About the Program
History
The program was initiated in 1994 with three worksites and 24 students. The program continues to gather momentum, serving over 30 worksites and 50 student employees. Student Civic Engagement looks forward to serving students and the community as the twenty-third year of this program begins!
Background Checks
All Georgia State students who work at sites where children are present will have a background check performed. For further information regarding background checks or questions about the Federal Work-Study program, please contact Ellin McDonough or call 404-413-1550.
Earth Week 2025: April 17–25
Join us in celebrating Earth Week 2025! From April 17–25, the Georgia State community is coming together for a week of events centered around this year’s theme:
“Our Power, Our Planet.”
This theme highlights the collective effort needed to transition to renewable energy and build a sustainable future.
See the full list of Earth Week activities.
Celebrate Earth Day at Hurt Park! April 22, 2025. (PIN PAGE)
Get Involved: Engage in hands-on activities like pot painting, planting, recycled crafts, and DIY terrariums.
Explore Sustainability: Connect with student organizations, academic departments, and local initiatives making a difference in environmental conservation.
Enjoy Free Food: Complete at least 10 sustainability stations with your event passport to grab a bite!
Win Prizes: Participate in activities for a chance to win eco-friendly rewards, including recycled paper journals.
Meet Our Guest Speaker: Alicia Blount
We’re thrilled to welcome Alicia Blount, founder of the sustainable fashion brand Yellow Blanket, as our guest speaker for the 2025 Earth Day Festival! Alicia’s journey from upcycling thrifted pieces in Lithonia, GA to building a brand rooted in sustainability and creativity is a powerful reminder that fashion can be a force for good. A Georgia State alum and graduate of the Main Street Entrepreneurs Seed Fund, Alicia brings heart, hustle, and vision to everything she does.
Celebrate, learn, and take action for a greener future—see you there!
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is an annual event held in November. Every year, schools, communities, and cities take part in a nationwide effort to bring awareness to food insecurity and homelessness.
During this week, Leadership & Service and collaborating partners host a collection of events designed to inspire student engagement, raise awareness, and ignite knowledge transfer among the student population on food insecurity and homelessness issues in the Atlanta community. By fostering a network of collaboration, education and experiences among students, community, and campus leaders, the hope is to have all participants take away insight, knowledge and inspiration. We hope this will lead to impactful actions and involvement to alleviate food insecurity and homelessness within our community.
MLK Day of Service
SAVE THE DATE: Monday, January 19, 2026
Each year Georgia State honors Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and works with numerous activities in January. The MLK Commemoration Week feature lectures, discussions, celebrations, and community service opportunities that reflect his dream and vision for civil rights and social justice.
ABOUT OUR 2026 MLK Day of Service Project:
Instead of taking the holiday off, participate in Georgia State's MLK Day of Service on Monday, January 19, 2026. The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is Georgia State's largest annual volunteer event that brings students together to do community service.
More details will be announced, soon! Have questions? Reach out to B.J. DuRant, Assistant Director of Leadership & Service at [email protected].
PawsForACause Expo
Georgia State students, faculty, and staff meet Atlanta nonprofits at the PawsForACause Expo. These organizations offer volunteer opportunities and information about their efforts in Atlanta. Students, faculty, and staff can interact with these groups to find opportunities that match their needs and interests.
For any questions concerning the fair, email Leadership & Service.
Spring StayBreak at Georgia State
March 2026 (Exact Dates Coming Soon)
Make your spring break count—right here in Atlanta.
Spring StayBreak is a three-day immersive service experience where Georgia State students come together to address real community challenges through meaningful, hands-on work. Participants will partner with local organizations to support efforts around:
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Food equity
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Healthcare access
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Environmental justice and sustainability
Through this program, students develop leadership skills, build relationships, and make a tangible impact—right where they live and learn.
Whether you're passionate about social justice, looking to get involved, or just want to do something different over break, StayBreak is your chance to step up and serve.
Domestic Trips
International Trips
Leadership Opportunities
Panther Community Plunge
The Panther Community Plunge is Leadership & Service’s first large-scale day of service of the academic year that introduces first-year and returning students at Georgia State to the numerous social issues faced by Atlanta communities. This year student volunteers and staff leaders will participate in service projects dealing with a variety of issues from the environment to homelessness.
The Panther Community Plunge is made possible through a generous donation from American Family Insurance!

Voter Engagement Programs
Leadership & Service works alongside university departments, colleges and community organizations to provide a list of opportunities for voter registration and voter engagement programming for Georgia State students, faculty and staff to engage. For more information visit vote.gsu.edu.