PROGRAMS
Students who want to get involved in service can participate in one of the Student Civic Engagement volunteer or service-learning projects. Student Civic Engagement offers one-day service events, educational discussions, group service projects or week-long trips dedicated to service in new cities. View the left-hand navigation for details on Student Civic Engagement 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.
Atlanta Campus Blood Drives
Student clubs that would like to co-sponsor a blood drive on the Atlanta Campus should call 404-413-1550 or email Student Civic Engagement. Co-sponsoring organization responsibilities include advertising the event and providing volunteers to staff the event on the day of the blood drive.
For an appointment to donate blood with the American Red Cross on the Atlanta campus, 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.
Fall 2022 Blood Drives: Atlanta Campus
Date(s): Tuesday, September 27th, 2022
Time: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Location: Urban Life West Exhibit Area
Address: 140 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Sponsoring Orgs: Red Cross Club
Date(s): Wednesday, October 26 & Thursday, October 27, 2022
Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Urban Life West Exhibit Area
Address: 140 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Sponsoring Orgs: Red Cross Club
Date(s): Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Time: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Urban Life West Exhibit Area
Address: 140 Decatur St SE, Atlanta, GA 30303
Sponsoring Orgs: Red Cross Club
Schedule your appointment (Click on the Georgia State University information on the left of the screen to sign for an appointment)
Perimeter Campuses Blood Drives
Lifesouth came to the Atlanta community in 1995 at the request of three hospitals. Lifesouth now serves more than 25 hospitals throughout Georgia and they are the sole or primary supplier for multiple hospitals in the metro Atlanta area.
Student clubs that would like to co-sponsor a blood drive on a Perimeter campus should call 404-413-1550 or email Student Civic Engagement. Co-sponsoring organization responsibilities include advertising the event and providing volunteers to staff the event on the day of the blood drive.
Lifesouth Age Requirements: Lifesouth 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.
Lifesouth Community Blood Centers Donor Educational Materials
Fall 2022 Blood Drives: Perimeter Campuses
Alpharetta Campus
Date: Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: AA Building Patio Area – Mobile Unit
Clarkston Campus
Date: Tuesday, September 20, 2022
Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Between CN and CL Buildings – Mobile Unit
Decatur Campus
Date: Thursday, September 22, 2022
Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Quad – Mobile Unit
Dunwoody Campus
Date: Monday, September 26, 2022
Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Between NB and NC Buildings – Mobile Unit
Newton Campus
Date: Thursday, September 29, 2022
Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: 2N Building Circle Drive Area – Mobile Unit
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). Civic Engagement 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 Student Civic Engagement 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
Celebrate initiatives to integrate social equity, economic prosperity, and ecological integrity by participating in Georgia State’s Earth Week activities. Hosted by Student Civic Engagement, Perimeter College Science, Student Life and Sustainability Initiatives Office with support from other organizations.
If your department or organization is hosting an Earth Week event, the Sustainability Office would love to include it here. For more information please email Student Civic Engagement.
We are constantly updating the schedule with additional events weekly leading up to Earth Week, stay tuned!
Monday, April 18, 2022
Help improve recycling at the Atlanta campus by giving a facelift to our existing recycling bins.
Solar Cooker Demo - Virtual Event 1 - 2 p.m.
Dr. Socci will demonstrate how a solar cooker works and how it is used to heat different foods.
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
Help improve recycling at the Clarkston campus by giving a facelift to our existing recycling bins.
Earth Week Expo - Virtual Event 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Led by Several presenters will give talks discussing sustainability around campus and in everyday life.
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Work in the Botanical Garden. Volunteers will mulch, weed and help clean up the Garden.
Community Garden Cleanup - Decatur Campus 10 a.m. - Noon
Work in the Community Garden. Volunteers will mulch, weed and help clean up the Garden.
Campus Cleanup - Decatur Campus 1 p.m.
Help clean up our Decatur campus! Volunteers will walk around campus and remove trash.
Earth Week Fair - Atlanta Campus 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Come join us under the tent in Urban Life Plaza for some exciting Earth Week happenings. Learn more about sustainability initiatives at Georgia State and take home free plants!
Thursday, April 21, 2022
Come out and help us clean up the two gardens, the pollinator and native plant gardens, on the Clarkston campus!
Recycling at Georgia State - Atlanta Campus Noon - 12:30 p.m.
Check out GSU’s new recycling bins, including new high-capacity “smart” recycling bins, and learn how to recycle the state way.
Garden Meditation - Decatur Campus Noon - 1p.m.
Take a break from the week and learn how to relax your body and mind.
Friday, April 22, 2022 (Earth Day)
Diane Lahaise will present a talk on wild birds and their habitats. Learn how you can help our feathered friends.
Art in the Garden - Decatur Campus Botanical Garden 1 p.m.
Award-winning poems written by students, faculty, staff and alumni will be presented in the Botanical Garden. Artwork will also be celebrated and displayed.
Saturday, April 23, 2022
Celebrate Earth Day! Join us in a clean-up and beautification project at Georgia State University! Let us know you are coming so we have enough supplies!
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is an annual event held in November. Every year, several schools, communities, and cities take part in a nationwide effort to bring awareness to food insecurity and homelessness. This year’s Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week at Georgia State will take place from October 31 - November 5, 2022.
This week, Student Civic Engagement 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.
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week collaborates with Panther’s Pantry, Dean of Students, Embark Network, Leadership & Service and Cultures Communities & Inclusion.
MLK Day of Service
Each year Georgia State honors Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and works with numerous activities in January. Campus events feature lectures, discussions, celebrations, and community service opportunities that reflect his dream and vision for civil rights and social justice. January 16, 2023, marks the 40th anniversary of the first observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a U.S. federal holiday.
MLK Day 2022 Student Leaders Needed!
The Student Civic Engagement office recruits students to serve as MLK Day of Service Leaders who will serve as project leads for the MLK Day service projects. Check back for more information on volunteering as Service Leader early in the Fall Semester! If you have any additional questions or clarifications about the MLK Day of Service student leader role, please email Byron Jones.
To inquire for more information about Student Civic Engagement MLK Day of Service, email Student Civic Engagement or call us at 404-413-1550.
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 call 404-413-1550. or email Student Civic Engagement.
Panther Breakaway
Panther Breakaway is part of the national alternative breaks program, that organizes community service trips for college students during their winter, spring and summer breaks. Student Civic Engagement offers both international and domestic trips.
Students who are looking for a meaningful way to spend winter or spring break can join Student Civic Engagement and other students for a week of volunteering activities in cities across the southeast United States.
Domestic Trips
Dates: TBD
Cost: $-
Cities and Focus Area: 2022 Topics and Locations TBD
Spring Trips
Dates: TBD
Cost: $-
Cities and Focus Area: 2023 Topics and Locations TBD
Trip Details
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
- Each trip cost includes all transportation, lodging and meals.
- Students, faculty and staff can pay for Panther Breakaway alternative break trips online through Marketplace.
International Trips
Keep checking here for updates on the return of the International Panther Breakaway trip for Spring 2023.
Leadership Opportunities
More information on the 2022-23 Site Leader application coming soon! Site leaders receive a $50 discount on the price of their trip.
How to be a Leader
Students, faculty, and staff who are interested in serving as part of the Panther Breakaway leadership team for 2022-23 trips should contact Assistant Director Byron Jones at 404-413-1552.
Panther Community Plunge
The Panther Community Plunge is Civic Engagement’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. During Panther Welcome Week, student volunteers and staff leaders participate in service projects dealing with a variety of issues from the environment to homelessness.
Student Civic Engagement looks forward to having students join the next Panther Community Plunge.
Email Student Civic Engagement or call us at 404-413-1550 at with any questions.
Trick-or-Treat Fest
Trick-or-Treat Fest is a fun program that provides children with a safe zone for trick-or-treating during the Halloween season, as well as other fun activities including storytelling, face painting, a Halloween-themed movie and a haunted house. This event is hosted in collaboration with various Greek organizations on campus.
Trick-or-Treat Fest will be held the last week of October, at Georgia State. Last year’s event was a huge success thanks in part to the many organizations and Georgia State departments (Study Hall, Pittman Park Recreation, Operation Peace, Inman Middle School and Warren Boys and Girls Club) that assisted Student Civic Engagement with hosting such a heartening occasion.
Student Civic Engagement partnered with Greek Housing and University Housing to provide students with a safe zone for trick-or-treating, games and various fun activities. In total, 154 children attended last years’ Trick-or-Treat Fest. As a final surprise to an event filled day, Georgia State’s mascot, Pounce, made an appearance. Pounce took photos as well as assisted with passing out candy to the trick-or-treaters.
The event was indeed a success, but it would not have been possible without the amazing children in attendance as well as collaborative efforts from Student Civic Engagement, Greek Housing, University Housing and engaged community partners.
Contact Student Civic Engagement at 404-413-1550 with any questions.
Voter Engagement Programs
Student Civic Engagement works alongside university departments, colleges, and community organizations to provide a list of opportunities for voter registration and voter engagement programming for Georgia State University students, faculty, and staff to engage. For more information visit the voter engagement webpage, vote.gsu.edu.
Constitution Week, September 19-24, 2022
Join Student Civic Engagement, Dean of Students, Leadership Programs, CCI, and History and Political Science Department during Constitution Week to learn more about the various topics related to our United States Constitution.
RSVP today for one of the many events to be posted soon!
Explore Our Constitution
- Georgia State Library Research Guide for Constitution Week
- Visit the National Constitution Center site
- National Constitution Center Exhibits' Virtual Tours
- Interactive Quiz - How will your score measure up?
- Transcript of the Constitution
- Errors in the Constitution
- Interactive Constitution - Explore the Constitution! Search by article, amendment or issue.
- National Constitution Center Podcasts and Blog
Constitution Week, September 13-17, 2021
Join Student Civic Engagement, Dean of Students, Leadership Programs, CCI, and History and Political Science Department during Constitution Week to learn more about the various topics that relate to our United States Constitution. RSVP today for one of the many events.
Atlanta Campus Student Center Constitution Week Display (Hosted by Dean of Students, Leadership Programs, CCI) - Monday, September 13 - 18, 2021, Atlanta Campus Student Center East Lobby
All Campus Library Constitution Week Display (Hosted by Georgia State University Library) - Monday, September 13 - 18, 2021, All Campus Library Locations
The Impact of Asian American voters in Georgia, voter purges, and the ongoing changes in voting laws (Hosted by the Dunwoody History and Politics Club) - Monday, September 13, 2021, at 11 a.m. View the Impact of Asian American voters in Georgia recording
Activism and Policy: Understand Your Rights and Responsibilities (Hosted by Dean of Students, Leadership Programs, CCI) - Monday, September 13, 2021, at Noon
Amendments 101: Revisiting Our Constitutional Rights as African Americans by Teresa Hardy, NAACP DeKalb Branch President (Hosted by History and Political Science Department at Perimeter College) - Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at 11:30 a.m. View Amendments 101 recording
"Separation of Powers" - Executive, Legislative, Judicial vs Federal, State, Local (Hosted by the Dunwoody History and Politics Club) - Tuesday, September 14, 2021, at 1 p.m. View Separation of Powers recording
Immigration Law and Issues (Hosted by History and Political Science Department at Perimeter College) - Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at 11:30 a.m. View Immigration Law and Issues recording
Redistricting in Georgia (Hosted by History and Political Science Department at Perimeter College) - Wednesday, September 15, 2021, at 1:00 p.m. View Redistricting in Georgia recording
Voting in the Midterm Elections: Exploring the 2022 Primary Election, the 26th Amendment and Trends in Youth Voter Turnout (Hosted by History and Political Science Department at Perimeter College) - Thursday, September 16, 2021, at 1 p.m.
Explore Our Constitution
- Georgia State Library Research Guide for Constitution Week
- Visit the National Constitution Center site
- National Constitution Center Exhibits' Virtual Tours
- Interactive Quiz - How will your score measure up?
- Transcript of the Constitution
- Errors in the Constitution
- Interactive Constitution - Explore the Constitution! Search by article, amendment or issue.
- National Constitution Center Podcasts and Blog
Contact Us
Student Civic Engagement
Contact Information
404-413-1550
civicengagement@gsu.edu
Office Location
475 Student Center West
66 Courtland Street
Atlanta, GA 30303
Mailing Address
Georgia State University
Student Civic Engagement
P.O. Box 3972
Atlanta, GA 30302-3972
Staff Contact Information
Director for Student Civic Engagement
Ellin McDonough
404-413-1553
emcdonough@gsu.edu
Assistant Director for Student Civic Engagement
Byron Jones
404-413-1552
bjones164@gsu.edu
Coordinator for Student Civic Engagement
JP Peters
404-413-1554
jpeters14@gsu.edu