CCPS: ‘Of the Public, for the Public’

For the past 20 years, the Carolina Center for Public Service (CCPS) has elevated the University’s commitment to meeting the needs of North Carolinians. 

This year we celebrate some of the many accomplishments, contributions and partnerships that make public service possible at Carolina and beyond. At CCPS, “Of the Public, for the Public,” leads the way to community service and engagement that makes an impact.

In addition to supporting community-engaged research, the CCPS Disaster Relief Fund provides direct disaster relief to North Carolina communities. After Hurricane Florence, through community-wide efforts coordinated by CCPS in collaboration with Tar Heel Athletics, 90,000 pounds of donated food and supplies were delivered to areas in and around New Bern, Lumberton, Bolton and Clinton.

Promoting Research, Relief and Recovery

CCPS manages a disaster relief fund to support hurricane recovery efforts in North Carolina. Grants support relief trips and recovery projects by Carolina students, staff and faculty working with local partners to address community needs. Grant recipient Diamond Holloman, a Ph.D. student in the UNC College of Arts & Science’s Environment, Ecology and Energy Program, and her team are working with Lumberton community members to address the disproportionate support and vulnerabilities communities of color experience after hurricanes. Diamond’s initial research findings show that despite significant gaps in disaster relief assistance, communities of color remain resilient and focused on rebuilding.

Catalyzing Change

The Buckley Public Service Scholars program provides Carolina undergraduate students the opportunity to make a positive impact through service. BPSS challenges participants to expand their understanding of service, connect academic and community-based experiences and build their capacity to help effect change. In the past 16 years, 10,492 students have participated in BPSS programming, contributing 2.2 million hours of service addressing a multitude of issues ranging from disaster relief and recovery to access to healthy food and nutritional education. 

Giving Back

APPLES Service-Learning connects academic learning to public service through a variety of programs, including “alternative breaks.” Undergraduate students give up their spring, fall and winter breaks to give back across the state. Each trip is focused on a social issue — such as violence prevention or refugee assistance — so students gain awareness while providing direct service to communities in need. To date, 34,387 undergraduate students have participated in APPLES programming, taken 1,372 service-learning courses and committed more than 1.3 million hours to service-learning.

Connecting Carolina and Communities

Thorp Faculty Engaged Scholars receive funding and other resources to advance their research and community-engaged scholarship. Since 2007, 63 faculty members representing 28 departments at Carolina have participated in the program — including UNC School of Nursing’s Jada Brooks ’05 (M.P.H.). Jada is partnering with the Lumbee Tribe and Public Schools of Robeson County to engage preadolescents in a culturally tailored intertribal talking circle designed to address priorities and needs identified by the tribal community.