The Jones Center for Leadership and Service: Cultivating Tomorrow’s Leaders Today
The Jones Center for Leadership and Service: Cultivating Tomorrow’s Leaders Today
Empowering Students Through Transformational Learning
Recently, we had the pleasure of meeting with Morgan Powers, a Leadership and Service Educational Specialist for the Jones Center for Leadership and Service at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The Jones Center is dedicated to engaging students in experiences that inspire a commitment to socially responsible leadership and service, preparing them to be active change-makers in our society.
A Legacy of Excellence: The Jones Center’s Origins
Established in 2009 through the generous endowment of Clay and Debbie Jones, the Jones Center was named in their honor in 2019. Clay Jones, a distinguished UT alumnus and former Torchbearer, credits much of his success to the leadership development he received at the university. The Torchbearer award is one of the highest honors a UT student can achieve, recognizing excellence in academic performance and dedication to service. The Jones Center continues this legacy by fostering leadership and service among students.
Beliefs and Principles That Drive the Center
The Jones Center operates on key beliefs about leadership and service:
Leadership as a Journey: Leadership is an ongoing reflection on one’s experiences and growth. It’s about leveraging strengths and continually improving. Leadership is accessible to everyone and is a learned skill set, not a positional trait.
Service with Impact: Service should be mutually beneficial, providing meaningful outcomes for students and community partners. It involves understanding community needs and reflecting on experiences to connect with a larger purpose.
Programs That Make a Difference
The Jones Center offers several impactful programs:
IGNITE: This initiative, started in 2001, helps incoming students get involved in volunteering and leadership through events and excursions, fostering early connections and engagement.
VOLbreaks Program: Students participate in community learning experiences in various locations, such as Savannah and Asheville, during school breaks.
Scheduled Volunteer Days of Service: Events like MLK Day allow students to volunteer in groups, making a significant impact on local organizations.
Building Strong Community Connections
The Jones Center is committed to promoting a culture of inclusion and respect for diverse opinions and backgrounds. It strives to provide meaningful experiences that are accessible to all students, absorbing most participant expenses and offering scholarships when needed.
Through collaborative partnerships and a focus on personal growth and civic responsibility, the center helps students become socially responsible leaders who understand their impact on the community and society.
Celebrating Student Contributions
Our recent collaboration with the Jones Center has been incredibly rewarding. We’ve benefited from the enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers who have made a significant impact on Sertoma’s programs. Their involvement exemplifies the center’s mission and values.
To learn more about the Jones Center for Leadership and Service and how their programs are shaping future leaders, visit their official website: https://leadserve.utk.edu/.
Join Us in Celebrating Leadership and Service
We invite you to explore the incredible work being done at the Jones Center and see how their commitment to leadership and service aligns with the values we hold dear. Together, we can continue to support and empower the next generation of leaders.
