Glen Oaks nursing club completes 250+ service hours during fall semester
Launched in winter 2024 and open to all nursing students, the club aims to instill a strong sense of civic responsibility while offering opportunities to develop leadership and teamwork skills. This fall, 36 students participated, with 25 meeting the eight-hour-per-semester service requirement.
Students in the Glen Oaks Community College (GOCC) Student Nurse Service Club (SNSC) completed more than 250 hours of community service during the fall 2025 semester, volunteering with more than 30 community organizations across Southwest Michigan.
Launched in winter 2024 and open to all nursing students, the club aims to instill a strong sense of civic responsibility while offering opportunities to develop leadership and teamwork skills. This fall, 36 students participated, with 25 meeting the eight-hour-per-semester service requirement.
“We created this club with hopes of sharing our love of service with our students and creating a positive impact in our local community,” said Melissa Blair, MSN, RN, nursing faculty member and club co-advisor. “It has been truly inspiring to see them embrace the mission and step up to make a difference.”
Students selected their service activities based on their interests and availability. Each project was preapproved by one of the club’s faculty advisors, Melissa Blair or Lisa Cripe, MSN, RN, also a member of the GOCC nursing faculty.
The following are some of the service sites and community initiatives supported by students:
- American Red Cross blood drives
- Versiti blood drives
- Share Center in Battle Creek
- MDOT highway cleanup
- Loads of Love in Three Rivers
- Waters of LaGrange
- Sturgis High School athletics
- GOCC/BACC high school visit to Nursing & Allied Health
- Holy Angels
- St. Joseph County Grange Fair
- Meals from Michiana
- Community Symphonic Band (Sturgis High School)
- Branch County Humane Society
- GOCC Campus Cupboard
- Branch County Senior Health Fair
- Constantine MYWAY
- Radiant Life Church
- Eastwood Santa Shop
- GOCC SNSC shirt fundraiser
- Congress Elementary School
- Centreville High School Health Science CTE observation
- Brighton Chapel Church home visits
- GOCC Adopt A Student for the Holidays
- South Michigan Food Bank
- Branch County Coalition Against Domestic Violence
- Rooted of St. Joseph County
- Commission on Aging
- Pregnancy Help Line
Club members say their involvement has already shaped their outlook.
“As future nurses, we’re supposed to have empathy, respect and compassion. What better way to show we care than by volunteering our time to those in need?” said student member Jordan.
“Knowing I can make a difference makes me happy, and I’ll keep giving back even after meeting my service requirements,” added fellow member Kia. “Thank you for giving us a way to support our communities.”
Students manage club responsibilities and track their service hours through Canvas, the college’s learning management system. Officers are elected at the beginning of each academic year, and the club is open to all nursing students in good academic standing.
“This club reflects our mission at Glen Oaks to empower learners and support community needs through innovative, student-centered opportunities,” said Dr. Sara Birch, dean of health sciences. “We’re proud of these students for leading with compassion.”
The club welcomes community suggestions for future volunteer projects. For more information, contact faculty members Melissa Blair at mblair@glenoaks.edu or Lisa Cripe at lcripe@glenoaks.edu.
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