We believe the world will improve if volunteering, philanthropy and community engagement is social, beneficial and impactful.
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Day 1 of the @Uniservitate Global Symposium VII grounded us in this year’s theme, “Designing maps of hope through solidarity service-learning.” Richard Brosse of Porticus reminded us that as educators, we have a responsibility to be servants of hope. In a world that keeps shifting under our feet, hope isn’t a slogan or a refusal to see the darkness. Service-learning asks us to step out of theory and work alongside real people on real challenges, and that’s where the fog of superiority starts to clear. A common thread through the day is that excellence in education isn’t complete until it contributes to the common good.
The morning brought research updates from the academic board on how network members are institutionalizing service-learning, how service-learning shapes students’ spiritual formation, and what a sustainable future for the Uniservitate network could look like.
In the afternoon, we heard from several 2026 Uniservitate Award winners:
📍@BU_News, whose English Writing students build storytelling and research skills by sharing the stories of abandoned children at a youth home in Palestine
📍@uofsandiego’s Youth Transition Campus, a restorative justice program that builds leadership, accountability, and wellness among incarcerated individuals
📍@DePaulU’s Urban Schools Initiative, where teams of undergraduate and graduate students use asset-based community building to co-create solutions with schools, with a focus on student achievement
📍@catolicaporto’s CApS project, a network of 11 European universities building a community of practice around institutionalizing service-learning, community-engaged research, and pedagogical innovation for social responsibility
We closed with a world café, trading ideas on growing service-learning networks, student learning outcomes, sustainable institutional models, and the spiritual transformation students experience through this work.
We celebrated a powerful first day with great food and even better fellowship.
#Uniservitate #ServiceLearning #CommunityEngagement #HigherEd #SolidarityServiceLearning
ALT GivePulse team at the Uniservitate Global Symposium VII.
ALT Uniservitate Global Symposium VII interactive session.
ALT Uniservitate Global Symposium VII attendees visiting our GivePulse booth.
ALT Uniservitate Global Symposium VII attendees at dinner.
Day 2 at @ImaginingAmer #IAGathering2026 was a reminder of how art, culture, technology, and community can come together to help us imagine a more connected and sustainable future.
One highlight was visiting Art in the Garden, brought to life by Third Space Art Collective and @UCD_Arboretum, followed by an incredibly meaningful offsite visit to the Yolo Basin Foundation.
@YoloBasin, we learned about the ecology and cultural history of the wetlands through the storytelling of Wintun/Maidu culture-bearer Diana Almendariz, explored Indigenous traditions and the uses of tule with her daughters Christina Almendariz and Ooti Maxine, and experienced wetland-inspired art by local artists. A powerful reminder that place-based learning is about more than understanding a place. It's about listening to the people, cultures, and communities who have cared for it across generations.
The sessions offered plenty to reflect on, too. From exploring critical looking, embodiment, and community-building in an era of constant AI transition (@montclairstateu and @KeanUniversity), to learning how authentic neighborhood outreach helped grow community composting in Providence (@ZeroWastePVD, @ProvidenceCol), and how artists and designers are building networks for collective climate action (UC Climate Action Arts Network), a common theme emerged: meaningful change takes relationships, creativity, and collaboration.
Always great to catch up with Natalie Furlett (@Campus_Compact), share fellowship and break bread with Tim Eatman (@Rutgers_Camden) and Manda Wittebort, and meet new friends like Sandy Holman (The Culture CO-OP), Sheeva Sabati (@sacstate), and Vajra Watson (@UofRedlands).
These conversations, connections, and shared moments are such a big part of what makes gatherings like this special ❤️
We're sad to leave before the final day of #IAGathering2026, but grateful for the ideas, experiences, and people we'll carry with us.
A heartfelt thank you to @ImaginingAmer, @ucdavis, the regional steering committee, community partners, and sponsors who made this gathering possible.
As IA looks toward its next chapter, congratulations to @penn_state, which will become IA's new host campus in 2027, with its @psuarts_arch, @PSULiberalArts, and @pennstatehhd leading the partnership. Excited to see how this community continues to grow and advance public scholarship, arts, and civic engagement! 👏
Next stop: Castel Gandolfo, Italy, for @uniservitate! 🛫🇮🇹 Looking forward to continuing the conversations around service-learning, community engagement, and how we learn and build a better future together. @Clayssdigital
#PublicScholarship #CommunityEngagement #ArtsAndHumanities #ServiceLearning #ArtForChange #CommunityEngagedResearch #Volunteerism #ExperientialLearning #ArtsEquity #InterdisciplinaryLearning #EducationJustice
ALT Left: George standing in front of a butterfly mural. Right: Group picture of attendees standing outside in a garden.
ALT Two group pictures outside during an interactive activity and a craft made with sticks and straw
ALT Four images of presentations on AI, Scaling Community Compost, Climate Action Arts Network, and Art in the Garden
ALT Two group pictures with friends and colleagues out enjoying a meal together
Day 1 at @ImaginingAmer #IAGathering2026 was a whirlwind of creativity, connection, and inspiring conversations at @ucdavis!
We landed and went straight into presenting alongside Kim Yasuda (UCSB Department of Art), Susan Drange, and Elena Yu on "Creating an Arts Equity Commons with Artists in Communities of Practice Residencies @ucsantabarbara." We had a great discussion about the value of interdisciplinary experiences, how artists and other disciplines can learn from one another, and why thoughtful evaluation matters in understanding and strengthening this work.
There were so many other highlights, including @penn_state's The Language of Unlearning, drawing lessons from the Andes to the Ecuadorian Amazon, and @NMSU's Along the River and to the Wall, exploring place-based public humanities and collective spirit in the borderlands. It was especially meaningful to reconnect with this work and reflect on the learning and fellowship with Ardovino's Desert Crossing after experiencing it firsthand at last year's #IAGathering2025
It was also wonderful to spend time with IA founder Julie Ellison and celebrate this year's awardees: Jeanelle Hope, recipient of the Julie Ellison Vision Award, and Kimberly Dean-Anderson (Bonner Center for Civic Engagement, @urichmond), recipient of the Randy Martin Spirit Award. Congratulations as well to the IA Publicly Active Graduate (PAGE) Fellows and IA/Joy of Giving Something Undergraduate Student Fellows! Grateful to the @acls1919 for supporting this publicly engaged scholarship reception and helping nurture the next generation of changemakers
From creative experiences and workshops to reconnecting with friends and colleagues like Tim Eatman at @RutgersU, Tim Castillo at @NMSU, Erica and Joseph at @UMassAmherst, Paul Schadewald @BTtoPractice, and Erica Kohl-Arenas at @ucdavis, the best part of gatherings like this is the people who keep inspiring the work.
We carried that energy into the evening reception and an incredible performance by @LilaDowns. What a way to close out Day 1!
A big thank you to @ImaginingAmer, @ucdavis, the UC Davis Provost's Office, @UCDavisLibrary, @UCDavisGlobal, @MondaviCenter, @manettishrem, the @CityofDavis, and all the generous sponsors and partners, including our team at GivePulse, who help make this gathering possible.
Excited to carry these conversations, connections, and creative energy into Day 2!
#PublicScholarship #CommunityEngagement #ArtsAndHumanities #ServiceLearning #RestorativeJustice #BilingualPride #ArtForChange #CommunityEngagedResearch #Volunteerism #ExperientialLearning #ArtsEquity #InterdisciplinaryLearning
ALT Group selfie at the Imagining America Conference
ALT Three images show pictures with friends and colleagues
ALT Four images from presentations, performances, and conversations throughout the conference
ALT Four images of presentations throughout the Imagining America conference
Today on @UN Day, we mark the anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945. 🌍
It is a moment to celebrate our shared humanity and reaffirm our commitment to peace, human rights, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)- @SDGaction.
The 17 SDGs give the world a shared roadmap for a more just, healthy, and sustainable future. At GivePulse, we believe every act of service moves us closer to it. That’s why the SDGs are built into our platform, so you can align initiatives, opportunities, and fundraisers to the goals that matter most and show how local action drives global impact.
How will you drive action in your community today? Share your stories below!
#UnitedNationsDay #GlobalUnity #SDGs #GlobalGoals @SDG2030
Changes are coming to Medicaid and SNAP benefits in January 2027! 🚨
Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, many adults on Medicaid and SNAP will need to show proof of approximately 80 hours per month of work, school, training, or volunteering to maintain their coverage.
Here’s why accurate record-keeping is more critical than ever:
For Volunteers: Missing documentation or lost informal records can risk your coverage.
For Nonprofits & Coordinators: Manual tracking takes crucial staff time away from your core mission.
Whether you’re a volunteer tracking hours or an organization providing opportunities, GivePulse helps document and verify volunteer hours seamlessly so every effort counts.
💡 Be prepared before the changes take effect!
✅ Check with your state agency to learn what proof they accept.
🌐 Check out our latest posts covering what changed, why a verified record matters, and how nonprofits can set up hour verification, mobile clock-in, and service transcripts on GivePulse before Medicaid's requirements take effect by January 2027.
❗Rules vary by state, so volunteers should confirm details with their caseworker.
Read more:gvpulse.com/4yOyfhu
📌 Save this post to stay informed!
ALT "New Work Requirements for Medicaid & SNAP: What’s Changing and Who Could Be Affected?"
ALT The Short Version of What Changed: Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, many adults on Medicaid and SNAP need to show about 80 hours a month of work, school, training, or volunteering to keep their benefits. States decide what proof they'll accept.
ALT Why the Record Matters As Much As the Hours: Informal records get lost, letters rely on memory, and coordinators move on. For volunteers, missing paperwork can mean missing coverage. For nonprofits, every letter takes staff time away from their mission.
ALT Why GivePulse is built for this moment: Organizations have long trusted GivePulse to document and verify volunteer hours, from university service-learning to corporate volunteer programs.
Charleston, thank you for a meaningful few days of leadership, service, and great company! 🇺🇸
It was a privilege to celebrate the ribbon-cutting for The Krause School of Leadership and Ethics and the Krause Center for Leadership Development, made possible through the generosity of Bill and Gay Krause. Seeing the new space and imagining how leadership, ethics, service-learning, and experiential learning will come to life here was exciting.
It was inspiring to learn more about the people and support that helped make this vision possible over the past 20+ years.
A special thank you to everyone at @Citadel1842 and the Krause Center for Leadership and Ethics, especially Dean Dr. Tracey H. Sigler, Christina Soyden, and Dr. Conway Saylor. We're grateful for the warm welcome and the opportunity to connect with so many people committed to developing principled leaders.
We were also fortunate to spend time with an incredible group of Citadel alumni whose generosity has helped bring so many programs and initiatives to life. Hearing their ambitions for the next chapter, including a larger capital campaign, was a powerful reminder that building lasting institutions takes vision, investment, and a community willing to keep showing up.
And of course, it wouldn't be a Charleston trip without some good old-fashioned BBQ and oyster shucking! 🦪
We're leaving grateful for the people, the stories, and the shared commitment to developing leaders who serve with integrity and make a difference in their communities. @CityCharleston
Today, we're heading to California for #IAGathering2026 @ImaginingAmer, hosted by @ucdavis, where CEO-George Luc will be presenting alongside Kim Yasuda, Susan Drange, and Elena Yu on “Creating an Arts Equity Commons with Artists in Communities of Practice Residencies @UCSCArtDept @ucsantabarbara.
From leadership and service in Charleston to arts, equity, and community-engaged scholarship in California, we're looking forward to continuing the conversations about how we build stronger communities together ✈️
Thank you, Charleston and The Citadel, for a wonderful visit. Looking forward to seeing what comes next!
#Leadership #Ethics #ServiceLearning #CommunityEngagement #ExperientialLearning #ImaginingAmerica #ArtsEquity #PublicScholarship #CivicEngagement #VolunteerEngagement #VolunteerManagement #culturalorganizing #artivist
ALT George celebrating the ribbon cutting for The Krause School of Leadership and Ethics and the Krause Center for Leadership Development.
ALT George Luc in a group picture with Citadel friends.
ALT George Luc in a group picture with Citadel friends.
What does leadership look like when we put it into practice? 🇺🇲
Yesterday, we joined Christina Soyden, Colonel Dremann, Dr. Conway Saylor and the Citadel community for Leadership Day, an opportunity to see leadership development come to life through service, community partnerships, and reflection.
We then had the opportunity to volunteer alongside Dr. Saylor and the cadets at @eccocharleston, helping sort and distribute USDA-donated food to support the local community. We even wore pink hats in support of breast cancer awareness! 💗 A meaningful reminder that caring for our communities takes many forms, from meeting immediate needs to raising awareness for causes that affect so many families.
It was also a great reminder that community impact depends on a broader network of organizations, public resources, and people working together. From food access efforts supported by @usdagov to the wider networks connected with @feedingamerica, @togethersc, and @TridentUWay, collaboration helps strengthen the communities we all call home. GivePulse is proud to collaborate with Trident United Way.
We also visited Mamie P. Whitesides Elementary School, where cadets worked with elementary students to explore the idea of heroes and write letters to their own favorite heroes. A wonderful reminder that leadership isn't just about what we accomplish ourselves, but how we encourage and invest in others.
One particularly meaningful part of the day was seeing 63 freshman teams debrief and reflect on their experiences. Service matters, and so does creating space for students to connect those experiences to what they learn, how they lead, and how they contribute to their communities.
We're especially grateful to Christina Soyden and Dr. Conway Saylor for their friendship, partnership, and warm hospitality to be welcomed into Charleston. Thank you both for continuing to believe in this work and for helping institutions strengthen their ability to serve their communities and fulfill their public mission.
The Citadel community was an early supporter of our work, and relationships like these remind me how much the people who believe in us early can shape what we build and contribute for years to come. ❤️
Thank you to @citadel1842, Citadel Krause Center, the cadets, and all the community partners who made the day so meaningful.
Looking forward to continuing the celebrations today at the ribbon cutting for The Krause School of Leadership and Ethics and the Krause Center for Leadership and Ethics. Excited to celebrate this investment in developing principled leaders and strengthening the impact they can have on their communities.
#TheCitadel #TheKrauseCenter #LeadershipDay #ServiceLearning #CommunityEngagement #CommunityPartnerships #BreastCancerAwareness #BreastCancerAwarenessMonth
ALT Volunteering with cadets.
ALT George volunteering with cadets.
ALT George volunteering with cadets.
So great to have joined the Chicagoland volunteer engagement community @DuPageCAS host site @CityOfWheaton for the 2026 Volunteer Management Hybrid Conference! 🙌
It was wonderful connecting with leaders from @naperlib, @peoplesrc, @onetailatatime, @st_sophias, and so many more to learn how we can better support our communities.
The day started with our host Angela Williamson, CVA, of Volunteer Engagement Accelerator and a quote that set the tone for everything that followed: “People stay when they know they belong.”
Jessica Pang-Parks, CVA, of JPP Consulting challenged us to look at the “nostalgic structures” that keep outdated processes in place. One message really stuck with us: it’s not that no one wants to volunteer anymore; our strategies for engaging them haven’t kept up.
Veronica Torres Deally walked us through AI tools that can lighten the load, while reminding everyone that volunteer leaders are the heartbeat of their organizations.
Back at our host site, Laura @DuPageCAS led an interactive exercise in being intentional about where technology helps and where human connection is irreplaceable.
In the afternoon, Michele Wiesner, MPA, CVA, @HireHeroesUSA encouraged us to make better use of the data we already have, guiding us through building an impact report and keeping data engaging as part of strategic planning.
Bec Treby at @RMHGlobal South East Queensland shared a future-proofing framework built on systems, strategies, and support, with recruitment insights and volunteer voice at the center.
The closing panel brought it all home: data helps everyone understand their impact, common purpose is the “why” behind the work, and honest feedback only happens in environments built for it.
A few themes came up again and again: intentionally building belonging and accessibility, removing barriers to entry while building for sustainability, treating volunteers as true partners to the organizations and communities they serve, and leaning on one another, because we’re better together. Most of all, we were asked to stay curious and keep asking, “How can we say yes?”
That question is at the heart of what we do at GivePulse. We build tools that help organizations remove barriers, connect people to meaningful service, and show the impact of their work, so more communities can say yes.
Huge shout-out to Laura and the DuPage County Animal Services team for hosting and bringing this community of volunteer management professionals together to connect and collaborate!
Thank you also to AL!VE, @VMPC_Canada, the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA), and @DuPageCAS for bringing this community together.
#VMHC2026 #VolunteerEngagement #CommunityEngagement #VolunteerManagement #Volunteerism
ALT Group selfie with volunteer management professionals at DuPage County Animal Services
ALT VMHC attendees standing at tables talking and networking during the conference
ALT Interactive group exercise at the VMHC led by Laura from DuPage County Animal Services
ALT Panel conversation live at the VMHC
A full circle moment in Charleston ❤️
More than 13 years ago, at George’s very first @IARSLCE conference, he met Dr. Conway Saylor and found her and The Citadel community as early supporters of GivePulse.
We’re especially thankful for Dr. Saylor and Christina Soyden, who have been incredible partners, friends, and collaborators. We’re grateful for the way they've continued to believe in this work and help institutions strengthen their ability to serve their communities and fulfill their public mission.
This morning, we're up bright and early at @citadel1842 for Leadership Day with the Citadel Krause Center, joining cadets and community partners, including East Cooper Community Outreach and Whitesides Elementary, for a day of service, learning, and reflection.
It's special to return to a place connected to those early days and to see leadership development and community engagement continuing to bring people together. Excited to spend the day in @CityCharleston.
Grateful for the people who believe in you early, the relationships that endure, and the opportunity to keep learning and building alongside others. Let's get started!
#TheCitadel #TheKrauseCenter #LeadershipDay #ServiceLearning #CommunityEngagement #VolunteerEngagement #VolunteerManagement #DayofService #ServiceBeforeSelf #LeadershipInAction #CitadelCadets
ALT Citadel Cadets.
ALT George selfie at Citadel.
ALT Citadel cadets on the lawn.
ALT Citadel- Leadership Day.
What an inspiring weekend at #SLCE2026 in Washington, DC!
Grateful to @TransformMidA, @AmericanU (AU), and AU Center for Leadership & Community Engagement for bringing together educators, students, and community partners around this year’s theme: Co-Creating Change: Collaborative Community Partnerships.
We’re grateful to support and sponsor this gathering and to see fellow campus partners and sponsors like @carrollcc and AU D.C. Community Impact Scholars, investing in the future of service-learning and civic engagement.
Loved learning from Natalie Hopkinson about her work with Ronald Moten to create The Go-Go Museum & Cafe and the story of Go-Go becoming the Official Music of Washington, DC. A powerful reminder of how culture, identity, and community voices shape civic life and belonging right here in the District! @washingtondc @DCGovWeb
Also enjoyed Pathways to Partnership: Cultivating Collaborations through Programming with Shannon Cheek and Sha-Nel Henderson, and Sharing Our Locations: Designing Place-Based Learning Experiences that Deepen Community Engagement with Amanda Harrison and Amanda Choutka of @AmericanU. Both offered valuable perspectives on building meaningful connections between campuses and communities.
The poster sessions were another highlight, showcasing the thoughtful research, creative ideas, and community-engaged work of students and faculty advancing service-learning and civic engagement.
One of the best parts of conferences is the people! So great connecting with students from @JohnsHopkins @jhusource and fellow changemakers, including Madeline Yates, Nicki Fiocco, Saagar Gupta, Bridget Trogden, Jennifer Domagal-Goldman @civicnation, Deon Avery, and so many more!
At @GivePulse, we believe lasting impact comes from building relationships, creating opportunities for students to learn alongside communities, and giving institutions and partners the infrastructure to collaborate more effectively.
Here's to continuing to co-create change, strengthen partnerships, and celebrate the people and places that make our communities thrive!
#WashingtonDC #CommunityEngagement #ServiceLearning #CivicEngagement #ExperientialLearning #PlaceBasedLearning #CommunityPartnerships #SocialImpact #VolunteerEngagement #VolunteerManagement
ALT Collage of wonderful moments at the 2026 SLCE conference!
ALT Collage of wonderful moments at the 2026 SLCE conference!
ALT Group picture of George and students from various U.S colleges.
From meaningful conversations to bold ideas, what a way to close out @univofdayton-Fitz Center’s annual Imagining Community Symposium!
This morning, we jumped right into sessions!
The State of Black Dayton Report — Resilience and Renewal: Charting the Future for Black Dayton
Together, we discussed actionable steps to address findings from @MVUL1’s State of Black Dayton Report over the next 90 days.
Plenary Session — Engaging Dayton Youth in Shaping the World They Want to Live in Today
Connected with local leaders passionate about empowering young people to shape their communities.
Mock Congress With Teeth: Going From Practice to Policy Victories
An inspiring session led by youth from Meadowdale CTC, demonstrating the power of young people to turn ideas into action.
Our Voices, Our Rights, Our Future: A Community Working Session & Conversation
Identified actionable next steps inspired by @duhrmovement’s Community Collaborative Report.
Facilitating Through Friction: Navigating Resistance to Sustain Civic Hope
Explored practical ways to navigate resistance and foster healthy, constructive dialogue.
The day wrapped up with a truly inspiring keynote session given by, interdisciplinary scholar and practitioner of deliberative democracy, civic education, and group communication, Dr. @timothyjshaffer. Shaffer provided us with actionable insights on dealing with differences, effective dialogue, democracy and the importance of creating and maintaining strong social ties to build the beautiful society we all would like to live in.
At GivePulse, we’re proud to be part of spaces like these, where community leaders, educators, youth, and changemakers come together to imagine what’s possible and turn shared ideas into action. We’re grateful for our continued collaboration with the Fitz Center at the University of Dayton and @DUHRmovement, and look forward to building on this work together to strengthen civic engagement, foster belonging, and create lasting community impact.
Leaving the Imagining Community Symposium with renewed hope and a vision for what’s possible.
#CivicHope #CommunityEngagement #Belonging #CivicEducation #DeliberativeDemocracy #SocialTies #ImaginingCommunity #GivePulse
ALT Imagining Communities Symposium Sessions!
ALT Imagining Communities Symposium Sessions!
Two days at @texasvmc #TVMC2026 brought big energy, real empathy, and so many meaningful connections!
This year’s theme, Bridges Beyond Boundaries, showed up in every room, and one message kept rising to the top: volunteerism works best when we do it together.
Day 1 started by stepping into someone else’s shoes with @Vol_Now’s new immersive learning tool, The Impact Grid, exploring the perspectives of Opportunity Youth and the organizations that serve them. Cimajie Best’s cross-sector session challenged us to look beyond our own lane: build bridges, ask for help, and lean into collaboration.
A favorite moment? At TVMC’s first-ever Youth Track, a high school student we worked with during the Impact Grid simulation stopped by to learn about GivePulse and explore volunteer and internship possibilities. That’s the future of this work!
Day 2 brought Nikki Jordan’s “Built in 60 Seconds” session on the power of active listening, keynote speaker Josh Hart, Shelby Brandt shared how @spcaoftexas and @uplifteducation built an equitable youth workforce pipeline together, and our very own Lindsey Payne presented From Signing Up to Showing Up: Making Volunteering Accessible!
Grateful to @Vol_Now for presenting, @UTDallasAlumni and @UT_Dallas for hosting, Lyda Hill Philanthropies for supporting the Youth Track, and the @texasvmc Planning Committee.
GivePulse is proud to show up for the volunteer leaders who power our communities. 💙
#TVMC #TVMC2027 #VolunteerPower #VolunteerManagement #Volunteerism #CommunityEngagement #Nonprofit #CommunityImpact @CityOfDallas @visit_dallas
ALT GivePulse team member, Lindsey, on stage at TVMC presenting a workshop on creating accessible volunteer opportunities
ALT GivePulse team member, Sophia, at the GivePulse booth talking to attendees
ALT Lindsey at the GivePulse booth talking to a student about the GivePulse platform to discover volunteer opportunities in their area
ALT Four people on stage for a discussion at TVMC
What a day it was at @univofdayton @udfclc’s annual Imagining Community Symposium!
This year’s theme, Civic Hope, kicked off with an inspiring message from Dayton Mayor Shenise Turner-Sloss (@turnersloss): Hope is a decision!
Hope isn’t just an optimistic feeling. It’s a choice that calls us to action, to imagine what’s possible, and to build a better future together. Even when the work feels heavy, hope is essential to our collective future.
The afternoon was filled with reconnecting with friends and colleagues, thought-provoking conversations about civic hope and belonging, and inspiring sessions exploring how we turn imagination into action.
Every session was incredible, but these standouts truly made a lasting impression on us:
- If This World Were Mine: Moral Courage as a Form of Radical Imagination, believing in and building what doesn’t yet exist.
- The Belonging Project- Performance art by 2025 Poet Laureate for the @cityofdayton, Sierra Leone, a multidisciplinary writer, playwright, and teaching artist who bridges performing arts and social discourse.
- The Tavern, the Campfire and the City: Tabletop Roleplaying Games and the Practice of Belonging, a fun Dungeons & Dragons-themed game teaching belonging.
- You Can Just Do Stuff: Hope as a Practice, Not a Feeling.
- Addressing Barriers to Health Equity Through Urban Green Space Visitation Patterns and Accessibility Among Marginalized Communities.
We left reminded that hope is something we practice, belonging is something we build, and civic change begins with action.
Excited to keep this momentum going and see where these ideas take us today!
#CivicHope #CommunityEngagement #Belonging #CivicEngagement #GivePulse #PublicGood #EngagedScholarship
ALT Picture of GivePulse team member, Ndeye, at the University of Dayton with a colleague.
ALT Two images showing a group of people sitting in front of an audience with images projected behind them
ALT Image collage of sessions throughout the day on addressing barriers to health equity, and more.
Day 2 at #TACUSPA2026 brought big ideas, bold conversations, and incredible connections!
From building stronger intergenerational teams to reimagining career readiness, leveraging AI and leading through change, one theme kept rising to the top: people are at the heart of everything we do in higher education.
Dr. Justin McLaughlin challenged us to replace assumptions with curiosity and see generational differences as opportunities for collaboration. Other sessions explored how intentional technology, meaningful reflection, and competency-based learning strengthen career readiness, and how making the hidden curriculum visible helps first-generation students thrive.
We also dug into AI with purpose: streamlining administrative work so student affairs professionals have more time for what matters most, connecting with students.
Dr. Keith Edwards and the Student Affairs NOW panel reminded us that leadership isn’t a title. It’s about building trust, embracing change, and creating opportunities for others to grow.
Congratulations to this year’s award recipients!
- Outstanding New Professional Award: Julian Samarripas, @Trinity_U
- Mid-Level Student Affairs Professional Award: Dr. La’Cresha Moore, @unthealth
- Dissertation of the Year Award: Dr. Shanté Hearst, @tamu
- Faculty Member of the Year Award: Dr. Gabriela Silvestre, @samhoustonstate
- Dr. Adam Peck Research Development Grant: Molly Crespo, @lamaruniversity
- James E. Caswell Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Daniel Maxwell
We also celebrated the Thomas Moorman Fellows, graduate scholarship recipients, and innovative research advancing student success, experiential learning, and career readiness.
Dr. Maxwell's reflections on nearly four decades in student affairs offered a powerful reminder that our greatest impact isn't measured by awards, but by the lives we touch, the relationships we build, and the opportunities we create for others.
It was great to spend more time with Kim and Texas A&M Community Engagement, including the newly formed #AggielandServes Ambassadors led by student leaders Ella Claire and Tanya. Gig ’em, Aggies! We’re looking forward to partnering with, volunteering with, and serving alongside @tamu, @cityofcs, @CityofBryan, and the broader Brazos County community.
Plus, we got the chance to catch up with @TACUSPA leaders Shelby Hearn and Dr. Lacey Folsom, and close the day with food and fellowship at the President’s Reception, hosted by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs at Texas A&M.
Our biggest takeaway? Technology can help us scale our work, but it’s the relationships, experiences, and opportunities we create that drive meaningful impact. We’re proud to be part of a community committed to engagement, belonging, and student success.
At GivePulse, we're energized by the incredible work happening across campuses and proud to be part of a community committed to engagement, belonging, and student success.
Here's to more learning, collaboration, and turning great ideas into action!
#TACUSPA #GivePulse #StudentAffairs #HigherEd #StudentSuccess #ExperientialLearning #CommunityEngagement
ALT Selfie of George, Kim, and the Aggieland Serves GivePulse Ambassadors!
ALT Picture of two colleagues, friends and leaders at tacuspa, Shelby Hearn and Dr. Lacey Folsom
ALT Selfie of Tiff and Heriberto!
ALT TACUSPA award recipients on stage posing for a picture
Day 1 of #TACUSPA2026 brought the connections, inspiration, and Aggie spirit!
Our day began with campus and community partnerships. We visited Kim Scott and Charles Carlson at Texas A&M Community Engagement and @TAMU, then joined an already scheduled GivePulse Regional Growth Lab meeting with a few members of our team about our ongoing work supporting @VisitCSTX, @CityofBryan, and the broader @BrazosCountyTX community. When student affairs, campus engagement, and community partnerships work together, campus priorities and local needs can meet in powerful ways. That's the work we love to support.
Then it was on to the conference. Great fellowship and time with so many wonderful people across @TACUSPA!
A special shoutout to just a few of the friends and colleagues we spent time with:
- Shelby Hearn, Board President, GCLL, @AggiesByTheSea
- Lisa, @UIWcampusengage @uiwcardinals
- LT and Jessica, @UTSAengaged @UTSA
- Heriberto and Nadia, @EPCCCampusLife @EPCCNews
- Matt, @MSUTexas
- Becky, @utrgv
These are just a few of the many great people we got the chance to connect with. Thank you to everyone who has made this conference so meaningful!
Thank you to College Station for the warm welcome, and to the Texas A&M Yell Leaders for sharing Aggie traditions and teaching us some of Texas A&M's hallmark yells. The energy, hospitality, and sense of belonging are what make gatherings like this so memorable.
Dr. Kim E. Dooley (@TAMU) opened the conference with a keynote on leading with courage and authenticity. Her takeaway: be willing, lead with courage, and live with authenticity. It's a message that speaks to showing up for students, colleagues, and communities.
Inspiration is just the beginning. Real leadership happens when we take what we've learned, bring it back to our campuses and communities, and turn it into action.
At GivePulse, we're especially energized by the shared commitment to connecting campuses, students, and communities through meaningful engagement.
Thank you, TACUSPA! 💙
#TACUSPA2026 #TACUSPA #StudentAffairs #NASPA #HigherEd #StudentEngagement #CommunityEngagement #ServiceLearning #PublicService #Volunteerism #CampusCommunityPartnerships #Aggies #CollegeStation
ALT Group selfie with George, Kim, and Charles with members of the GivePulse team on a video call.
ALT Two group pictures with friends and colleagues at TACUSPA
ALT Two group pictures with friends and colleagues at TACUSPA
ALT Left: George standing in front of a staircase holding TAMU logo magnets. Right: Yell Leaders showing attendees some of the Texas A&M's hallmark yells!