Aiyana Egins acknowledges the significance of community engagement.
As the organizer of Experience UGA, Egins dedicates considerable time demonstrating the value of this initiative to undergraduate scholars. Every year, the program collaborates with schools, colleges, and departments throughout the university to conduct educational field trips for students of all grades in the Clarke County School District, enabling them to explore various locations across UGA’s campus.
Egins has been involved in nonprofit activities for most of her life. Hailing from a lineage of nonprofit professionals, she recognized the influence of this sector early on. Yet, her own encounters in the field ignited her passion to persist in this vocation.
“I would attribute it to my family, observing them actively engaged in these fields,” Egins remarked. “But after participating in community service with nonprofits, I realized this was a path I wished to pursue.”
Egins obtained a bachelor’s degree in music from Wesleyan College. During this period, she contributed to managing and organizing volunteer initiatives as an intern for Cool Girls Inc., an organization that provides after-school life skills programs for middle and high school girls. Upon completion of her degree, she understood her desire to remain within the nonprofit landscape.
“I discovered Experience UGA here in the Office of Service-Learning,” Egins stated. “Recognizing that they served K-12 students and collaborated with undergraduate scholars at the university truly resonated with me.”
Now, nearly four years into her role, she finds that each day presents unique experiences. Every field trip transports Clarke County students to a distinct location at UGA. One day, Egins might escort a group to a gallery in the Special Collections Libraries, while the following day could involve exploring artistic expression in the Fine Arts Theatre.
“When I initially arrived, I was amazed by the variety of opportunities available on this campus,” Egins expressed. “I cherish the chance to share that with aspiring students.”
Experience UGA program organizer Aiyana Egins uses a two-way radio to converse with her student ambassadors as they welcome school buses from Clarke Central High School entering the Tate Student Center parking area during a recent Experience UGA field trip. (Photo by Dorothy Kozlowski/UGA)
Egins is accountable for training ambassadors, a team of undergraduate and graduate students throughout the university volunteering for the program by facilitating various field trips.
Starting in the spring semester, a new cohort will conduct the first series of field trips for the year. Students earn experiential learning credits over two semesters as they cultivate leadership abilities and engage with the local community.
“We want our ambassadors to interact with the community and gain insight into the underlying factors that make this partnership so essential,” Egins stated.
She also emphasizes the necessity for ambassadors to grasp the significance of transferable skills. Regardless of their academic major or desired industry post-graduation, their experience at Experience UGA contributes to their professional growth. Graduates of the ambassador program acquire skills in leadership, public speaking, and event planning.
In addition to her role as the coordinator for Experience UGA, Egins is working towards a master’s degree in music therapy, seeking ways to integrate her musical education into her professional endeavors.
“Learning how to connect with others through music is something we practice regularly in my music therapy program,” she mentioned. “We establish specific goals to enhance the quality of life for patients and clients, and my music background aids in achieving these objectives.”
Whenever she finds some downtime from her studies and Experience UGA, Egins enjoys watching films, especially musicals like “Wicked.” She also manages an organization she founded in 2017, You Go Girl Enterprises, which aims to empower young women through seminars, social media, and events.
Throughout her efforts, Egins underscores the necessity of engaging in community service.
“Even if you don’t discover your niche here at Experience UGA, there are numerous opportunities around campus that enable you to participate,” she expressed. “You can assume a leadership role in community service, and you can drive change through that leadership. You can also join a team that is committed to making a positive impact.”
The article Experience UGA coordinator connects Athens community with university first appeared on UGA Today.