Junior Achievement USA (JA) recognized Dalton State College with a Bronze U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award for 2022-2023 in recognition of 1,500 hours or more of volunteer service, an increase of 500 hours from the previous year. Mallory Safley, assistant director for career and professional development and one of several faculty who integrate volunteer service into course curriculum, accepted the award on behalf of Dalton State at the JA Volunteer Summit in Washington, D.C., on June 11.
Safley, who serves on the Junior Achievement Advisory Board for Northwest Georgia and assists as a point of contact for volunteer efforts, says the award is an honor for Dalton State and highlights the resume-building and networking opportunities the college provides students.
“By volunteering, these Roadrunners are helping the youth of their community, while also building necessary leadership, communication and team-building skills that will support their success in their future careers,” Safley said. “Volunteering with JA also allows our students to network and build their connections with local employers, who are also community-focused and possess the same values. I am so proud of our students, who are the real MVPs of this award.”
Dalton State students, faculty and staff contributed a total of 2,685 hours at the JA Discovery Center of Greater Dalton in 2022-2023. This is the second consecutive year that Dalton State has been recognized with this prestigious award.
“Volunteers play an integral part in the delivery of Junior Achievement’s learning experiences,” Jack Kosakowski, president and CEO of Junior Achievement USA, said. “We are grateful for the role these partners play in helping Junior Achievement pursue its mission of inspiring and preparing young people for success through the involvement of volunteer mentors. The organizations we honor with the U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award are responsible for positively impacting the lives of millions of young people and we appreciate their commitment to making a positive difference in countless communities throughout the nation.”
The U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award is a presidential recognition program created by the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation for individuals and organizations who contribute a significant amount of time to volunteer service.
