The University of Southern Mississippi held the USM Community Connect Fair on Thursday, Jan. 20, bringing students and community organizations together to promote collaboration, research, and volunteer opportunities.
Hosted by the Center for Community Engagement and the Gulf Scholars Program, the fair took place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Cook Union lobby on the Hattiesburg campus. The event offered students the chance to engage with various community organizations and university resources, including the Drapeau Center for Undergraduate Research.
Participants explored opportunities for volunteer work, internships, and research projects aimed at benefiting the Gulf South region. Organizations such as the Family YMCA and Mississippi Votes were among the community partners present to connect with students.
“This is the partnership between the Gulf Scholars Program on the Southern Miss Gulf Coast Program and the Center for Community Engagement here on campus,” said Christy Kayser, director of the Center for Community Engagement. “But basically, the idea is that there are a lot of organizations out in the community—a lot of nonprofits—that have volunteering needs but also research needs and internship opportunities. We have a lot of students who are looking for these opportunities, so we wanted to have everyone in the same space to facilitate those connections.”
The fair was designed to offer students direct access to organizations that align with their interests and career goals, creating pathways for meaningful involvement.
Dr. Rebecca Tuuri, associate dean of the Honors College and co-director of the Drapeau Center for Undergraduate Research, emphasized the value of integrating community engagement with academic research.
“We have lots and lots of different opportunities for USM students to get involved,” Tuuri said. “I’m here in my capacity as the co-director for the Drapeau Center for Undergraduate Research, and we want to sponsor students who have an interest in community-engaged research projects. We have special money set aside, so if you have a passion for working with the community and it also involves your own original research, we want to be able to help you.”
Students interested in volunteering or internships with participating organizations can find more information on the Center for Community Engagement’s website.
