Columbia College, as a member of the S.C. Campus Compact, has received grant funding to enroll 17 students in the S.C. Healthy Families AmeriCorps program. Once they complete 300 hours of service in the program, the students will be eligible to receive a $1,132 AmeriCorps Education Award that can be applied toward outstanding federal student loans or the cost of attendance at a college or university.
The S.C. Campus Compact is made up of 14 colleges and universities who help teach students how to become effective citizens in their communities. Nationwide, Campus Compact is a coalition of more than 1,100 college and university presidents – representing some six million students – and is the only national higher education association dedicated solely to campus-based civic engagement. Columbia College has been a member of the SC Campus Compact since 2009.

The S.C. Healthy Families AmeriCorps grant, awarded to the SC Campus Compact by the United Way of South Carolina and the Commission on National Community Service, will enroll 250 students statewide as part-time AmeriCorps members providing a total of $28,000 in education awards statewide. As a result, the program will bring $283,000 annually in education awards to S.C. students who provide valuable service to their communities.

Student participants in the program will partner with non-profit organizations to educate communities on nutrition and wellness through a range of outreach activities. Members will be trained facilitators of the Ways to Enhance Children’s Activity and Nutrition (We Can!), a national childhood obesity training program. They also receive CPR, shelter and disaster preparedness training.


“The S.C. Healthy Families grant award is an opportunity for our students to demonstrate their commitment to service, while making a significant difference in the lives of others,” said Erin Payseur, Program Coordinator for the Center for Engaged Learning.