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Impact
LEADING FOR IMPACT
This year marks the 10th Roan Summer of Service. Its impact has been immeasurable.
10R OAN SUMMER OF SERVIC E
YEARS OF IMPACT 2013-2022
The year 2022 marks the 10th Roan Summer of Service. Each summer, rising Roan sophomores set out to learn about and serve communities in our region and around the globe.
The Roan Summer of Service began in 2013, when the five members of the Roan Class of 2016 served at non-profits in Johnson City. Since then, 70 Roan Scholars have served more than 60 different organizations, contributing more than 15,000 hours of service. “Summer of Service is a foundational component of the Roan’s leadership development model,” said Roan Executive Director Scott Jeffress.
“It deepens Scholars’ understanding of the critical role of non-profit and service organizations, reinforces the value of civic engagement, and allows for invaluable hands-on, practical development of leadership skills and experience,” said Jeffress. Planning for the Roan Summer of Service begins as soon as a new Roan Scholar arrives on campus. Scholars learn about organizations that have hosted in the past, examine their own goals and preferences for the upcoming summer, and research other potential service locations.
“We aim for each Roan Scholar to serve with an organization that truly reflects who they are and relates to issues and causes
ROAN SUMMER OF SERVICE TIMELINE
2013
The Roan Summer of Service initiative begins, with all five members of the Roan Class of 2016 serving non-profits in Johnson City. 2015
The Summer of Service goes international, when the first Roan Scholar travels abroad to complete her Summer of Service. 2017
With the Roan Class of 2020, the program surpasses more than 5,000 hours of service to non-profits. 2021
Eastman Credit Union announces a marquee contribution to financially sponsor Roan Summer Experiences - including the Roan Summer of Service - for the next 5 years.
about which they care,” said Roan Associate Director Jennifer Axsom Adler.
Roan Scholars routinely identify the Summer of Service as a pivotal, transformative experience in their time at ETSU.
“Scholars return from their Summer of Service changed. They discover new interests, strengths, depths of compassion, motivation, and, in a few cases, even a new career direction,” said Adler.
In 2021, Eastman Credit Union announced a marquee contribution to financially sponsor Roan Summer Experiences, including the Summer of Service, for the next 5 years. That financial support provides Roan Scholars a modest living stipend when their internship is unpaid — opening far more possibilities and service options to them. “ECU’s generous financial support is an incredible gift that pays dividends in the lives of Roan Scholars and for numerous organizations throughout our community and around the globe,” said Jeffress.
Several organizations — including Appalachia Service Project, Branch House, Coalition for Kids, Holston United Methodist Home for Children, Love Share, Project Transformation, and Sync Space — have now hosted more than one Roan Scholar over the years.
“Conversations with senior Roan Scholars about their positive experiences with an organization often inspire younger Scholars to serve there,” said Adler. “The growing number of organizations who have hosted more than one Scholar speaks to the power of peer mentorship within the Roan and a maturation of the Summer of Service program.”
McKenzie Templeton ’22, from her Roan Senior Reflection Letter
