Students at the University of Delaware’s Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics have almost 30 unique student groups that they can choose to join. In each installment of this series, an executive member of one of these student groups will share their first-hand experience choosing, participating in and eventually leading their group.
Jayke Marsh, Class of 2021 finance major with minors in economics and business analytics, is the recruitment chair of University of Delaware Alternative Breaks (UDAB). Marsh shared why he joined UDAB, what makes this group unique and more!
Why did you choose to join this student group?
Marsh: I joined because I have a passion for service.
What is the mission of your student group?
Marsh: UDaB’s mission as an alternative breaks program is to create a variety of issue-based service learning experiences. We strive to be accessible to all undergraduate university students as both a facilitator of these break programs and as an advisor for other student groups that would like to plan, participate in and reflect on service.
What is your best memory from this student group?
Marsh: My best memory from this student group is just the people I have been able to work alongside people in the communities we have worked with. I have been able to personally develop an incredible amount through this organization by learning from my experience and being inspired by my peers.
What is unique about your student group?
Marsh: Our student group is unique because it is a fully immersive experience that enables second-hand education in pre-departure meetings and then first-hand experience in performing the service. What is unique about our student group in comparison to other service programs is the reflection that occurs at the end of each day of service. We stress the importance of gathering our thoughts, discussing what we learned and how we can develop rather than just doing the service and moving on.
What has been your proudest moment leading your student group?
Marsh: My proudest moment thus far as a member of the executive board is after speaking at various first year experience classes, student organization meetings and different involvement fairs around campus was seeing students gain a new interest in our organization and then see more applications come in. It is very fulfilling to talk about something I am passionate about and have it resonate with other students.
What are your goals for the future of your student group?
Marsh: My goals for the future of our student group is to keep expanding in the University of Delaware community and really just to have that staple of the service organization on campus. By creating strides into a more diverse community in our organization we are able to gain more perspectives to situations allowing education to be that much more effective.
How has your student group helped you grow?
Marsh: My student group has helped me grow by stressing the importance of reflection in education, learning more about social justice issues and providing me with true exposure to different parts of the country. By taking me out of my comfort zone this organization has developed collaboration, leadership and engaging values more than anything else I have been a part of.
UDAB has roughly 400 members and the executive board meets from 7:30 to 8:30 PM on Monday evenings, with site leader training directly afterward at 8:30 PM in Gore 206. Site leaders then host meetings with their participants once a week and times vary from program to program.