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Last month, students in the SRE Certificate program at Leeds spent a morning preparing meals for our unhoused neighbors and delivering them, along with other essentials, to people living along Boulder Creek. This event was CESR’s first service-learning opportunity. It was designed to help students see first-hand some of the social challenges that exist in our community. The event also aimed to build connections among business students who care about creating a positive social and environmental impact. 

“We were providing sandwiches to people, but the bigger part is talking to people about their stories, or about whatever they want to talk about,” said Laura Lammons (Mktg, SRE ’26), a student who participated in the volunteer opportunity. “So many of these people are ignored and treated as less than human every day. You talk to them and realize how normal they are.”

"Part of what made this experience so eye-opening is how close it is to campus and our students’ day-to-day lives."

Several student volunteers shared that they often run along the Boulder Creek Path next to campus, but they had never spoken to the unhoused people who live there. That familiarity with the area was part of the appeal in choosing this volunteer opportunity, said Sarah Arney, program coordinator at CESR, who organized the event. 

“We wanted students to have a transformational experience that might change their perspective,” Arney said. “Serving our unhoused neighbors along Boulder Creek with the was a great fit.  Part of what made this experience so eye-opening is how close it is to campus and our students’ day-to-day lives.  Through conversation, students start to understand that people may end up unhoused for a whole variety of reasons, and that even CU students can struggle with housing or food insecurity.” 

Lammons reflected on how the learnings from her classes in the SRE Certificate program helped her to put the experience in context. 

“We’re learning to consider how business decisions impact everyone in the community,” Lammons said. “An experience like this makes you think about how business decisions in Boulder could relate to why we don’t have enough housing for everyone who lives here.”  

Fostering reflection and critical thinking like that is key to the curriculum at Leeds, and particularly in the classes that make up the SRE Certificate. CESR aims to empower students to create positive change through their business careers by helping them to understand social and environmental challenges and the ways that businesses can be part of the solution, all while driving profits. 

“We have tunnel vision often in the business school just focusing on the concepts we’re taught... School isn’t just about learning curriculum; it’s about clarifying and understanding your values as well."

“I believe that developing a better understanding of the challenges we face is critical to igniting a desire for solutions and preparing our students to innovate,” Arney said. “Service-learning projects give students hands-on experience and personal connections that underscore the urgency and potential impact of new solutions.” 

Many of the students who participated had volunteered often in high school but found opportunities harder to identify in college. When students arrived, Rev. Ashley Murphy, executive director of the Wesley Foundation at CU Boulder, which hosted the volunteers, shared information and stories about some of the social challenges that exist in Boulder, including that 23% of college students who menstruate struggle to afford menstrual products. She also shared a story about a student volunteer who was unhoused himself. 

“The most impactful thing was when we were able to hear statistics about poverty in Boulder,” said Trisha Tyagi (Fin, SRE ’25). “As students we’re in a bubble when it comes to financial security... It really opened my eyes to how much I have that I don’t realize, and how I have a platform that I can utilize to give back to those that are in need.” 

Developing an understanding of sustainability and social issues through service learning can be a competitive advantage for students going out into the business world. It also serves to give students a broader perspective, help them discover what they are passionate about, and build connections with other students who share their interests. 

“Service learning is important because sustainability is becoming vital for businesses to achieve their goals,” said Tyagi. “We have tunnel vision often in the business school just focusing on the concepts we’re taught. Having more service in our lives broadens our perspective and helps us root in sustainability and social responsibility. It also helps to establish and build our values. School isn’t just about learning curriculum; it’s about clarifying and understanding your values as well. Service learning is a great way to do that.” 

“We were providing sandwiches to people, but the bigger part is talking to people about their stories, or about whatever they want to talk about.”

Many of the student volunteers spoke about the ways that interacting with unhoused people expanded their compassion and understanding for the circumstances and stories of others. Tyagi shared that she connected with an unhoused person who shared advice for when she moves to New York for a new job next year based on his time living there. She found it meaningful to see that he was helping her at the same time as she was helping him by giving him a sandwich. 

“It was incredible to hear students' stories of meeting our neighbors as they shared 80+ lunches with those living outdoors here in Boulder,” wrote Murphy in an email after the event. “Even more, I am grateful for the critical thinking that students exhibited in reflecting on where and how our unhoused neighbors live, and the ways in which politics, social norms, and other factors affect hunger and homelessness. Our world is in good hands with these future leaders!”

Interested in pursuing the SRE certificate as an undergraduate student? Check out this page.