The Memphis Connection is a new leadership education endeavor.  It serves as an exchange event for a small group of students from the U of M and a partner institution.  Participants have the opportunity to utilize this educational opportunity to develop an increased appreciation for the application of leadership concepts in an array of environments and among diverse groups of individuals to tackle a challenging social issue – the 2011-2012 issue is poverty.  Students from our University are partnered with a group from the University of Tampa to observe how poverty impacts the two communities and how each community is working to impact the poverty.

In mid-January, students from the University of Tampa visited Memphis and had the opportunity to explore the community’s efforts to combat poverty.  While here those students and the group from the U of M met staff and volunteers from Caritas Village in the Binghampton neighborhood, Bellevue Loves Memphis, and MIFA.  The group provided service to Memphis through Jacob’s Ladder CDC, the Mid-South Food Bank, and Samaritan’s Feet.  They also had a chance to take in the sites of the city through a driving tour, visit to the National Civil Rights Museum, and, of course, a meal of real Memphis BBQ. 

U of M students will start their spring break with a trip to Tampa for a similar experience.  During both parts of the exchange, video reflections were used to capture the experiences and student responses to the program.

If you are interested in more information about The Memphis Connection, please contact:

Justin Lawhead
Associate Dean for Student Leadership and Involvement
Office of Student Leadership and Involvement
jtlawhed@memphis.edu
(901) 678-2094