When Community is the Classroom

How do you want to make a difference?

PLU students are about paying it forward, and you can see that core value lived out through “J-Term on the Hill” – a social work class that students from any major can take, as it can count as one of the general education requirements all students have to take.

“It’s not a typical class,” notes Professor Douglas Epps, who led the cohort of students this January. “It’s a great way for students to learn a little about social work, but more so to learn about the local community and give back while they’re learning.”

This January, the course focused on two vital issues: homelessness and food insecurity. Partnering with local nonprofits in and around Tacoma, students engaged in hands-on service projects, gaining a deeper understanding of social issues while exploring their lived experiences.

Students volunteered at Northwest Furniture Bank and supported in various ways, from sorting donations to assembling furniture to helping visitors pick out furnishings for their homes.

Partnering with Habitat for Humanity, students also helped build duplexes for low-income families in the neighboring city of Lakewood. Epps was impressed by his students’ enthusiasm, “You’d expect people to be less than thrilled about working at a cold, muddy construction site in January, but our students were just lit up about it. They’re surprised by what they’re capable of doing and energized by the idea that they’re making a difference.”

Social Work major Ciara Itson ’26 shared, “Part of why I chose to go to PLU is because they integrate community service into your degree.” During high school, Ciara founded a community service club and wanted to carry that ethos of care into her college experience. Now she’s pursuing a Social Work degree at PLU in hopes of combining her love of music with mental health counseling.

“In this class, we have pre-med, engineering, and business students – people from very different majors. But there’s a unifying thread: all of the students feel the need and the desire to support the community. It’s a reflection of the culture here at PLU,” Epps explained.

Whether you’re interested in social work or looking for ways to be part of the community, J-Term on the Hill is one of the many ways you can create an educational journey at PLU that supports something bigger.