As an undergraduate psychology major at MSU, Alexis Wallace anticipated eventually opening her own private counseling practice. But being a part of the Montgomery Leadership Program helped her realize a passion for a variety of service opportunities, particularly within the context of higher education.

“I loved that experience with MLP because you reflect on yourself as an individual, as a member of a group, and then as someone who has a role in helping a community,” Wallace said.

As a graduate assistant pursuing a master’s in higher education at MSU, Wallace later worked with the university’s alternative spring break program and solidified her love for service while working alongside other college students in the Mississippi Delta.

“I thought ‘I really want to continue to do this,’” said the Louisville native who earned her master’s degree in 2018 after completing her bachelor’s in 2016.

Her first professional role took her to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she continued working with alternative spring break projects. Her stint out West was a time of growth and increasing confidence, but when she had the opportunity to return to her alma mater at the beginning of 2020, she didn’t hesitate.

Wallace said she enjoyed about three months of “normalcy” in her MSU role as assistant director for Student Leadership and Community Engagement before the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated operational changes and “outside-of-the-box” ideas rather than many traditional activities.

Leaders and student volunteers looked for ways to serve through the Maroon Volunteer Center such as writing letters or making items to donate to various organizations. Wallace is looking forward to resuming her favorite hands-on events, such as Service DAWGS (Donating A Wonderful Gift of Service) Day.

“Our students do a beautiful job with service, and they have an innate desire for learning and solving problems, along with true passion and grit. Our office helps give them the tools for understanding social issues, but I remind them they don’t have to take on the world—any action is an action toward change,” Wallace said.

From coastal cleanup to community gardening to Habitat for Humanity building projects and youth development programs, Wallace said, “It’s all meaningful work, and as long as I’m doing that, I’m happy.”

She emphasized that she wants MSU students to, first, “feel like they belong,” and next, “feel like they have work to do in these communities.”

“I’m a product of this institution and a product of learning that occurred in these same spaces,” she said. “Now, I consider how can I enhance these experiences for today’s students.”

Read more about Wallace and others with a passion for volunteerism at https://spark.adobe.com/page/a5nPGI5DJqRoH/