Jade Hughes

It is one thing to admire Presbyterian College’s motto, Dum Vivimus Servimus – “While We Live, We Serve” – and another to embrace it.

For one group of first-year students, plans to make their corners of the world a better place came into focus in a single class and were made public Tuesday in a poster session in the Cornelson Center. The annual poster session for associate professor of economics and business administration Karen Mattison’s first-year experience class on social entrepreneurship highlighted a range of creative and compassionate solutions to society challenges.

Now in its third year, Mattison’s course, officially titled “Planning to Make a Difference,” challenges students to identify issues they are passionate about, develop actionable solutions, and present their ideas to the campus community.

“This class is about solving problems,” Mattison said. “Students think through what’s needed, how to measure success, and how to fund their ideas. It’s exciting to see them take ownership of their projects and think about how they can make a difference in the world.”

Tackling Local and Global Challenges

The students’ projects reflected a wide range of interests, from local community needs to global issues.

Teresa Mbemba

Teresa Mbemba, a junior transfer originally from Africa, shared her plans to improve access to clean water in impoverished areas. Growing up in a region where safe water was scarce, Mbemba spoke passionately about her commitment to helping others avoid the hardships she faced.

“This is personal for me because I’ve lived it,” Mbemba said. “Now that I’m here, I want to finish college and work on making clean water accessible for those in need.”

For freshman Ryan Sullivan from Lake City, the focus was on addressing food insecurity in his hometown. He plans to establish a volunteer-run food bank to provide free groceries to residents.

“I want to alleviate the stress of grocery bills and give families a chance to save and improve their situations,” Sullivan said. To fund the project, he intends to sell merchandise and rely on donations. Though he took the class initially for scheduling reasons, Sullivan credited it with helping him see the value of thinking beyond his own needs. “This class opened my eyes to how I can serve others,” he said.

Sophomore Jade Hughes, a transfer from Newberry, drew inspiration from her late sister, Haley, a Presbyterian College graduate who passed away in 2021 from Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare childhood cancer. Hughes’s project focuses on improving the diagnosis of rare childhood diseases by partnering with educators and using the hashtag #HopeFromHaley to raise awareness and funds.

“This project is a way to honor my sister and help families facing the challenges we went through,” Hughes said. “It’s about giving kids and their families hope.”

Nigel Butler, a junior transfer from Fountain Inn, addressed the struggles of small businesses in his hometown. His cooperative marketing plan includes creating a website to serve as a hub for advertising local businesses and sharing discounts.

“Small businesses often get overshadowed by big competitors,” Butler said. “This platform would give them a way to connect with customers and grow.” Butler, a marketing major and small business owner, said the course helped him think more strategically about how to implement his idea.

Creativity and Compassion

Freshman Savannah Byrd, from Hopkins, proposed opening a pet café in Charleston. The café would partner with animal shelters to provide a welcoming space for people to interact with adoptable pets while enjoying refreshments. Inspired by her own therapy dog, Byrd sees the café as a way to support mental health and increase pet adoptions.

“I want to create a space that helps people and animals alike,” Byrd said. “This would also support underfunded shelters and give animals a better chance at finding homes.”

For freshman Christopher Gallegos of Cassatt, the focus was on stray animals. His project, “Stray Pets Redemption,” proposes a “bounty hunting” system to locate and secure stray dogs, inspired by issues he observed in his hometown.

“There are so many stray dogs running loose, and it’s dangerous for them and drivers,” Gallegos said. “This program would bring community members together to address the problem.”

The session also featured creative methods for measuring success. Byrd plans to track pet adoption rates, while Hughes envisions leveraging education partnerships. Each project reflected the students’ personal experiences and commitment to serving others.

Empowering Students to Serve

The diversity of projects underscores the emphasis Presbyterian College places on service. With its motto, “While We Live, We Serve,” the institution encourages students to think critically about the world’s challenges and develop solutions that extend beyond the classroom.

“This is more than just a class assignment,” Mattison said. “Some students come in with ideas already formed, while others discover their passion through the course. Either way, the goal is to empower them to make a difference.”

For students like Mbemba and Hughes, the projects are deeply personal, while others, like Butler and Gallegos, aim to support their hometowns. Byrd’s innovative pet café combines animal welfare with mental health support, and Sullivan’s food bank addresses urgent needs in an underserved community.

“It’s amazing to see how creative and compassionate our students are,” Mattison said. “They truly embody the spirit of our college’s mission.”

A Tradition of Impact

As the poster session concluded, the energy in the room reflected the excitement of students sharing their ideas with peers, faculty, and staff. For Mattison, it was another successful year of fostering innovation and service among her students.

“This is why I love teaching this class,” she said. “Every year, the students surprise me with their passion and determination to make a difference.”

Presbyterian College’s service entrepreneurship class not only equips students with practical skills but also instills a sense of responsibility to contribute to their communities and the world. From improving access to clean water and food to supporting small businesses and animal welfare, these projects highlight the transformative power of service.

As Mattison and her students continue to embrace the college’s motto, they set an example of what it means to live a life dedicated to serving others.

Nigel Butler with PC associate professor of political science Dr. Ben Bailey.