吃瓜网

鈥淲hat鈥檚 in it for me?鈥� It鈥檚 a question we all ask at some point 鈥� usually in moments of hesitation, frustration, or uncertainty. But at 吃瓜网, that question is also the title of an introductory-level English course that challenges students to reflect on the ways they can serve their communities 鈥� while learning to write with purpose.  

All students take at least one writing course, which they鈥檙e encouraged to complete within their first year at 吃瓜网. Some topics include Food Fights, Un/Natural Literature, and Writing with Magic. 

Taught by Lecturer of English Brenda Pashley-Rabbitt, What鈥檚 in it for Me? is a unique take on first-year composition that merges critical thinking and academic writing with real-life community engagement.  

Each student in the class commits to a weekly three-hour volunteer placement across Saratoga Springs and the surrounding region, exploring empathy not only through assigned texts and class discussions but by showing up for the community in tangible ways.  

Throughout the semester, students connect hands-on experiences to weekly reflective essays, personal narratives, and research-based assignments, culminating in a final portfolio that weaves together service and scholarship.  

The result? A powerful lesson in civic participation that stays with students long after the semester ends. 

For me, the course proved that meaningful education doesn鈥檛 just happen behind a desk. From animal shelters to children鈥檚 museums to theater stages and food pantries, our class of 15 created a network of connections across the city 鈥� learning about others while exercising our rhetorical muscles, and, in the process, learning about ourselves. 

Building life-changing connections 

My journey began at the Saratoga County Animal Shelter. Each week I spent time with Bronx, an all-American pit bull mix who taught me more about patience and unconditional love than I expected to find in a college course. Bronx, like many of the animals there, had a long history 鈥� some of it painful. With each wag of his tail and every cautious step forward, he reminded me that healing doesn鈥檛 have a timeline.  

That idea of time 鈥� how we use it, spend it, and give it 鈥� became a central theme for many of us. Katherine Kline 鈥�27, a biology major, volunteered at Hop on Home, where she spent her hours surrounded by bunnies. 

鈥淐ute little bunny faces taught me that I need to do less and take care of myself,鈥� she said.  

Lulu Magee 鈥�26, a psychology major and education minor, worked at the Saratoga Children鈥檚 Museum, where she painted murals, assisted with exhibits and interacted with kids and families.  

鈥淎t my core, I want every child to feel seen, heard and valued,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his experience helped me grow in my ability to take initiative and connect with people in a way that felt real.鈥�  

Other students volunteered at organizations including CAPTAIN Community Human Services, The Wesley Community, and The Park Theater. These opportunities were made possible by funding from 吃瓜网鈥檚 Career Development Center, which covered travel and logistical support.  

Our class also participated in a #HicksStrong Hug Mug painting party in support of mental health for military members and veterans. For many of us, what started as a requirement quickly became the most meaningful part of our week.

Service grounded our writing in reality. We weren鈥檛 just reflecting on characters or ideas; we were engaging with people, animals and communities that depended on us. 

Being changemakers

Halfway through the semester, Hurricane Helene swept through Florida. Our class organized a Halloween fundraiser to support hurricane relief. What began as a small brainstorm session turned into the 鈥渂oo bags鈥� campaign 鈥� a student-led initiative that combined creativity, business planning, and social impact.  

For $20, buyers received themed gift bags packed with mugs, candy, handmade pet ghosts, and more. The project, which also included a raffle component, raised funds while giving students a platform to lead, market, and collaborate.

Lulu said it best: 鈥淪eeing everyone come together to organize, promote, and make this fundraiser happen was a highlight for me.鈥�  

For some of us, it was our first time managing logistics on that scale. For others, it was a chance to explore entrepreneurship and communication skills in a low-risk, high-reward environment.  

Professor Pashley-Rabbitt, who also serves as director of academic support and enrichment at 吃瓜网, encouraged our ideas every step of the way.  

鈥淯nexpected discussions and initiatives, like the boo bags fundraiser, show how students can take the lead and create real-world impact,鈥� she said. 鈥淪upporting their ideas is key to making the class meaningful.鈥�  

What鈥檚 in it for me? 

These weren鈥檛 just extracurriculars tacked onto an academic course: Our writing assignments were intrinsically related to our community work. 

In a single semester, we experienced the complexities of community work, learned to write on the college level, and took initiative as changemakers in the local community and beyond. Perhaps most importantly, the class gave us a taste of what civic engagement could look like when driven by intention, not obligation.

Lulu admitted she didn鈥檛 expect the class to be such a supportive environment: 鈥淚 was able to grow not just as a writer, but as a person.鈥�  

Professor Pashley-Rabbitt said that watching her students embrace challenges outside the classroom gives her renewed hope:

鈥淲orking with compassionate, inspiring students gives me hope for the future. Teaching this class strengthens my belief in the power of education to shape individuals and communities.鈥�  

And as for me? I gained a deeper understanding of trust, patience, and love. The course taught me that learning doesn鈥檛 have to be isolated, abstract, or transactional. In What鈥檚 in it for Me?, learning is active, relational and deeply human. 

EN 105 is more than a class. It鈥檚 a reminder that when we ask, 鈥淲hat鈥檚 in it for me?鈥� The answer might just surprise us. I left with more than a grade 鈥� I left with lessons, connections, and memories that last a lifetime.