Terrell Saunders
UNC GreensboroTerrell Saunders, a third year student at UNC-Greensboro, is a student leader actively working to address hunger and homelessness issues in greater Greensboro. Greensboro is a food desert and Greensboro and High Point are ranked 1st in the nation for Metropolitan Statistical Areas experiencing the food hardships. As of the latest National, State and Local Index of Food Hardship from the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), Greensboro/High Point have a food hardship rate of 27.9%. and 1 in 5 households in Guilford County regularly do not have enough money to buy food. Terrell's ongoing relationships with the Office of Leadership and Service-Learning, Housing and Residence Life, and various organizations on campus, allows him to strengthen his work with the local farmer's markets and food recovery programs in Greensboro. Since starting college, Terrell has taken initiatives to further his leadership, and communication skills through the Bronze Leadership Challenge, by attending LeaderShape summer conference, UNCG Days of Service, and becoming a Peer Leadership Educator. Terrell's goal is to continue his work on hunger and homelessness issues in Greensboro by connecting with more community partners to leverage resources and work together to alleviate hunger and homelessness in our community.
Personal Statement
I started to become engaged in my community during high school through the Wilson Youth Council. As I transitioned to college I continued my involvement by joining the Make a Difference (MAD) House Living Learning Community(LLC), a LLC committed to service, and began working with the Office of Leadership and Service-Learning. While in the MAD House I learned about social issues that were negatively impacting the overall quality of life for citizens in Greensboro. My work has been focused on addressing hunger and homelessness. However, through my community and civic engagement, I've learned about local immigration issues, organizations working to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and challenges facing the LGBTQ community. In January of 2018 I was hired as a LeaderShape On-Site Coordinator and assisted with planning a week long, intense, leadership retreat for 60 undergraduate students from UNCG. This summer I hope to further my "citizen leadership" development by identifying opportunities to learn more about local issues, and how communities can address those issues together.