TSU College of Business Students Give Back During Fall Break

Tracy Pleasants, interim director of the Supply Chain Management Program, left; graduate student Ambiobola Akimya; and a community volunteer help prepare food for the homeless in the Samaritan Ministries' soup kitchen. (Courtesy Photo)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) - Like many students, Starr Ambrosia Muslim usually spends her fall break relaxing with family and friends or studying for the upcoming final exams. For fall 2015, the Detroit junior Business Administration major had something else in mind – put herself aside and help others most in need.

“Doing something that puts a smile on another person’s face just makes me happy,” Muslim said. “Many of us take for granted how fortunate we are when there are people who wish they had just a fraction of the things we enjoy.”

Amine Samoudi, left, and Sarita Criswell help a Samaritan Ministries' volunteer set up at the soup kitchen. (Courtesy Photo)

On Nov. 24, Muslim, five other students and staff of the Tennessee State University Supply Chain Management Program in the College of Business spent the day feeding the hungry. They volunteered with the Samaritan Ministries, an outreach program of the Temple Church, to help serve lunch to the homeless.

“Volunteering to serve food to the homeless was an excellent experience I will not soon forget,” said Amine Samoudi, also a junior Business Administration major. “I believe volunteering is like a glue that holds the community together because the feeling keeps us connected and makes the community a better place for everyone.”

In addition to feeding the homeless, the students helped with set-up as they welcomed guests with “smiles and kind words.”

Supply Chain Management students Zenan Li, left, Akimbiobola Akimya, Starr Muslim, interim director Tracy Pleasants, Amine Samoudi and Sarita Criswell spent a full day of their fall break helping to feed the homeless in Nashville. (Courtesy Photo)

For more than 30 years the Samaritan Ministries has been a mainstay in providing services to the homeless of Nashville, according church officials. With support from the Second Harvest Food Bank and other donations, the ministry provides food, clothing and other services to needy residents of the community.

“It’s not enough for students to receive a great education,” said Tracy Pleasants, interim director of the Supply Chain Management Program. “They must also learn to give back to the communities in which they live. This emphasis on academic excellence and social responsibility are core values of the College of Business.”

The Supply Chain Management Student Organization decided to volunteer with Samaritan Ministries as part of their community involvement commitment, Pleasant said. “These outstanding students not only want to be known for their academic excellence but also for their community leadership,” she added.

Other students who participated in the community service were graduate students Zenan Li, from Luoyang, China; Ambiobola Akimya, from Akure, Nigeria; and Sarita Criswell, a senior from Nashville. They are all Business Administration majors with concentration in Supply Chain Management.

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