Del’Sha Roberts is the student programs administrator at the Staley School of Leadership, and oversees HandsOn Kansas State, a volunteer service program that serves universitywide and the local community. Here, Roberts reflects on the value of serving from a personal perspective that helps drive her work, fulfill her passion, and connect with community on a deeper level.
She asks readers to explore within themselves and reflect:
How can we best serve within our communities and how does that serve our personal missions and well-being?
I was recently at a conference when someone asked me a question that has lingered in my mind ever since: “When did you get involved in service, and what was it that made you want to be involved?”
For me, service has always been part of my DNA. Growing up, my mom and stepdad both worked at a homeless shelter. I watched them give their last, donate their time, and show up for their neighbors again and again. That way of living, putting others first even in small ways, has stayed with me.
When I think about service today, I think about small moments like these I’ve witnessed in the Manhattan community:
- When a community member was scrolling through Facebook saw a post from a woman who did not have a car and no way to get food. Without hesitation, she drove across town and brought her a meal.
- When a man sitting in line at a food distribution and spotted a snake. Instead of panicking, he calmly picked it up, carried it to the grass, and set it free, removing a danger and a fear for others.
- During Furniture Amnesty Day, when neighbors come together to donate and pick up free furniture, a campus employee noticed a barrier. Some families had no way to transport their items. He stepped up to provide delivery, ensuring those in need could get their furniture home.
None of these moments were glamorous or carried public recognition. They were not about awards, headlines, or applause. They were about neighbors seeing a need and acting.
