Eight students from Tompkins Cortland Community College are stepping up to serve their communities as part of the second Empire State Service Corps cohort — a program that pays college students to complete meaningful service work across New York.
TC3 earned eight spots this year after a strong showing in the program’s debut last fall, when the college was originally granted five. Students in the program commit to at least 300 hours of service, plus regular group meetings to reflect and learn from one another.
“This program is about more than hours — it’s about civic engagement and leadership,” said SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr., who recognized the students as part of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on Sept. 17. “These students represent the living embodiment of service to our great state.”
At TC3, participants will focus on two high-impact areas: mental health and food insecurity.
- Three students will work in the college’s Health and Wellness Counseling Center as peer mental health educators.
- Five students will help fight hunger through SNAP outreach and Panther Pantry support, TC3’s on-campus food resource.
The Empire State Service Corps is funded through $2.75 million included in the state budget by Governor Kathy Hochul. Nearly 500 students across New York are taking part this year. Those who complete the full 300 hours earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of up to $1,500.
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