Public Engagement

Students Today Leaders Forever is an organization that sparks great enthusiasm for active engagement on the part of its members. To quote from its web site,

Students Today Leaders Forever is a college-based service and leadership organization determined to change the world in a positive way.  As an organization, the mission of STLF is promoting initiative and living with passion, believing that one student can make a difference.  As a means of carrying out this mission, STLF works on campus to help students identify their passion, and then act on this through various types of leadership and service opportunities in the community.

The largest project that represents the core of the organization for STLF is the annual Pay It Forward Tour held over spring break. While espousing the concepts articulated in the movie and book of the same name, the Pay It Forward Tour provides an amazing spring break opportunity for college students and more. Students get the chance to travel the country and stop in communities to perform community service projects while learning about how these project  and community issues affect local communities, the nation, and the world. In addition to the tangible benefits of service, students gain deep personal insights into their own lives and meet those who are destined to become lifelong friends.

This spring, Minnesota Daily photographer Mollie Mitchler accompanied the tour. Her story and especially her photo essay are vivid evidence of the hard work and high spirits that characterize student community service work.