Pepperdine Graphic

Step Forward Day Embraces New Changes

by

Pepperdine students smile at the Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank on Sept. 7. Students spent time organizing the food bins at the food bank. Photos courtesy of Saylor Stottlemyer
Pepperdine students smile at the Manna Conejo Valley Food Bank on Sept. 7. Students spent time organizing the food bins at the food bank. Photos courtesy of Saylor Stottlemyer

Students who missed out on Step Forward Day, can now get involved due to recent changes.

Step Forward Day is an annual day of service for the Pepperdine Community and this year, changes were made so that the projects are spread out over the semester, instead of just taking place on a singular day, said Christian Shatzer Roman, director of Community Engagement and Service for the Hub for Spiritual Life.

“We got feedback from students who are in sororities and fraternities who said they didn’t want to miss these opportunities so these projects are targeted at them,” Roman said.

Participants of Step Forward Day on Sept. 7, put up the flags for the 9/11 Remembrance Day at Alumni Park. This was one of the on-campus service opportunities offered.
Participants of Step Forward Day on Sept. 7, put up the flags for the 9/11 Remembrance Day at Alumni Park. This was one of the on-campus service opportunities offered.

Senior Micaela Shackleford said that in addition to Step Forward Day’s changes, a few students became certified van drivers to increase modes of transportation, apart from the Pepperdine shuttles, to take students to the work sites.

“I hope these changes allow for an even greater number of Pepperdine community members to participate in Step Forward Day,” Shackleford said. “The goal is for students to be inspired by this campus wide service and to then join in on the service projects we offer throughout the semester.”

The participants of the Hand in Hand Step Forward Day project gather for a group picture. They spent time creating carnival games Sept. 7 at Pepperdine University.
The participants of the Hand in Hand Step Forward Day project gather for a group picture. They spent time creating carnival games Sept. 7 at Pepperdine University.

Senior Saylor Stottlemyer, a Step Forward Day volunteer, said she believes these changes are helpful to the Pepperdine community because of the way they get more students involved.

Upcoming Step Forward projects include the Many Mansions project on Friday, Sept. 13 where volunteers will host games for children in a community that focuses on providing housing to low-income families according to Pepperdine University’s Engagement and Service Calendar.

“I love the community that Step Forward Day builds with Pepperdine students and with other members of the Pepperdine community,” Shackleford said. “I think a great way to bond as a community is to engage with each other through service.”

_______________

Follow the Graphic on X: @PeppGraphic

Contact Alicia Dofelmier via email: alicia.dofelmier@pepperdine.edu