Perimeter College’s State Farm Scholars Engaged in Community Service

DECATUR, Ga. – State Farm Scholars at Georgia State University Perimeter College have been busy serving the community this semester, expanding their learning beyond the classroom. Introduced at Perimeter in 2017, the State Farm Scholars program pairs need-based scholarships with academic and professional support, while also encouraging students to give back. As part of the program, scholars commit to completing five hours of volunteer service each academic year, turning service into an essential part of their college experience.

Students can volunteer anywhere that interests them and look for meaningful opportunities through family members, their neighborhoods or their workplaces. Caroline Strickland, retention coordinator for first-year and transition programs at Perimeter College, provides hands-on support to State Farm Scholars daily in their suite on the Decatur Campus and regularly identifies rewarding volunteer opportunities.

This semester they have been involved with three initiatives arranged by Strickland. State Farm Scholars visited the DeKalb County location of Live Thrive’s Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) to work in the State Farm Learning Garden. Guided by CHaRM staff, students gained new skills while enjoying time outside and contributing to the site’s sustainability efforts. During a visit in March, five students worked on their required service hours, with additional opportunities already scheduled.

In March, a dozen students stepped into action at the Meals on Wheels facility in Atlanta. With an assembly line operation, they packed more than 200 meals for local seniors who struggle with food insecurity and social isolation. Perimeter students enjoyed the camaraderie that they experienced working on this initiative together.

Students also assisted Compudopt, an organization whose mission is to provide technology access and education to under-resourced youth, during an event they hosted with DeKalb County schools. Five State Farm Scholars from Perimeter helped with laptop prep, loading and unloading 200 laptops donated through State Farm’s In-Kind Donation Program and distributing them to students at the DeKalb County School District office in Stone Mountain.

Strickland learned about these three volunteer opportunities from Mark Robinson, with State Farm’s Corporate Responsibility team, who manages several nonprofit relationships including Georgia State University. State Farm Scholars is one component of the University’s Learning, Income and Family Transformation (LIFT) program.

“Connecting our State Farm Scholars at Georgia State University with the incredible nonprofit organizations in metro Atlanta not only enriches their educational journey but also amplifies the impact of these community leaders,” said Robinson. “Together, we’re fostering a powerful network of change-makers dedicated to making a meaningful difference where it matters most.”

Because the students enjoyed their time at CHaRM and Meals on Wheels so much, Strickland, who has worked at Perimeter since May 2025, is looking to create an ongoing partnership with these organizations. Students favor these types of collaborative activities because they get to spend time with their peers while volunteering.

Most students in the State Farm Scholars freshman cohort attend classes on the Decatur Campus. In September, they had the opportunity to work in Decatur’s Community Garden under the direction of Professor Susannah Lomant, and some have continued to volunteer in the garden. Strickland explained that most of the students enjoy working outside, a change of scenery from the time they spend in class and studying.

“Working with these students has been an incredibly rewarding and heartwarming experience,” said Strickland, “especially as I help connect them with the resources they need to successfully navigate their freshman year at Perimeter College. Community service is a new experience for many of our scholars. Having the opportunity to both provide and participate in these experiences alongside them not only supports their growth but also creates meaningful connections and allows me to truly get to know each student.”

Asiah Norman, a State Farm Scholar who is studying nursing, helped with the Compudopt event as well as the sustainability initiative in the Decatur Campus Community Garden in the fall. She helps with events on campus any time she’s available, including serving food during events and modeling in a recent fashion show hosted by Career Services.

“I like to make everyone happy and to give back to the community,” said Norman. “Plus, it’s a good opportunity to meet new people and to network with them. An added bonus is that it’s good for my resume, and I learn from the experiences.”

Strickland says that Norman is very involved and really does like doing things for other people. Norman said with a laugh that she would sign up for all the volunteer opportunities, but she knows she has to leave some available for other State Farm Scholars.

Perimeter’s State Farm Scholars are giving back to the community by volunteering and simultaneously gaining hands-on experience and exposure to possible career paths.

The State Farm Scholars program was introduced at Perimeter College in 2017. Each year, Georgia State University aims to award up to 40 State Farm scholarships, primarily targeting students from DeKalb County high schools.

State Farm Scholars receive a need-based scholarship package of up to $4,000 each year, which covers their tuition and fees as full-time students.

Additionally, they receive leadership training throughout the year, including opportunities for professional development and workshops on money management, resume writing, job interviews and more. They also get valuable job experience by mentoring local high school students or working to support student success at Perimeter College. State Farm Scholars benefit from personalized support, guidance and academic advisement.

Once students graduate from Perimeter College with their associate degree, they can apply for the State Farm Transition Scholarship for their two years at Georgia State University’s downtown Atlanta Campus, where they will earn their bachelor’s degree.

— Story by Christy Petterson