NCTA Students Put Leadership and People Skills into Practice Through Community Service Projects
CURTIS, Neb. – Students in the Interpersonal Skills course at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) are taking learning beyond the classroom through two community service projects designed to make a positive difference in Curtis and the surrounding community.
The Interpersonal Skills course focuses on developing students' self-awareness, communication, teamwork, leadership, and relationship-building skills. "When talking to industry leaders, they often comment on how important the people skills," the instructor, Jessica Rodman explains. "This year, the class allows students to work together to choose a service project outside the classroom, giving them a chance to practice these skills in real life."
Throughout the semester, students have worked together to identify community needs, develop project ideas, set goals, and put their plans into action. Through this hands-on approach, students have the opportunity to practice their skills and make meaningful contributions to their community.
This semester, students selected two projects: a community book drive benefiting the Klyte Burt Memorial Library and a community trash cleanup effort in Curtis.
Sharing the Love of Reading
During the first weeks of the course, students were asked to explore the community and identify needs. August Schow, a second-year Livestock Management student, visited the Klyte Burt Memorial Library in Curtis and discovered a need for more books. This quickly turned into an idea to hold a book drive.
“We are hoping to empower young minds in the community one book at a time,” said Crystal Sweetser, one of the students working to organize the book drive. The library is seeking gently used children's, teen, and young adult books to help encourage reading and provide additional opportunities for young readers in the community.
The book drive is currently active and will run from November 2nd through the 16th. Community members are encouraged to participate by donating gently used books at the Klyte Burt Memorial Library. Donations can be placed in the designated drop-off box or given directly to the attending librarian.
The students hope the project will help nurture a love of reading and provide young people in the community with access to books and new opportunities to learn. “We're excited to share with the children of the community the love for reading we had growing up,” said Schow.
Keeping Curtis Clean
A second group of students is organizing a community trash cleanup project around Curtis. The effort will begin at Mill Park and the baseball diamond, with students working together to pick up litter and help keep community areas clean, welcoming, and presentable.
"A clean community is a happy community," Noah Trampe, a second-year Livestock Management student in the class notes. The clean-up project provides students with an opportunity to put their people skills into practice outside the classroom while taking responsibility for the community they are part of.
Although Interpersonal Skills is a general education class, Rodman works to make it interesting and meaningful for students. "Talking about your feelings and how to work with people isn't always fun," Rodman says, "But I am really proud of these students. They have committed to projects that will have a real impact on the Curtis community."
Students are gaining practical experience in leadership and collaboration while demonstrating how even small efforts can make a positive difference. This is another great example of how NCTA strives to embody a learn by doing philosophy.
The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) in Curtis is a two-year institution within the University of Nebraska system, dedicated to developing the next generation of agricultural professionals and veterinary technicians. NCTA offers specialized programs in Animal Science, Agronomy, Ag Equipment, Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Education, Equine Industry Management, and Veterinary Technology—all grounded in a practical, career-focused approach to learning by doing.