A Culture of CARE: Empowering individuals through compassion, connection, and cultivating the narrative of higher education (Malloy 101)

In this session, we will explore the concept of a culture of CARE, and how you can develop a student-led food pantry and/or center to support students struggling with basic needs; while respecting and maintaining the dignity of everyone served. Self-identification and basic needs insecurity for first-generation students is a pressing issue that demands attention and action. In today's society, more and more students are going through college as first-generation students. Research and evidence suggest that basic needs insecurity among college students, particularly first-generation students, is rising. Over the next few years, we can expect basic needs insecurity among college students to grow even further. First-generation students, often from low-income backgrounds, face numerous challenges, including basic needs insecurity. Basic needs insecurity refers to the lack of consistent access to essential resources such as food, housing, and healthcare. We will also explore the role of organizational leaders, students, and the community in fostering compassion within higher education. Participants will learn the importance of allocating resources and setting policies prioritizing a culture of care through relationships. Additionally, the seminar will emphasize the need to educate professionals and the public about removing barriers in higher education. We will explore how compassion can be integrated into higher education and transform individuals, organizations, and society to success.