Sam Kroening, class of 2020 and member of the Chaifetz School of Business Service Leadership Program, has logged more than 100 hours of community service during his time at Saint Louis University. He’s served at organizations all over the city, but he has a favorite.
"My favorite experience to date with the Service Leadership Program has been the tutoring I’m doing right now at Loyola Academy," Kroening said. "I’m working with a student in 8th grade on everyday homework and projects."
Loyola Academy of St. Louis is a Jesuit middle school for boys that offers a rigorous curriculum and a graduate support system, which follows students through all four years of high school. In the Ignatian tradition, the school inspires its students to live lives of service and leadership through the use of their God-given talents.
"In St. Louis people always talk about Saint Louis University being Loyola Academy’s Jesuit 'big brother,’” said Colleen Clark, Loyola Academy Community Outreach and Volunteer Resource Coordinator. “I think that’s really represented in SLU’s Service Leadership Program, specifically in the tutoring at Loyola Academy."
Since 2014, Chaifetz School of Business students have provided 525 hours of service at Loyola Academy, which sits just five city blocks from the business school. For Loyola students, Chaifetz School of Business Service Leaders, like Sam, provide more than academic support.
"Most tutors come on a weekly basis and provide not only tutoring and academic support to the students but also a positive adult relationships and mentorship," said Clark.
Loyola Academy eighth grade student Ja’Mer looks forward to seeing Sam every week. Asked what subject he most enjoyed working on with Sam, Ja’mer said, "Math. We race on problems. He cheats, because he knows all the answers already."
As a Saint Louis University student, the Chaifetz School’s Service Leadership Program has made serving others a central part of who Sam is.
"The Service Leadership Program started out for me as a way to be able to do service, but it’s evolved into something that feels almost familial. The relationships that I’ve built with my fellow service leaders, it’s something to me that has become a very core component to college and a core component in my life," Kroening said. "It’s really cool to see how small acts can have such a big impact on people’s lives."
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The Chaifetz School of Business Service Leadership Program is a co-curricular program that provides business students the opportunity to develop their skills while becoming men and women for others through coursework, leadership workshops and 200 hours of community service. The Service Leadership Program hosts opportunities throughout the year to serve the St. Louis community.