Moon Township, Pa. -- Spring break in many college students’ minds suggests nothing short of lounging around in 75-degree weather, scorning any thoughts of school work. Some students spend time away, while others simply tarry at home with a good book and family. Randon Willard challenged students at Robert Morris University (RMU) to do something different.

Willard works as a Coalition for Christian Outreach (CCO) staff worker in the office of Student Civic Engagement as the Community and Volunteer Services Coordinator at RMU. The life and breath of his work is focused on getting students involved and engaged in surrounding communities.

Willard calls students to action. This spring break, he oversaw two service trips as part of RMU’s Alternative Spring Break program. While many students soaked up the sun on a beach, these students labored to build houses with Habitat for Humanity in Concord, N.C.

Another group ventured to Washington, D.C. to become educated about the hunger and homelessness endemic in the United States and around the world.  This is only a facet of what Willard does on RMU’s campus.

“I am in charge of all of the community service that happens at the university. I plan service opportunities for students at places like Habitat for Humanity, The Bradley Center and Coraopolis Community Development Foundation,” says Willard. “I also work with clubs and organizations to connect them to service opportunities in our community.”

“These students see my office as a place of refuge where they can be themselves and talk about life,” says Willard. “I try to love [students] in a tangible way by eating with them, listening to them and being a part of their lives.”

Willard is setting a precedent at RMU. Through his encouragement and patience, he’s showing students how they can use their education to improve people’s lives.  For some of the students, it’s the best “class” they’ve ever taken.

The CCO is a campus ministry organization which partners with churches, colleges and organizations to develop men and women who live out their Christian faith in every area of life. The CCO’s core purpose is “transforming college students to transform the world.”