Many students might be surprised to hear of AU’s new student-community outreach program: a home-cooked dinner hosted at the house of a community member. While there has been little talk of the program among AU affiliates on school grounds, AU’s January newsletter to the community described the idea to the potential hosts.
Basically, community members interested in hosting an AU student respond via e-mail or telephone to the Community and Local Government Relations Director, Penny Pagano. Meanwhile, students who have heard of the program and are interested in the dinner do the same. Pagano then makes the necessary connections and helps facilitate a date and time.
This is solid community building on AU’s part. Admittedly, with approximately 3,500 students living in the heart of Northwest D.C.’s idyllic suburbia, there is potential for friction between neighborhood members and campus affiliates. This program provides an ample stage for students to present themselves positively and really establish quality rapport with potential friends and mentors.
Social attitudes change virally, so showing hosts a talented and constructive student body might very well facilitate broad-reaching campus growth and improvement. For the student, beyond the obvious nutritional benefits of home cooking, the networking advantages stand to be substantial. Students would be smart to capitalize on the chance to meet and socialize with established and up-and-coming professionals living around AU. This is a great opportunity: DO IT!
