Pepsi Service Scholars

Pepsi Service Scholars are incoming freshman from Nebraska awarded the Pepsi Scholarship for Outstanding Leadership and Service based on extraordinary commitment to volunteer service in high school.

The mission of the Pepsi Scholarship for Outstanding Leadership and Service is to promote social change by becoming trustees of the University of Nebraska campus and our community through service-learning. We will strive to participate in a wide variety of opportunities for personal development while fostering within each other a life-long commitment to service.

“This program [Pepsi Service Scholars] gave me a new group of friends, mentors to turn to, opportunity to gain leadership and social skills, and a chance to get involved in the community.”
- 2003-2004 Pepsi Service Scholar

Programs and Projects

The Pepsi Service Scholars Program promotes service-learning, civic engagement, personal reflection, and growth. The program offers many opportunities for self-growth through:

• Creative Reflection
• Discussing Service-Learning concepts
• Networking Event Planning
• Teamwork Exercises
• Time Management
• Organization Skills
• Resume Writing
• Creating a Service-Learning Portfolio
• Developing a 4-year Service-Learning Plan
• E. N. Thompson Forum on World Affairs

During the fall semester, Pepsi Service Scholars are actively involved in a variety of programs and services through UNL and the Lincoln community. Activities range from socials, to lectures, to agency visit to major projects. Here are some examples of activities:

“Welcome Scholars” Event – held the weekend before school starts. We invite you to kick-off the 2005 school year with food, fun and Pepsi!

12-Hours of Service – Pepsi Scholars complete a 12-hour marathon of service helping local agencies.

Safe Quarters – Pepsi Scholars will join hundreds of other volunteers to raise money for the Friendship Home to support victims of domestic violence.

Senior Prom for Older Adults – Pepsi Scholars plan a Senior Prom for the Older Adults of the Lincoln Community

Legacy Project – At the end of the fall semester every Scholar creates a service project plan for the class using the S.E.R.V.E. model. The class then decides which project to adopt and works to implement it as the class Legacy Project for the spring semester.

Pepsi Service Scholars are not limited to the activities above. Each year, Pepsi Scholars have the opportunity to identify their own projects and we encourage you to bring your creative ideas and enthusiasm!

Pepsi Class Time

Pepsi Service Scholars meets every Thursday from 2:00 – 4:00 pm during the fall semester. During this time, classes are filled with discussion, planning and fun. Scholars are now able to take this class for 3 credit hours if they choose. The course requirements are the same regardless if the class is taken for academic credit or not. There are weekly journals, article synthesis, and some other projects assigned throughout the year. Below is a link to last year’s course syllabus and class schedule – take a look and get a better idea about what this program is all about!

S.E.R.V.E. Model

The S.E.R.V.E Model was developed at the University of Nebraska to outline the important elements of a quality service-learning project. Pepsi Service Scholars use this model in what we do related to service. You will become very familiar with it by the end of the class through mnemonics, games and using it as a guide for our projects.
Five Steps to service-learning:

[S] elect a service
[E] ducate and inform
[R] espond to need
[V] alue significance and reflect
[E] valuate and celebrate

History

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln and LinPepCo present the Pepsi Scholarship for Outstanding Leadership and Service to over forty Nebraska freshmen annually.

The program began in 1997; the first program year was 1998-1999. The program has continued to grow and improve over the last 8 years to include new projects and academic aspects. Student Involvement’s Department of Service-Learning & Volunteer Services coordinates the program.

Through this scholarship, students participate in a semester-long service-learning program called Pepsi Service Scholars.

The program aims to teach and encourage life-long service-learning. Service-learning is a process where students assess community needs, train for the service, volunteer, reflect, evaluate and celebrate accomplishments.

Members of the Pepsi Service Scholars class will work with local and on-campus agencies and establish strong connections with the University and its resources.

Contact

For more information about the Pepsi Scholarship for Outstanding Leadership and Service, contact:

Dr. Linda Moody
Assistant Director
Student Involvement
200 Nebraska Union
Lincoln, NE 68588
(402) 472-2454 – City Campus
(402) 472-9704 – East Campus lmoody2@unl.edu

Katarina Gleisberg
Pepsi Service Scholars
Student Coordinator
200 Nebraska Union
Lincoln, NE 68588
(402) 472-8142– Office katalliglei@yahoo.com

Application Process

Students interested in applying for the Pepsi Service Scholars Program can contact UNL Admissions at 472-0669.