Grad student hopes to leave legacy of volunteerism

DENVER - When Kyra Tarbell got to the Auraria Campus, she noticed something was missing: a place for students to volunteer. So, she started one which she hopes will continue after graduation next week.

"I think a huge need on campus was just finding an outlet for them to do that," said Tarbell, graduate student at the University of Colorado Denver. "I'd really like to create a center where students get overwhelmed with the idea of trying to fit volunteering into their lives."

So, she talked to Lissa Gallagher the Director of the Experiential Learning Center at UC Denver. Gallagher said she was already planning on starting some kind of volunteer center already when Tarbell found her.

"I thank my lucky stars that she walked in that day," said Gallagher. "She has had so much experience doing service. It's just in her blood, in her soul."

Tarbell started a program called Students for Community Engagement. She has lived all around the world and was involved in volunteer programs at her undergraduate school, Brigham Young University.

"I think a lot of students get overwhelmed with the idea of trying to fit volunteering into their lives," said Tarbell.

She created a program to make it easier. Tarbell calls it Stop and Serve. Between classes, students can stop by for five minutes or an hour and help make hats, blankets or food bags for different charities.

Tarbell also organized a volunteer fair, a hunger banquet, and an alternative spring break program where students traveled to Texas to help out Habitat for Humanity.

"She's the one who's taken charge and has really gotten students involved and she's just a great person in general," said Katie Tate, UC Denver senior. "She's a great inspiration and I look up to her definitely."

Tate and other students say Tarbell makes volunteering fun.

"You know, it makes it not like the nerdy thing to do," said Emily Abbott, UC Denver senior.

Tarbell is set to graduate May 16, but she hopes her programs will continue as an Auraria Campus tradition started by someone who just wanted to make a difference.

"I guess I'm making my mark," said Tarbell. "But, it's in addition with a lot of other people, you know."

Gallagher likes Tarbell so much, she's working to keep her around a little longer. She's arranged for Tarbell to work on campus for six more months, and possibly longer, continuing the programs she generated.

"She started something that is, that will be able to continue," said Gallagher. "We have a grant that we're hoping to get and if so, Kyra will stay with us."

Tarbell will be getting her Master's degree in public administration with an emphasis on non-profit organizations. She says she's happy to stick around.

"I hope to stay around cause I really, most of these programs are maybe a year old," said Tarbell. "That makes me excited that people are interested and people want to (continue her programs) cause obviously I can't stay here forever."