Two Georgia College students shatter the popular stereotype that today’s young adults are pampered, lazy, self-centered and hooked to cell phones.
 
They bear out research that points to a generation serious about social justice. Strongly-held convictions guide the choices they make, according to Dr. Amanda Reinke, assistant professor of anthropology.
 
More students are volunteering their time to help others too – a trend on college campuses that has resurfaced in recent years, said Sara Faircloth. She is the director of Georgia College’s Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, one of only three in the state and 75 nationwide.
 
But, in 2017, two students took it a huge step further.
 
They started nonprofits – while still taking classes and earning a degree.

MacKenzie Roux is a senior political science major minoring in Spanish. She's postponing law school to nurture her newly-formed nonprofit, The 1:27 Project. The program will run a weeklong camp every year for orphans in distress, starting next summer in Romania. Roux hopes to someday expand to Ethiopia, Honduras, Mexico, Haiti, Greece, Uganda, Ecuador and Costa Rica.

Natalie Flanders founded Girls Grow Inc. in February, while a senior majoring in psychology. She now runs the program from Plywood Place in Atlanta, providing mentors and role models for adolescent girls. Flanders is opening new chapters at the University of Georgia, Georgia State University and Valdosta State University. The pilot program at Georgia State also benefits homeless girls at Covenant House Atlanta.

In the past 15 years, five other GC alumni started nonprofits after graduation. Of about 20 students every year who finish the university’s three-year-certificate nonprofit program – 90 percent go on to work for nonprofits.

But Faircloth believes Roux and Flanders are the unusual exception, when it comes to college students founding nonprofits. Many like the idea of turning service into a career, she said. But few understand the hardships involved in creating a charity from scratch.
 
Students at Georgia college often get inspired to do more, because of the campus GIVE Center that promotes community service.
 
“Helping people is our philosophy. It’s part of the DNA at Georgia College,” said Kendall Stiles, senior director of Community Engagement.
 
Stiles points to a national volunteer recognition program – Points of Light – started in 1993 by former U.S. President George H. W. Bush. Over 6,000 people have been awarded this daily honor in 24 years – 20 of them Georgia College students.
 
In recent weeks, three more Georgia College students won this distinction. One was Natalie Flanders.
 
“I think it’s probably this age group,” Stiles said. “They join student organizations and causes and volunteer and they start to think: Oh my gosh, I can actually use my degree to make a difference. Maybe I won’t make as much money, but I can still do something I like and believe in.”