Students, faculty and staff gathered in the Foster Ballroom of the Colvard Student Union on Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. to participate in Mississippi State University’s annual MLK Days of Service, an initiative designed to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through civic engagement and community service.

Students and faculty collaborated to assemble winter survival kits for members of the homeless community in Starkville. These kits provided essential supplies while also strengthening connections between the campus and the local community.

Hosted through the university’s Student Leadership and Community Engagement office, the MLK Days of Service brought service opportunities directly to campus, allowing participants to engage with local and regional nonprofit partners without leaving the university. Organizers said the centralized location helped increase accessibility, participation and awareness of community needs.

According to the Student Leadership and Community Engagement Instagram, volunteers assembled 400 winter survival kits across four shifts during the event.

Kathy S. Jones, director for Student Leadership and Community Engagement, spoke about the on-campus events.

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Courtesy Photo | Grace Cockrell

“These events are designed to connect students and faculty with the community,” Jones said. “This is a traditional time of year when we do this, and we have a lot of new students on campus during the spring semester. It’s important that they connect not only to the university, but also to the greater Starkville community.”

Jones said the 2026 MLK Days of Service expanded its reach by adding new community partners from outside Starkville, including organizations based in Tupelo and Jackson. She said the goal was to increase student awareness of issues such as homelessness while also removing barriers that often prevent students from volunteering.

“Not everyone has transportation or time to travel,” Jones said. “By bringing service opportunities right to their front doorstep, we’re giving students a way to serve without having to make additional arrangements.”

Holding the event in the Foster Ballroom also helped boost visibility and participation, organizers said. The Colvard Student Union is one of the most heavily trafficked areas on campus, making it easier for students to stop in between classes.

“Accessibility is everything,” Jones said. “Students don’t have to worry about commuting, and we’re very intentional about where we host events like this. Another important piece is the sense of community. We saw students who had never met before working together and leaving with new connections.”

That sense of connection was echoed by student participants.

Kate Patterson, a senior at MSU majoring in biomedical engineering, spoke about the experience.

“Just working together and meeting new people strengthens student relationships,” Patterson said. “It also strengthens the community because you’re directly helping people in need. When different campus organizations come together with the same goal, it really makes an impact.”

Patterson explained that hosting the event in the Union encouraged students who may not have planned to attend as well.

“This is the busiest place on campus,” Patterson said. “People see the signs, they walk in, and suddenly they’re learning about service opportunities and how to get involved.”

Beyond hands-on service, the MLK Days of Service also focused on education and long-term civic responsibility. Mikela Barlow, assistant director for Student Leadership and Community Engagement, said the events align directly with the mission of Student Leadership and Community Engagement.

“We’re not just letting students serve, we’re teaching them what’s actually happening in the community,” Barlow said. “We talk about real-life issues like homelessness and help students understand how service connects to who they’re becoming as citizens and future professionals.”

Barlow said the office emphasizes that students do not need to belong to a formal organization to serve and encourages continued involvement beyond January. Information about future initiatives, including National Volunteer Week in April, was shared with participants.

“What really matters is what happens after today,” Barlow said. “If students understand why they’re serving and see the impact, they’re much more likely to continue. Service isn’t meant to be a one-time thing; it’s something we do year-round.”

Organizers said the strong turnout this year shows that bringing service to campus is an effective way to engage students and foster lasting connections between the university and the surrounding community.