Photo via Fresno State

With the 2025 fall semester in full swing, Fresno State students will be participating in a one-day service event on Nov. 15, organized by the Jan and Bud Richter Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning.

The event is part of the Emerging Leaders Retreat hosted by Fresno State Student Involvement and will give students the opportunity to develop leadership skills, network and make a positive impact through community service. Students can register online for the retreat and service event. The deadline to register is Oct. 31.

Volunteers will choose from three service sites, Hearts and Hands at Ronald McDonald House, Dakota Eco Village and San Joaquin River Conservancy. Richter Center student leaders have led the planning, from choosing community partners to securing food donations.

Fresno State has contributed over 1 million hours of community service annually to the Central Valley over the past 16 years.

At Ronald McDonald House, Alisa Gonzalez and Rubi Rivera will lead volunteers in autumn-themed arts and crafts and storage room organization. At Dakota Eco Village, Khushleen Khak, Prabhjot Gill and Elizabeth Melendez will lead gardening work and Thanksgiving decoration setup to support residents escaping homelessness. At San Joaquin River Conservancy, Yuna Ha and Aisley Chavez will oversee environmental projects to improve the San Joaquin River Parkway.

Each event ends with a Richter Center reflection activity.