ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University's Angela Gist, a senior journalism student from Kirkwood, Mo., has found that volunteerism adds an important component to her college experience.

"By volunteering, you get to broaden your horizons and open your mind," Gist said. "You get to work with a lot of people you normally wouldn't work with."

Gist began volunteering on the Ohio University campus during her sophomore year, after taking the Department of Residence Life training class, where she was required to complete five hours of community service.

It just went off from there, Gist said.

Since her sophomore year, Gist has volunteered for Big Brothers/Big Sisters, the WOUB radio pledge drive and has served as Community Chair for the Black Student Communication Caucus, BSCC. Gist is also serves as an administrative resident assistant and actively tries to get her floor section to volunteer whenever possible.

"You have the opportunity to gain leadership and interpersonal skills when doing community service," Gist said.

Gist's volunteerism began while she was a student at Maryland Heights High School, where she was a part of STARS, a program in which high school students tutored elementary students.

"I could see the difference I was making because I got to work with the students one-on-one," said Gist.

Gist plans to go to attend graduate school and continue her pursuit of community service so that she can become as involved with future communities as she has with Athens.