Public health volunteer Reagan Smith earns 2025 Community Impact Student Award
Volunteering while studying at Wake Forest University has changed senior Reagan Smith’s life, given her a greater sense of purpose—and earned her a Community Impact Student Award from North Carolina Campus Engagement (NCCE).
Every year, the award goes to a student at each participating NCCE member school. The organization is a statewide network of colleges and universities dedicated to educating students for civic and social responsibility, partnering with communities for positive change, and strengthening democracy.
Smith, an Orange County, Calif., resident who graduates from Wake Forest this month with a degree in molecular biology and Spanish, was nominated for her leadership in high-impact public health initiatives in Winston-Salem as well as Wake Forest’s AmeriCorps program.
“Reagan’s deep commitment to partnering with non-profit organizations and existing campus programs has supported a sustainable model for improving public health in the Winston-Salem community,” said Brad Shugoll, Director of Service and Leadership for Wake Forest’s Office of Civic and Community Engagement (OCCE).
Smith, who was drawn to the university’s Pro Humanitate motto even though it took her far from home, has served more than 1,000 volunteer hours through AmeriCorps and other opportunities offered by OCCE.
“Community involvement is important to me because it gives me a genuine sense of belonging and purpose, which feel especially meaningful in today’s world,” she said. “It is easy to feel ‘connected’ through social media, but that type of connection is very different from showing up in person, helping someone meet their needs, and being able to advocate for them.”
After graduation, Smith will remain in Winston-Salem, working at Cancer Services, a non-profit she served through AmeriCorps, and continuing to volunteer at Shalom Medical Clinic, a free clinic. She also will help support the AmeriCorps Public Health program on campus.
Her advice to would-be student volunteers is to find your passion and stick with it—focusing your energy on one or two causes to really make an impact.
“Don’t be afraid that you’re not competent, or good enough, or have exactly the right skill set,” she said. “You are always more capable than the person who doesn’t show up.”
To learn more about NCCE: nccampusengagement.org
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