Students give back through creative projects

As the holidays approach, San Jacinto College instructors are finding creative ways to give back — transforming classroom projects into acts of kindness that reach nationwide. 

Writing Cards of Kindness

English professor Bryan Corbin has partnered with nonprofit organizations since fall 2022 to help students make a difference.

In fall 2024, Corbin began working with the Dear Jack Foundation in addition to his ongoing partnership with Bring Smiles to Seniors. 

"I wanted service learning projects that would not require students to commute anywhere or go off campus to complete," Corbin said. "The concepts of kindness and perseverance unite my classes in ways that are not possible with other topics." 

Over the past three years, students have distributed more than 13,000 cards in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. The project has expanded beyond English classes to include art, speech, Spanish, and psychology students. 

In November and February, students across various disciplines on South Campus write cards for World Kindness Day and Random Acts of Kindness Day respectively. 

"We have all wanted to give up or quit something that is challenging at some point in our lives," Corbin said. "With kindness, we might be able to throw a lifeline to a person to help them persevere a bit more to get through life's difficulties." 

Packing Cheer for Mariners 

While Corbin’s students share encouragement through words, others are sending a different kind of message — one packed in a box. 

For nine years, Amy Arrowood, director of maritime credit programs, has helped spread cheer by working with Christmas at Sea – On the River. This nonprofit organization provides handmade knitted items and cards to mariners working far from home during the holidays. 

As a mariner who received these gifts herself, Arrowood understands the program’s impact. When she learned the organization needed help packing and delivering gifts to maritime companies, she saw an opportunity for her students. 

"I wanted to bring a sense of warmth, connection, and holiday spirit to those who keep vital maritime operations running," Arrowood said. 

Maritime students have turned the packing process into a well-oiled operation, creating an assembly line to box the handmade knits and cards. 

The experience has come full circle for some maritime alumni who now work full time on the water and have received these gifts themselves. 

"No one wants to be away from their family and friends at Christmas. When you are on a boat, it can be especially lonely," Arrowood said. "Receiving a gift someone took the time to create for you makes you feel a bit more connected." 

Building Gingerbread for a Cause

At the North Campus, culinary arts students are bringing joy to young cancer patients. For five years, students have created elaborate gingerbread displays for the MD Anderson Child Life Program Gingerbread Fundraiser. 

San Jac joins the Houston Racquet Club, River Oaks Country Club, The Forest Club, and The Briar Club in the annual project.  

"I like the idea of introducing students to real-world scenarios and working with them from planning to completion so that they are better equipped to handle future challenges in the industry," said Andrea Huerta, culinary arts program director. “This project is fun. They learn so much about quantity production, and it is all for a good cause.” 

The gingerbread villages are donated to MD Anderson, where the organizer presents a check to the Child Life Program team. After Christmas, hospital patients smash the houses with rubber mallets. 

"It is our way of spreading a little holiday spirit and goodwill. The patients really love seeing it every year,” Huerta said. “The students unanimously agree that donating their houses to this cause is better than taking them home.” 

A Lesson That Lasts 

Whether it's a senior citizen receiving an encouraging note, a mariner opening a gift miles from home, or a young patient smashing a gingerbread house, these small acts create ripples of connection and hope. 

As these programs expand across San Jac's campuses, they prove that meaningful lessons happen when students discover their power to brighten someone else's world. 

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About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. The College is ranked second in the nation among more than 1,100 community colleges, as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution that spans five campuses, plus an online college, San Jacinto College serves approximately 45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s. San Jacinto College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.