Bethel's Community Engagement Program Encourages Taniyah Diggs to Pursue Her College Dream

McKENZIE—Taniyah Diggs of McKenzie is grateful for Bethel University's loving and caring atmosphere. The junior at the local Christian university recently shared how Bethel's Community Engagement After-School Program inspired her to continue her education. She participated in the free tutoring program provided by Bethel and began as an elementary student. She now gives back to her community, serving as a tutor.

Bethel's former Community Engagement Program worked with students in and around the Housing Authority, where university students tutored children in the McKenzie Special School District. This program transformed the lives of many students through the support provided.

Garrett Burns, Associate Chaplain at Bethel, who now leads the student volunteer programs in the community, said he directs student referrals for community service to existing programs in the area, including the Two Sisters and a Book headed by Renee Hobson, a certified Special Education teacher, plus other local agencies that need volunteers. 

The Bethel University Community Engagement Scholarship Program was established with a single goal in mind: to serve the immediate community. So, in partnership with the Walnut Heights Housing Authority, two directors and a handful of scholars began hosting an after-school program.

Miss Diggs was among those early students who received assistance from Bethel University students.

The current Bethel student said, "I remember my first encounter being all about the great snacks—haha! But it wasn’t just about the snacks; it was about the community of people who were incredibly helpful when I needed assistance. The friendly environment made it easy to engage with everyone.

"Although the program was short, it significantly helped me with my homework. I was able to meet people there whom I also encountered at Bethel later on."

Miss Diggs continued, "I remember the program’s founder, Mrs. Stacie Freeman, who always brightened the room with her smile and was consistently there for me. I also recall a Bethel student named Lauren, whom I met during my time in the program; she felt like a sister to me. Mr. Garrett Burns took leadership of the program during my last year, and I received a gift upon graduating from the tutoring program.

"McKenzie means so much to me because it was the place I grew up in and always knew. The small community was always welcoming; everyone either knew you or you knew them. McKenzie truly feels like home to me. Yes, it is a small town, but I wouldn’t trade it for any other place. This is my home. I remember cheering, being a football manager, and running track in high school, and I can recall how the community took care of me. The parents of my teammates always checked in on me and expressed their gratitude for looking after their children. You simply can’t experience a sense of belonging like this in any other town but McKenzie.

"One of the reasons I chose Bethel is because it's close to home. If I ever need anything from home, I can just drive five minutes or walk ten minutes. Additionally, I didn't have a car at the time to attend a school farther away. Looking back, I’m actually really glad I chose Bethel; if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t be the God-fearing woman I am today. I wouldn’t have met my long-term friends, whom I now consider sisters, and I wouldn’t have had the experiences that brought me to where I am today. Bethel has shaped my faith and introduced me to those who now walk in faith with me.

"Don’t get me wrong; it’s not an easy journey, but I can confidently say it has been the most rewarding path I have ever chosen for myself.

I want to emphasize that while Bethel may be a small campus located in a town some might consider "boring," it is also a place that helps you develop your walk with Christ, cultivate long-term friendships, and feel genuinely welcomed.

Garrett Burns is the Chaplain at Bethel University.  He is the pastor at Fulton Cumberland Presbyterian Church and a Chaplain in the United States Navy.

Freeman is a professor of Sociology at Bethel. She is also the director of Bethel University’s Global Studies.