SAY Village
What's it like to be part of SAY?
Listen in as residents talk about being a part of SAY Village and how it has benefitted their educational experience.
Janay Graham
Chad Ragland
Makayla Smith
Carolyn Carter
Ellena Brown
Enjoy working with children? Looking to make a difference in your community? Interested in making life-long friendships during your first semester of college? If so, the Students Advocating for Youth Village (SAY Village) might be just the place for you as a first-year student!
Located in Syme Residence Hall, SAY provides the chance for students not only to live and to learn but to apply what they learn in a real-world setting. Whether your career goal is to become a teacher, doctor, psychologist, engineer, park ranger, entrepreneur, graphic designer, or anything else – SAY will provide valuable experiences and interactions. We are looking for students from all backgrounds and all majors who have an interest in contributing to the community, the university, and the lives of younger, underserved children.
So, what does it mean to live in the SAY Village and be a SAY Youth Advocate? Students living in the Village enjoy the close-knit Syme community along with the many group activities and programs offered. Each student will also become a youth advocate where they will develop a year-long mentoring relationship with a selected "mentee". Working with three local elementary schools, SAY students are paired with a 4th or 5th grade student (mentee). SAY participants work with their designated mentee once a week to help them develop life skills that will build upon their potential.
Many students enjoy their first-year SAY experience so much that they choose to return as second-year students! To serve our second-year participants, we offer the "Determined Area Youth" (DAY) program, in which participants assist middle school students to develop self-advocacy skills.
Located across the street from the College of Education's Poe Hall, Syme Hall and SAY Village are in close proximity to Hillsborough Street restaurants, Raleigh's Pullen Park, and the university's own Clark Dining Hall. The building itself is hall style, with ample space to meet new friends. SAY students also receive the benefit of having Education Advisors, These advisors are former SAY students employed to serve as resources and peer mentors, and they live right on the hall!
Sound like fun? Trust us - SAY Village is a great way to have fun while making friends and giving back to the community. Interested in joining SAY Village? All you have to do is complete a simple application (link?). We'd love to have you live, learn, and grow with us!
SAY Village is a partnership between the College of Education and University Housing.
Unique Community Features
- Field experiences at local Wake county schools
- A special class, ED 150 and ED 151, "Issues in Youth Advocacy" (1 credit each, all Village members participate)
- One-on-one interaction with faculty in and out of the classroom
- Access to the SAY Computer Lab in Syme Hall
- Participation in Village service projects
- Early move-in to Syme Hall in the fall semester (avoid the move-in rush!)
- Fun Village social events
- Being part of a caring and collaborative environment where you form friendships that will last a lifetime
Contact Information
Robin McWilliams
College of Education
SAY Director
Phone: (919) 513-0795
Melissa Cream
College of Education
SAY Graduate Assistant
Phone: (919) 513-2717
Lisa LaBarbera-Mascote
Associate Director, Northeast Campus
University
Housing
Phone: (919) 515-3816
