COLUMBIA, S.C. (courtesy columbiasc.edu) — Columbia College continues to offer varied opportunities to emphasize service, social justice, and leadership within and throughout its community. During the week of January 8, the college hosted Zonta Club of Columbia for a Human Trafficking Information Panel, including representatives from the Richland County Sheriff’s Department, the South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force, South Carolina Victim Assistance Network, Pathways to Healing, Zonta Club of Columbia, and even a survivor of human trafficking. In addition to the over 100 attendees, the SC Attorney General Alan Wilson and Senator Katrina Shealy were also in attendance. By supporting the Zonta Club of Columbia and hosting this event, Columbia College seeks to partner in educating our community on this growing area of public concern.
Following the Zonta of Columbia sponsored Human Trafficking Information Panel, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Community Resources presented the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Service on Friday, January 12, 2024. This annual commemorative service serves to remind the Columbia College community of how our campus values align with the life and teachings of Dr. King and his service and sacrifice to the modern world. The event centered around learning more about who Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was as a person, studying each stage of his life in depth. Following the breakout sessions studying each phase of his life, the group re-convened to share takeaways and ways to implement more of Dr. King’s teachings into the daily experience at Columbia College. It remains a top priority for Columbia College to intentionally seek out ways to commemorate leaders from our past and present that embody the values we hope to bring to our campus, community, and world.