Join UVA in Making a Difference: Volunteer as a Tutor!

UVA 2030 Plan, Goal #2: Cultivate the Most Vibrant Community in Higher Education. Be a Strong Partner with and Good Neighbor to the Charlottesville region

As part of the UVA 2030 Plan, the University is committed to building a vibrant community and being a strong partner to the Charlottesville region. One way we’re living this mission is through the University Police Department (UPD) Tutoring Program, which supports local students while fostering meaningful connections beyond UVA Grounds.

Last month, UPD Sergeant Wallace Goode was honored by the Life Enrichment Center (LEC) for his dedication as a second-grade reading tutor. His work exemplifies how UVA employees can make a lasting impact in our community. Sgt. Goode, along with other UVA volunteers, helps bridge learning gaps that arose during the pandemic by offering one-on-one tutoring and mentorship to young students in need. The UPD was also nominated for and received Law Enforcement Partner of the Year by LEC, and was rewarded with a $500 Community Service Grant.  

Since its launch, the LEC program has engaged over 2,000 tutors, and today, fifteen volunteers from UVA, including those from the UPD and Department of Safety and Security, are part of this meaningful effort. These volunteers have not only improved reading proficiency at Greer Elementary School but have also shown students a positive, human side of law enforcement.

For Sgt. Goode, this experience has been transformative. The bond he formed with his student, Yasin, extended beyond the classroom and illustrated the potential of this program to change lives. Through weekly sessions, Sgt. Goode taught reading skills, and in return, Yasin taught him to appreciate life’s simple joys. “He [Yasin] showed me that we need to enjoy life and live in the now. And be happy for no reason at all." 

Often, kids only see police when they’re interacting with their parents’ issues, but the tutoring program helps students see police officers in a different way, being proactive, and they get to know them beyond the uniform. “We’re people too and like to have fun," noted Sgt. Goode, showing how these partnerships break down stereotypes and build trust. Sgt. Goode honored Yasin at the Gala with new fishing equipment.

As the program continues to grow, it needs more volunteers to help meet increasing demand. The fall tutoring session is now underway, and there are still four open spots for volunteers. This is an opportunity for you to give back, connect with our community, and make a tangible difference in a child’s life. University and Classified Staff received 16 hours per calendar year of paid School Assistance and Volunteer Service Leave, while University Medical Center team members may receive approval from their supervisor for up to 8 hours of paid Public Service Leave per calendar year. As all the UPD tutors have reported, the experience has been transformative for them

Noted Program Director Brandi Pannell, “There are so many people who look down on law enforcement and fail to realize that they are real people behind the uniform. That is one of the beautiful things about this program -- it personifies the uniform. One of our students started out drawing a police station as a brick building with people in orange jumpsuits in front of it. By the end of the school year, he was drawing himself and his police officer on top of a mountain. How cool is that?”

If you’re interested in joining this incredible program, reach out to Brandi Pannell to learn more. Together, we can help make our community stronger, one student at a time.