Nutrition students at Benedictine University in Mesa know the recipe for success in school. (photo from BenU at Mesa Facebook page)
Nutrition students at Benedictine University in Mesa know the recipe for success in school. Hard work plus real-life experience through internships produce a career- and civic-minded workforce. (photo from BenU at Mesa Facebook page)

Whether they’re just finishing the first week of the spring semester or enjoying the last days of semester break, many college students are making them count.

Students from Bridgewater State University are ensuring the Massachusetts campus live up to its promise to “empower individuals and instill in its community an abiding desire to advance the public good.” Ten students are using their final days of academic freedom to serve any guest who walks through the doors at André House of Arizona because they are hungry, homeless, in need of a shower or other service.

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André House photostream

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The nonprofit offers soupline and hospitality services plus transitional housing and prayer opportunities. Twelve students from Kings College served there last week.

Students at Benedictine University in Mesa hope to soon make a similar type of community impact. The campus announced efforts Jan. 13 to offer an expanded work experience program that reaches every student. The university will partner with local businesses and the City of Mesa to offer relevant internships. That includes the Mesa Police Department.

“We are growing our relationships with the community every day to develop other professional internship experiences,” Kevin Broeckling, associate vice president for Student Life, said in a statement.

Students at Gonzaga University are ready to tackle another semester. They’re finishing the first week of the spring term.

That means final grades from the fall are in. Names of those who made the presidents list for the fall term went public Jan. 13. Exactly 28 students enrolled there from Arizona made the list. All but six are from the Diocese of Phoenix.

The University of Mary has been approved to offer its third doctoral degree: a doctorate of education. It’s aimed at addressing leadership challenges emerging through K-12 and higher education, according to a press release. The first cohort will begin in August at the main campus in Bismarck, ND. Separate courses are also offered in Tempe.

“Preparing educational leaders who can bring about school improvement in institutions and systems is critical as educators strive to meet the needs of rapidly expanding districts,” Dr. Rod Jonas, dean of the Liffrig Family School of Education and Behavioral Science at U-Mary, said in a statement.