Thousands of students, faculty and staff compose N.C. State’s community.

And though many of these lives are intertwined through classes, clubs and mutual friends, students have an opportunity to become an important part of the surrounding community through volunteer work.

Both the University and local service clubs provide options from which students can choose to delve into a volunteer project of their choice.

The Center for Student Leadership, Ethics and Public Service is an accessible gateway to providing service and learning leadership skills.

CSLEPS is an organization that has a goal to help students realize their passion and direct it through the path of service. The organization offers various programs that include or are centered upon volunteer work.

One program, Alternative Service Break, formerly Alternative Spring Break, is offered each break from school, including fall, spring, summer and winter breaks. Each break has different places and programs set up to apply for and help out.

Mike Giancola, director of CSLEPS, said students may apply for programs taking place in Asheville — such as one by Habitat for Humanity — this fall break.

“We’re really excited about this upcoming break because it’s focused on involving international as well as American students, cross-culturally with service,” Giancola said.

Giancola said he believes Americans have a certain level of privilege — that living with this privilege each day comes with an ethical responsibility and obligation to give back and help serve.

And with each volunteering effort, Giancola added, students can learn different perspectives about the people they help.

Marie Basista, a freshman in communication, said she has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and events organized by her sorority Delta Zeta. She said such events have kept her involved in the community.

Maddie Langley, a junior in art and design, said she has become part of the community by volunteering for Habitat for Humanity through the rugby team and for other programs through the College of Textiles.

By joining clubs on campus and checking out opportunities through her college, Langley said she was able to get involved — and she advises others to do the same.

“It was a good time to help out my community and have fun with my friends at the same time,” Langley said.