“Don’t let any idea you might have about yourself, like ‘I’m too young’ or ‘I’m too old,’ stop you from serving or having a new experience. You can do it and make new friends and make an impact.”

Garfield Granett is a 2025 graduate from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in German. He started his degree after graduating high school over twenty-five years ago, but when his mother became sick, he withdrew to take care of her and entered the workforce.

“I had this thought that, if I change nothing, I could end up working at a desk for another fifteen or twenty years, and that wouldn’t really be fulfilling,” said Granett. “I had been so fortunate and had so many opportunities that I wanted to give back.”

After his mother passed away, Granett decided to honor her memory by returning to MSU, completing his degree, and starting the next chapter of his life in public service. He researched several, before enrolling in the Peace Corps Prep program upon readmission to MSU.

Since entering this program, community-engaged learning has been a significant part of Granett’s Spartan experience. He first registered to join a Spartan Day of Service, for which he organized library books at Pattengill Elementary School. Following this first experience, he continued to participate in events and volunteer opportunities promoted by the Center for Community Engaged Learning.

During a Day of Service, Granett was introduced to Alternative Spartan Breaks (ASB) by another volunteer. He attended an ASB meeting ahead of Spring Break 2024 and was excited about the opportunity to volunteer with a partner organization in a community that was new to him. While Granett felt self-conscious at first as an older non-traditional student, he quickly bonded with his fellow undergraduate volunteers as friends.

Together, this team spent their spring break tutoring young refugees and supporting nonprofit development programs in Memphis, Tennessee. The experience confirmed to Granett that working with the Peace Corps in the education sector was the right choice for him, and he found a support network through his team members as he completed his degree.

“Refugee populations aren’t isolated just to Memphis or just to Lansing,” said Granett. “There are community groups everywhere trying to give assistance, and they all need volunteers. Just because you don’t necessarily see it in the places you go to doesn’t mean there isn’t a need for support.”

In addition, ASB’s focus on orienting experiences around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals provided Granett with an international framework for his service. “This community-engaged learning component has been by far my most memorable takeaway, and I love that Michigan State is leading the way on this.”

Granett will depart in June to serve as an English Education and Community Development Facilitator in Mongolia.