Health Devils give back

College of Health Solutions Director of Employee Engagement Kissa Powell kicked off Days of Service in 2025 with the mission to give back to the community and create a solid foundation for working within the community – one of the pillars of the Health Solutions’ charter.

ASU’s charter emphasizes the importance of assuming responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves.

“When ASU employees step into the community, they bring the ASU charter to life in tangible ways. For College of Health Solutions employees, service takes on an even bigger meaning. Health isn’t just about medical care, it’s about strengthening community well-being,” said Christina Ngo, Arizona State University executive director of social embeddedness.

Through Days of Service, Health Solutions employees work to fulfill that mission.

“When I started, I had a lofty goal, but I wanted the College of Health Solutions to be the blueprint for what service within a college looks like. I want to continue to expand that, and I want to increase the presence of our faculty and our staff,” Powell said of the future of Days of Service.

Powell found that individual service events weren’t enough to make an impact on the community or the college, so she began Days of Service to create a consistent schedule to allow people to complete acts of service.

“I wanted to give people an opportunity to have some regular structure to give back, to have some greater purpose, particularly in times where things are challenging,” Powell said.

Days of Service now run two to three times per month with organizations ranging from animal shelters and food banks to Naloxone clinics and urban gardens. Employees across ASU are granted eight volunteer hours per year to participate in service events like these.

“By encouraging employees to use their paid volunteer time off, Dean Yudell is sending a message that this time isn’t just a benefit, it’s an investment. It demonstrates that the leadership (of the College of Health Solutions) values their employees’ time and sees service as part of their professional contributions,” Ngo said.

Since January, 90 individual employee volunteers have stepped up to complete Days of Service.

“Every (College of Health Solutions) volunteer event is a chance to show that faculty, staff and students are neighbors and partners fostering healthier futures. When (College of Health Solutions) employees use this time, they strengthen local trust, ensuring that the ‘Sun Devil’ isn’t just a mascot but a symbol of service and care. Volunteering reminds the community that ASU’s impact isn’t abstract or far away; it is deeply personal, local and lasting,” Ngo said.

For those who volunteer, fulfillment comes from a variety of places, from the community found within the college to a passion for service stretching beyond the bounds of ASU.

“The most meaningful aspect of my volunteer experience has been the sense of camaraderie shared with others who are driven by similar goals and a passion for service. So working alongside individuals who care deeply about making a difference has been both inspiring and motivating, and these experiences have reaffirmed my belief that there is still kindness, compassion and goodness in the world,” said one participant.

In the future, Powell hopes to expand to new organizations and assist different populations, such as veterans, children and those affected by chronic illness.

“(My goal is to expand) to more health-oriented organizations, sprinkling in some different stuff with animals or going to cooling centers. But always maintaining this opportunity where people can come together, give back and feel that purpose, but also get to know one another and build community in the process,” Powell said.

• 31.5 total volunteer hours since January.

• 90 individuals have volunteered since January.

• 7,300 meals have been packed for Feed My Starving Children since January across four sessions.

• 2,181 Naloxone kits packed for the City of Phoenix Office of Public Health — the most kits packed in a single session in program history. This contribution alone should keep all of the city facility distribution sites fully stocked for two months.