The TMC Minute
Welcome from the Dean Natalie Person
by Dr. Natalie Person, Dean for Community Engagement and Executive Director of the Lynne and Henry Turley Memphis Center for Community Engagement
Welcome to the first edition of The TMC Minute, our new monthly newsletter from The Lynne and Henry Turley Memphis Center for Community Engagement. Each month, we’ll share stories of connection, collaboration, and impact—highlighting how our students, faculty, staff, and community partners are working together to make Memphis stronger.
As Rhodes celebrates 100 years in Memphis, we’re reflecting on a century of learning and service and the college’s deep and evolving relationship with our beloved city. This legacy continues to shape who we are and who we aspire to be. As part of our centennial celebration—Rhodes into Memphis: 100 Years of Service—the Rhodes community is pledging 50,000 hours of service to the community during the 2025–26 academic year. This ambitious goal allows us to live into the values inscribed on the Rhodes seal: Truth, Loyalty, and Service and expresses our commitment to Memphis in the next century and beyond.
The TMC’s meaningful work thrives because of our exceptional staff. I’m delighted to introduce three new members of the TMC team, each bringing fresh energy and ideas to our mission.
Jessica Cowan (she/her) joins us as the Associate Director of the TMC. She brings over 10 years of experience working with and within higher education programs, businesses, and nonprofit organizations. She specifically moved back to the Memphis area in 2016 to serve the community. She’s taught at Rhodes as an adjunct professor in Computer Science since 2022 and owns a consulting company, Cowan Consulting, that specializes in building high performance teams. She is proud 2011 Rhodes alumna and has an MEd in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs from the University of Southern California.
Marisol Palomo (she/her) joins us as the new Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Bonner Director. Marisol is coming to us from Memphis Rise Academy, Inc. and has extensive experience in education, public administration, and community engagement in Colorado and Tennessee. She earned her BA in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Rochester in 2016 and her Masters of Public Administration from Colorado Christian University in 2021.
Arthur Jenkins (they/she) joins us as the new Bonner Coordinator. Arthur graduated as a Bonner Scholar from Centre College in 2024 with a BA in Politics and History. They most recently served as the Residential Life Coordinator as Berea College and join our team with demonstrated skills in crisis management and organizational leadership.
Here’s to celebrating 100 years of Rhodes in Memphis—and to building the next century of collaboration, service, and shared impact. Thanks for reading and for being part of our community.
Highlights in the Community
Each month, we highlight members of the Rhodes community who are making an impact across Memphis through service, scholarship, and connection.
Malcolm ’26 — Chemistry Major, St. John’s Soup Kitchen Coordinator, St. Jude Intern
Hometown: Senatobia, Mississippi
Tell us about how you got involved in the community.
I first got involved my freshman year after attending the Involvement Fair. That’s where I connected with the St. John’s Soup Kitchen — a program run through the Kinney organization. My role is to coordinate the kitchen’s budget, meals, and overall operations.
What motivates you to serve?
I believe with great power comes great responsibility. The education we receive here isn’t just for us — it’s for the betterment of those around us. I also intern at St. Jude doing cancer research, which reminds me that our skills can make a real difference.
What do you love about your work at St. John’s?
There’s something special about giving your time and seeing the smiles of people you serve. Whether it’s a hot meal or warm clothing, being a small light in someone’s day is the greatest reward.
How has this experience shaped your view of Memphis?
It’s given me a more holistic view of the city. The media doesn’t always show Memphis in the best light, but when you work in the community, you meet amazing people who care deeply and are doing great work.
What advice do you have for others who want to get involved?
It’s easier than people think! There are opportunities everywhere — not just soup kitchens or card making. Whatever your interests are, there’s something that fits. You can start by connecting with the Turley Memphis Center, the Kinney Program, or by exploring Rhodes Engage online.
About St. John’s Soup Kitchen
St. John’s Soup Kitchen is the longest-running student-led soup kitchen in the country. Every week, volunteers prepare and serve a meal at St. John’s Methodist Church — and anyone is welcome to join, including staff.
Favorite community memory:
Participating in the 901 Day 5K for Unite Memphis — running with others who are passionate about giving back was both exhausting and inspiring!
Final thought:
Doing service in Memphis is “dangerous” — not in the way you might think, but because once you start, it’s hard to stop. It’s incredibly rewarding and contagious in the best way.
Rev. Beatrix Weil — Chaplain, Rhodes College
Years at Rhodes: 8
Tell us about your community involvement.
I’m active at Evergreen Presbyterian Church, and through that work I’m involved with MICAH (Memphis Interfaith Coalition for Action and Hope) and MIFA (Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association). As Chaplain, it’s important for me to stay connected to faith leaders across Memphis.
How do you build those connections?
I work closely with our Religious Community Partners (RCPs) — local faith leaders who support Rhodes student organizations like Hillel, Reformed University Fellowship, and Catholic Student Association. Each fall, I host an appreciation gathering for them to honor the mentorship they provide to our students.
I also stay involved with the MICAH Clergy and Executive Directors Caucus and the MIFA Sacred Stillness program. These connections help me support students, faculty, and staff by linking them to local faith communities that meet their needs.
Who benefits from this work?
When I connect students to local houses of worship, they find intergenerational friendships, mentorship, and spiritual growth — and those communities benefit from their leadership in return.
What motivates you?
Interfaith bridge-building strengthens my own Christian faith and helps me be a good neighbor. Connecting across difference is not only meaningful — it’s fun!
How can others get involved?
Volunteer with MIFA or get your faith community involved with MICAH. And if you’re interested in learning more about interfaith leadership, Interfaith America is a great resource.
Dr. Shaolu Yu — Associate Professor of Urban Studies & Chair of Asian and Asian American Studies
Years at Rhodes: 10
Tell us about your community engagement work.
Community engagement is central to both my teaching and research. Our communities are essential partners in learning — offering opportunities for students to apply their knowledge while we, in turn, use our skills to support and strengthen those communities.
How did your community involvement begin?
My first project in Memphis focused on Chinese-owned grocery stores in the Mississippi Delta. That work connected me with Chinese communities across the South and led to the founding of the Chinese Historical Society of Memphis and the Mid-South, where I served on the board from 2016–2022. Together, we hosted public events at Rhodes and successfully proposed two historical markers recognizing Chinese history in Memphis.
How do you bring this into your teaching?
In my Urban Studies and GIS courses, students work directly with community partners like the Levitt Shell, Memphis Public Library, Crosstown Arts, and others. These projects allow students to apply their research skills to real-world needs — like evaluating community events or collecting data for urban planning initiatives.
Each semester, my classes collaborate with local planners, architects, and nonprofits, many led by Rhodes alumni. These partnerships give students professional experience and strengthen Rhodes’ positive presence in Memphis.
What inspires you about this work?
The generosity of our community partners — their openness to hosting our students and sharing their expertise — constantly inspires me. I hope to continue finding ways to give back through scholarship, teaching, and collaboration.
Community Partner Highlight: Volunteer Odyssey
Featuring: Caroline Norris, CEO of Volunteer Odyssey
Tell us about yourself and the organization you’re representing.
My name is Caroline Norris, and I’m the CEO of Volunteer Odyssey, a nonprofit dedicated to connecting Memphians with meaningful volunteer opportunities. Our big vision is to see each nonprofit partner has the right volunteers at the right time in the right place to fulfill their mission of making a better Memphis for the next generation. It's simple but critical - nonprofits survive on the people-power of volunteers. We are the hub that tries to make that easy.
How long has Volunteer Odyssey been around?
Volunteer Odyssey is a local nonprofit that was founded in 2013, so we’ve been serving the city for over a decade. What began as a small initiative to share volunteer stories has grown into Memphis’s central hub for volunteer engagement — and we’re proud to partner with more than 200 local nonprofits and thousands of volunteers each year.
How would you describe your organization’s impact in Memphis, and who do you primarily serve?
We serve both volunteers and nonprofits. For volunteers, we make it simple to find opportunities that fit their passions and schedules — whether that’s serving meals, tutoring students, supporting shelters, or cleaning up parks. For nonprofits, we build capacity by providing the technology and training they need to run strong volunteer programs, making it easier to recruit, retain, and engage the people who keep their missions moving forward.
Through our partnerships and platform, we’ve helped tens of thousands of Memphians connect with causes that matter, which strengthens neighborhoods, builds relationships, and amplifies the spirit of service that makes this city special.
“Our dream is to make Memphis the most generous city in America — and we believe that starts one volunteer at a time.”
What inspires you to do this work?
Memphis is a city with incredible heart. Every day, I see people who want to make a difference but just need a pathway to do so. My inspiration comes from witnessing those connections — when someone finds a cause that lights them up, or when a nonprofit tells us, “We couldn’t have done this without our volunteers.” Those moments remind me why this work matters.
Is there a story or project you’re particularly proud of?
I’m especially proud of our partnership with Rhodes College and the Turley Memphis Center through the Rhodes into Memphis: 100 Years of Service campaign. It’s a powerful example of collaboration with community nonprofits. Together, we have created a structure that tracks service, celebrates engagement, and deepens the relationship between campus and community.
We’ve also seen incredible success with corporate volunteer days, where local businesses bring their teams together to serve. Watching employees from different backgrounds and on all levels of the org chart roll up their sleeves to help a trail clean-up or community garden is something I’ll never get tired of.
How can others get involved or connected?
The easiest way to get involved is through our website: serve.volunteerodyssey.com. Not sure where you want to serve? No problem! You’ll find hundreds of incredible organizations to choose from. Only have a few hours? Perfect. There are plenty of short, one-time opportunities that make a big impact. You can search by cause, date, or location. Just find one that fits and sign up. It’s that easy.
We also love partnering with companies, schools, and community organizations to create customized volunteer experiences. Whether you’re looking to serve once or start a long-term partnership, there’s a place for you in Memphis’s volunteer story. We'd be honored to help.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities
Check out these upcoming volunteer opportunities and many more on Rhodes Engage.
Upcoming TMC Events
Check out these upcoming TMC events.
