Jacob Yudt, a 2023 graduate of Slippery Rock University, is capitalizing on an opportunity to give back to his community through the Prince of Peace Center in Mercer County.
Yudt, a youth intervention specialist, is facilitating the Q Academy, a new youth program created by the Prince of Peace Center for male students in grades 7-12. The academy focuses on providing young men in the Sharon City School District with positive male role models in their formative years. A total of 36 mentors are matched with 18 students in the program. The Prince of Peace Center also helps financially, as students receive $10 for each class attended. Half of the money given is automatically put aside into a savings account for the student.
Yudt, a native of Sharpsville, Mercer County, who majored in secondary education at SRU, is applying the knowledge and skills he acquired in college while also serving his community.
“I can use this opportunity, not only with my particular major I graduated with, but to also get out there with other schools in the area,” Yudt said.
Yudt recounted his time at SRU as positive and extremely beneficial, crediting the faculty and staff in the College of Education as always being available to help whenever needed.
“They never gave us a shortage of knowing what resources were available to us,” Yudt said. “If you had a question, there was an answer for it, and if they didn’t know, they would help go through it with you.”
Although he’s not working as a traditional teacher, Yudt now works directly with students, utilizing his education degree to change lives for the better. When asked about any advice he would like to give to college students, Yudt encouraged them to always have an open mind, no matter what career you are pursuing.
“Always be open to listening to what other areas have,” he said. “Always keep an open mind. I, never in my wildest dreams, thought that I could even have a chance like this, to see how an organization can impact a community in such a great way. As long as you keep an open mind, the sky is the limit.”
More information about the Prince of Peace Center can be found on its website. More information about the secondary education program at SRU is available on the program webpage.
