Natalia Kirychuk
  • Theatre
  • Class of 2019
  • Glen Burnie, MD

Natalia Kirychuk of Glen Burnie, MD, Serves Marginalized People Groups

2018 Jan 12

Most college courses include notes, papers and exams, but for Natalia Kirychuk, a junior theatre performance major at Cedarville University, it involves another unique requirement: community service. Cedarville's Advocacy Communication class required Kirychuk to complete 30 hours of service during the semester with a nonprofit organization of her choice.

While the class required 30 hours of service, the students went above and beyond. Kirychuk and her 10 classmates completed more than 1,000 service hours since August. For some, this continued a previous commitment with a new focus for the class, and for others this was an opportunity to try something new.

Kirychuk, from Glen Burnie, MD, spent her semester working with two different organizations: Miami Valley Women's Center, a pregnancy resource clinic in Xenia, Ohio; and King's Kids, a ministry for refugee children in Dayton, Ohio. Kirychuk had the unique opportunity of intentionally serving those who are marginalized in American society, and it quickly became one of her passions.

"I have absolutely loved serving those who can't speak for themselves," said Kirychuck.

For Heather Heritage, assistant professor of communication, the Advocacy Communication class is valuable because it gives students not only book knowledge, but the practical experience that will help them apply classroom lessons and provide unforgettable opportunities to serve others.


"The skills they learn in this class will benefit anyone who has a passion or a desire to love others," said Heritage. "And it will leave students with an experience they will remember for a lifetime."


Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 3,963 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and leading student satisfaction ratings. For more information about the University,
visit www.cedarville.edu.