What improvement was suggested to increase volunteer participation in LEAD Scholars events?

• A. Offer volunteer hours to LEAD students
• B. Pay volunteers
• C. Hire external staff
• D. Cancel the event

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is how to motivate students to participate in volunteer activities. Providing official volunteer hours for LEAD Scholars events gives students a concrete, valued benefit they can apply toward graduation requirements or include on résumés. This alignment with students’ academic and career goals makes volunteering feel worthwhile and feasible within their schedules, which naturally boosts participation.

Other approaches don’t fit as well. Paying volunteers can blur the line between volunteering and paid work and may raise policy and budget concerns. Hiring external staff shifts the focus away from student involvement and doesn’t address the motivational aspect for student participation. Canceling the event removes the opportunity entirely, which clearly wouldn’t increase participation.