Community and Campus Leaders Reflect on 25 Years of RSVP Conversation Hours
For 25 years, the RSVP Conversation Hours have been a defining part of CIEP at the UNI
Founded in 2001 by Mike Williams, UNI Emeritus Professional and Science Member, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Conversation Hours program was designed to help international students strengthen their English skills while building meaningful relationships with the Cedar Valley community. Today, it remains one of the most cherished experiences for both students and volunteers.
Each Wednesday afternoon, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., international students gather with retired senior volunteers to talk about language, culture, current events, and everyday life. These weekly sessions offer far more than English practice, they create a welcoming space where students feel supported, connected, and at home.
In an interview with Jaime West, Lead Academic Support Specialist for CIEP, who leads CIEP instructors and provides guidance and supervision for all aspects of CIEP academics, labs, and testing; Kelsey Korzenowski, AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP Coordinator at the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley; and Ava Deitrich, Student Services Coordinator in the Office of International Engagement, the three shared their reflections on the program’s impact, growth, and meaning.
RSVP’s Impact on Students and Volunteers
While each leader brings a unique perspective, Ava Deitrich emphasized the profound effect RSVP has on CIEP students. She explained that many international students have limited opportunities to engage with the broader community, and RSVP fills that gap by bringing volunteers directly to campus.
Jaime sees this confidence-building as the heart of the program. She shared that students often arrive nervous about speaking English, but those nerves quickly disappear once they meet the volunteers. After the very first meeting this semester, several students told Jaime that they couldn’t wait to return the following week; a testament to the welcoming environment volunteers create.
During each session, volunteers are typically paired with one or two students. A lab leader provides a discussion topic, but groups are encouraged to follow the natural flow of conversation. Discussions often center on culture, traditions, habits, and daily life, giving both volunteers and students the chance to share personal stories and learn from one another. This structure allows students to practice English in a relaxed, authentic way while forming meaningful relationships.
Their warmth, curiosity, and genuine interest put students at ease almost immediately.
These structured conversations help students build confidence in English while forming meaningful personal connections.
Growing Participation and Deepening Community Connections
Over the past year, RSVP has seen notable growth in volunteer participation. Jaime noted that many new volunteers join through word of mouth; this reflects the program’s positive reputation in the community. This increase was especially helpful last fall when CIEP welcomed a larger number of students. While volunteers receive an orientation at the start of each term, they are welcome to join at any time, ensuring the program remains flexible and accessible.
For Kelsey, what makes this collaboration especially meaningful is the intergenerational connection it fosters. She explained that providing seniors in the community with the opportunity to meet young people from around the world is both unique and deeply valuable. These interactions, she noted, encourage understanding, curiosity, and connection across generations. Kelsey also shared a memorable message from a volunteer who recently joined the program. For her, messages like this capture the heart of RSVP; a program that enriches everyone involved.
It’s such an honor to be with the international students at UNI. I marvel at their bravery in coming to Cedar Falls, speaking very little English, and being willing to immerse themselves in our culture and wanting to learn our language. I am learning so much from them. Thank you for providing this opportunity
Sustaining RSVP’s Mission Through Strong Community Partnerships
For Jaime, Ava, and Kelsey alike, the partnership with the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley is foundational to RSVP’s success. VCCV expands the program’s reach, strengthens community engagement, and helps bring volunteers directly to campus. Kelsey expressed her gratitude for the collaboration, noting that RSVP volunteers truly love this opportunity and value the relationships they build with students.
As RSVP celebrates 25 years, its purpose remains unchanged: to bring people together through conversation. And thanks to dedicated volunteers and leaders like Jaime, Kelsey, and Ava, the program continues to embody the spirit of welcome that defines UNI — one conversation at a time.