In Senegal, the poverty rate, educational quality, and information and communications technology adoption rates have limited the capacity of the nation on its journey to self-reliance. The impact of COVID-19 has added stress, with schools, universities, and research institutions ordered to close in mid-March. Though the Ministry of National Education launched a national effort to deliver instructional material at all education levels via television and radio, which enabled some learners to keep learning, albeit on a diminished scale, many more were hindered by inequitable access to televisions, Internet, and other e-learning technology.
Institutions were not the only partner in the nation’s response to COVID-19. Students at the nation’s public universities came together to assist with the transition through the organization 100,000 Students Against COVID-19. This case study examines the practices and impacts of this initiative and showcases how a positive youth development approach can be utilized in higher education to provide youth the tools to leverage their agency and contribution to respond to current and future crises.