Community
Center for Service and Learning
The Center for Service and Learning engages students, faculty, staff, and community members in educationally meaningful service to promote learning and development; advances best practices and research; achieves community goals through partnerships; and furthers the civic engagement mission of IUPUI. As a metropolitan campus, IUPUI is well positioned to involve students, faculty, and staff in service to the local community. Fostering an ethic of service and civic participation in students who will be today’s and tomorrow’s leaders and volunteers makes the center and its programs one of IUPUI’s important bridges into the community.
Service Learning Classes
Service learning is a course-based, credit-bearing educational experience that allows students to participate in an organized service activity designed in active collaboration with the community to address community-identified pressing social or community concerns. Through reflection on their community experience, students deepen their understanding of course content, broaden their appreciation of the discipline, and develop an enhanced sense of personal and professional values and civic responsibility. Courses officially designated as service learning courses may be found on the Registrar’s website.
Community Work-Study
Community work-study engages community partners and students in meaningful work experiences that not only help partners reach their organizational goals but also help students learn and develop through community-based, real-world experiences. Community work-study provides students an opportunity to integrate career exploration and educational experiences with meaningful employment. Community work-study positions are available and posted on JagJobs.
Volunteering
The Center for Service and Learning supports involvement in educationally meaningful community service opportunities in the greater Indianapolis area. Through intentionally planned activities, students learn about social issues facing the community, serve with nonprofit organizations that address these social issues, and reflect on their experiences to guide their future actions.
Many IUPUI scholarships and units require community service in their programs. The Center for Service and Learning staff can assist in identifying service projects for courses, student organizations, and other units, as well as individual students. More information about community service opportunities may be found at the Center for Service and Learning’s website.
IUPUI also offers a robust Alternative Break Program that supports student travel outside of the greater Indianapolis area during academic breaks. Students participate in intensive service experiences over several days and then apply their learning in the Indianapolis community. Additional information about alternative breaks is available through the Division of Student Affairs.
Sam H. Jones Community Service Scholarship Program
In recognition of students’ involvement in and with their community, the Sam H. Jones Community Service Scholarship program offers over 150 scholarships annually to fund eligible students to continue their community engagement activities. The program is composed of different cohorts that are engaged in a variety of activities, including assisting faculty mentors with service learning courses, staffing the on-campus food pantry, leading peers in service projects, and tutoring at local schools. Most scholarships are due February 1, but deadlines vary.
