Community Service and Service-Learning

Civic engagement is all about getting engaged with your community – right here in Millersville and Lancaster, or with a national or international program. We are here as a resource for students, faculty, staff and community members – to help you connect with, build, and sustain meaningful service initiatives. Take a look at the information here, and if you have a question, would like to meet with us, or need more information than we provide here, please contact us.

What's the difference between community service and service-learning?

Service-learning and community service are both forms of civic engagement. Many internships are also considered a form of civic engagement.

Service-learning...

is curricular – that is, it's part of an academic course you are taking. Your professor may ask you to volunteer at a certain type of organization, or your class may do a service project with a school or agency, or you may work with a community partner on some research or a special project. All of those would be examples of service-learning because they are integrated in to your coursework. In order for a course to be a service-learning course it must include a service requirement that meets a community need, relates to the syllabus and some type of reflection that allows the student to show the connection between class and community has been made. For more information click here.

Community service..

is co-curricular or extra-curricular – it's something you do apart from or in addition to your academic studies. You may be doing community service through a student organization, fraternity or sorority, or club. You may enjoy helping others and want to volunteer in the local community on your own. Community service can also be a great way to get experience in the career you're planning or explore something totally different. For more information click here.

Work Study and Scholarship Programs

are you committed to service, or would you like to become involved at a higher level? We have programs that might help support your efforts. For more information click here.

• Federal Work Study Volunteer Program
• Summer Internship Awards for unpaid internships