Volunteer Central is Millersville University's connection to community and academic partnerships for student's faculty, and staff.  We faciliate civic engagement services including community service, service-learning, and federal work study opportunities.  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 to help you connect with, build, and sustain meaningful service initiatives.  Our office is located at the Bedford House (Across the street from the SMC).  Come visit us to consult with a member from our staff so we can help meet your needs.  If you would like more information, please contact us.

Sarah Billings (center), Social Work intern addresses the County Commissioners about Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.

Volunteer Central is a recipient of the 2009 Distinguished President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.  The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, launched in 2006, annually recognizes institutions of higher education for their commitment to and achievement in community service. The President’s Honor Roll increases the public’s awareness of the contributions that colleges and their students make to local communities and the nation as a whole. President Obama has pledged to make service a central cause of his administration and wishes to commemorate the significant role that higher institutions, their students, staff, and faculty play in helping to solve pressing social problems in the nation’s communities. Millersville University received the Distinguished President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll in 2009.  Visit Learn & Service America to discover more information on this achievement!

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 oforganization, 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.

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.  We have ongoing programs for you to consider including the After School Corps, Angel Tree, First Book, GreenVille, Into the Streets, and more.

MU's Federal Work-Study Volunteer Program is a way for eligible students to earn money working in a volunteer position with a nonprofit community organization.

We are always excited to connect with new organizations to discover opportunities for our students to gain enriching experiences in the community. Click here if your organization is interested in securing volunteers, interns, or work-study positions.