Each year, thousands of students at the University engage with our local community through service-learning courses, volunteering or by participating in community-based research. By doing so, students help meet the needs of our community and gain valuable experiences that will not only help them throughout their university career, but their entire life.

How community service can help you achieve academic/career goals

There are many benefits for students who participate in community service, including:

• Enhancing their academic knowledge with real-world applications
• Improving professional skills, such as problem-solving, communication, critical thinking, reflection and teamwork
• Gaining exposure to cultures different from your own
• Reflecting critically on personal values and beliefs
• Improving understanding of both assets and needs in communities
• Applying course content to real-world setting
• Meeting others who enjoy serving the community to build personal networks 
• Gaining hands-on experience in a community setting

Social benefits of community service

Each year, the university provides over 80,000 hours of service to over 200 community partners through volunteering, service-learning, and community-based research opportunities. This provides a value resource for our community partners to be able to meet their goals. Student support not only helps them gain valuable experience but helps our local schools and non-profits meet their goals.

How to find the right community service opportunity

#1. Service-learning courses

Service-learning courses are designed for students to fully engage in service activities that build and sustain meaningful community partnerships, connect course objectives to fulfilling a need within their community, and discover the real-world applications of their coursework. Students can enroll in service-learning course within their degree programs by searching for service-learning courses in MyNevada.

#2. Bonner Leader Program

As the University of Nevada, Reno branch of The Corella & Bertram F. Bonner Foundation, the Bonner Leaders Program gives select students the opportunity to participate in service-learning on our campus and in our greater community. In partnership with community-based organizations, these students work to better the lives of individuals from disenfranchised communities. At the same time, they receive a service-oriented education that focuses on the issues facing minority populations and the roles of diversity and equity in spaces of service.

#3. Volunteering

Volunteering opportunities are provided through The Center for Student Engagement. The Center seeks to eliminate barriers to student civic engagement by offering community partnerships, resources, and guidance to support and encourage student civic engagement efforts in several ways. Whether you're an individual student looking for ways to get involved, or a student organization looking to advance your mission, the Center for Student Engagement can assist. 

Students can find and sign up for a wide variety of volunteer opportunities with our many partner organizations on campus and in the community on UNR GivePulse. By signing up for an event it lets the organizer know you're coming, and you'll get a reminder. Finally, after you volunteer, you get to log your hours and a reflection that stays on your volunteer profile. Collect lots of experiences and you can share your community involvement with others.

#4. Community-based research

Community-based research is an opportunity for students to serve as research consultants with a local organization seeking to improve the life and work of Northern Nevada residents. The Undergraduate Research office offers a program that provides undergraduate students an opportunity to do community-based research. Students will work with a local agency and a faculty mentor on an active research project that addresses a community identified need.

No matter how you wish to serve the community, the University has multiple way to support you. From one-off volunteering to semester-long courses, there are always opportunities available. The Office of Service-Learning and Civic Engagement and the Center for Student Engagement are available to work with students, faculty and community members to help create mutually beneficial opportunities between the University and our community.