About the Office of Service-Learning & Civic Engagement

Beginning in July 2012, the Office of Service-Learning & Civic Engagement (OSLCE) has been a direct initiative under the Office of the Provost at the University of Nevada, Reno. OSLCE functions as the hub for critical community engagement at the University and serves as an academic resource by establishing the curricular standards for community-engaged learning opportunities for University students, faculty, and community partnerships.

OSLCE provides guidance on developing effective and comprehensive relationships among University students, faculty, and community organizations, encouraging critical engagement and learning with and alongside communities. The design, integration, and implementation of community-engaged learning (CEL) or community-engaged scholarship (CES) are rooted in participant education, engagement, capacity building, and understanding.

CEL and CES also emphasize the importance of community action, social change, and justice. Our office aims to develop and implement meaningful community engagement opportunities that are mutually beneficial and reciprocal, addressing the current and future needs of the community, students, and faculty.

The University has been formally designated and recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as a “highly engaged” institution and holds the Elective Classification for Community Engagement. Therefore, the continued development, implementation, and improvement of the office is essential to promoting and meeting the University's goals and metrics set forth in the 2023-2027 Wolf Pack Rising Strategic Plan, the Land-Grant Mission, and the Carnegie Classification.

Please feel free to contact our office at (775) 784-4846 or at oslce@unr.edu with your curricular community engagement questions.

Mission

Our mission is to strengthen and support the University’s commitment to community engagement through meaningful community-based learning and scholarship experiences. We connect and integrate the campus, classroom, and community through experiential methods, mutually beneficial partnerships, high-impact practices, and the development of community-engaged professionals and scholars.

Vision

We strive to be a national leader in community engagement and community-engaged learning and scholarship by providing and promoting:

• Support of the University’s commitment to community engagement through learning and scholarship
• Opportunities for reflexive and reflective growth in learning, scholarship, and professional development that focus on critical community and public engagement
• The importance of collaborative partnerships that exist with and alongside our communities, which are mutually beneficial and reciprocal for everyone involved
• Valuable and critical engagement experiences that address community-identified needs and issues
• Cutting-edge resources and support for students, faculty and staff, and community partners

Land Acknowledgement

OSLCE acknowledges that the University of Nevada, Reno is situated on the traditional homelands of the Numu (Northern Paiute), Wašiw (Washoe), Newe (Western Shoshone), Nuwu (Southern Paiute) peoples. These lands continue to be a gathering place for Indigenous Peoples and we recognize their deep connections to these places. We extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live, learn, and educate on their territory. Please visit the Office of Indigenous Relations website to learn more about how the University honors and supports these communities.