Community Engagement Programs by Campus

Community engagement is coordinated in a variety of ways on each Consortium campus.  The general information below is provided to help area organizations find the best matches for their needs among our member institutions.  Please consult our list of campus contact persons to locate someone who can provide further information.  To learn about specific placements of students in the community, search our online database.  

Anna Maria College

Volunteering

  • Coordinated through our Director of Service Learning and the Office of Campus Ministry, with assistance from the Director of Career services, Residence Life, and the Student Activities Office, depending on valuable collaboration with faculty and the Student Government Association
  • Designed to fulfill the mission of the Sisters of Saint Anne and to enhance student learning outcomes
  • Over 300 students each semester are engaged in volunteer efforts in the greater Worcester Community that provide service to organizations including the United Way, the Mustard Seed, St. John's food pantry, the Marie Anne Center, and similar programs.
  • All student athletes are required to fulfill a 4-8 hour community service project annually.
  • In addition, 10 students work as tutors through the AVID program in Worcester Public Schools.
  • There are food and clothing drives seasonally, a "Christmas Giving Tree" that supports five area organizations to provide gifts to the needy during the Holidays, and regular response to local and national tragedies, such as the Belmont School vandalism and the earthquake in Haiti.

Service Learning

  • Coordinated by the Director of Service Learning and faculty in our social work and business programs
  • Traditional service learning programs that integrate service projects with course work and that are tied to student learning outcomes
  • Faculty leaders in service learning represent the College on the Community Engagement Committee.

Internships/Clinical/Field Placement

  • Students at AMC participate in a variety of internships and field placements that allow them to gain a working knowledge of their field of study and hands-on experience in real-world situations.
  • Faculty in the social work and nursing programs place students in clinical settings and field placements with area health care and social service organizations.
  • The Career Services department also help students find meaningful internships off-campus that will enhance their learning experiences.

Work Study

  • The work study program is managed through the Financial Aid Office and provides students who qualify for this federal program with job opportunities on campus in a variety of settings including athletics, tour guides, food services and clerical. Off campus community service positions are managed by the Director of Service Learning.

Pre-professional Experience

  • Students in the education licensure programs perform a 40-hour, pre-practicum field experience in conjunction with a teaching methods course. Nursing students also engage in pre-licensure clinical training.

Alternative

  • Through the HABACATS club, students participate in Habitat for Humanity projects in areas of need throughout the U.S.
  • Coordinated through our Campus Ministry and Student Activities Office, students also participate in spring and/or winter break outreach projects.

Key Points

  • In keeping with the mission of the College's founders, the Sisters of Saint Anne, AMC encourages students to participate in a variety of outreach and service projects to complement their educational experience as well as help them grow and understand the importance of working toward the Common Good.
  • Due to a coordinated effort on campus, students are able to participate in a variety of experiences that will help them grow in body, mind and spirit.

Assumption College

Volunteering

  • Reach-out Center (ROC)
  • Designed to compliment student learning and serves as a co-curricular activity
  • Includes leadership training for 20 student leaders organizing programs
  • Over 250 students each semester are involved in a variety of community organizations; volunteer commitments range from 3 hours each week for the semester to one half-day project once a semester.

Service Learning

  • Traditional service learning program - academic courses are designated as service-learning; a service project is a component of the course and tied to the course's learning outcomes
  • Most service-learning students complete 10-15 hours of service during the semester
  • Led by a director/professor and placement coordinator

Internship/Clinical/Practicum/Field Placement

  • Students from multiple disciplines (e.g. Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences) devote a significant number of hours gaining skills, working on projects, and conducting research.

Work Study

  • The Office of Financial Aid coordinates a number of work-study placements at local agencies that need students to assist in classroom settings, with clerical tasks, or general staff assistanc.

Alternative

  • Campus Ministry coordinates "SEND", an alternative spring/summer break program.
  • Consists of two winter, seven spring, and one post-grad trip to various locations in the US and Mexico.

Key points:

  • All of these areas/departments actively collaborate to provide the students and agencies with valuable experiences and opportunities; students are often referred from one program to another.
  • Service is integral to the mission of Assumption College and plays a key role in the formation of graduates and citizens.

Clark University

Volunteering

  • The Community Engagement & Volunteering (CEV) Center coordinates volunteer opportunities for students.
  • Opportunities are listed in Clark Recruiter online database and have drop-in hours from 2-4pm Monday-Friday.
  • The CEV Center has five work-study students who coordinate volunteer opportunities for our partner organizations. Students divide their time - 2 office hours/6-8 hours on-site per week.
  • Over 20 student clubs focus on community service or activism each year.

Service Learning

  • Service learning is coordinated by the Community Engagement & Volunteer (CEV) Center.
  • Over 20 SL courses are offered each year in a variety of disciplines including Management, Foreign Languages, and Community Development & Planning.
  • The CEV Center hosts monthly meetings of the Community Engagement Faculty Study Group. The group has a different topic/reading each month ranging from a practical piece on how to incorporate reflection to Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed.

Internship/Clinical/Practicum/Field Placement

  • Sophomores, juniors and seniors may earn credit for internships.
  • Internships require a faculty sponsor and academic component.
  • Students must complete a minimum of 140 hours on-site.
  • Proposals are reviewed by assistant director/internship coordinator in Career Services.
  • Several majors require a credited internship.
  • Students and site supervisors are required to complete mid-term and final evaluations.
  • Students may be paid if they are earning credit.
  • Barth Internship stipends are awarded to students completing an unpaid, summer internship in a nonprofit organization.

Work Study

  • Clark has community service work-study positions at a few of its partner organizations.
  • These are coordinated through the Vice-President for Government and Community Affairs office.

Research

  • Research projects are coordinated by individual faculty members, students or departments.
  • Community-based research spans the curriculum from psychology to geography.

Alternative

  • Clark offers Making A Difference Scholarships ($15,000 per year) to incoming first-year students who have a strong background in community service and leadership.
  • Usually 5-10 Making A Difference Scholars work in Worcester each summer for 6-8 weeks completing full-time summer projects under the guidance of the CEV Coordinator.
  • There is an increasing number of Study Abroad programs that offer service learning.

Key points:

  • Clark is a small campus; all offices work together to support community engagement.
  • Many of Clark's graduate programs have service learning or community practicum components. Those are coordinated by individual faculty or students.
  • Community partners with a specific need should contact the CEV Center which can help direct questions to the most appropriate contact at Clark.

College of the Holy Cross

Volunteering

  • The Community Engagement Committee serves as coordinating body for campus community engagement initiatives.
  • The Chaplains' Office oversees Student Programs for Urban Development (SPUD), a student-led volunteer program with over 40 programs in the Worcester community.
  • The Donelan Office of Community-Based Learning (CBL) within Academic Affairs works with faculty to design CBL courses, research projects and other service-learning initiatives.
  • Student Affairs coordinates student clubs and organizations that participate in community service, such as one-time fundraising projects and drives.
  • The Athletics Department coordinates community service projects for all teams.
  • The College supports Community Work Study placements through the Federal Work Study program.

Service Learning

  • The College sponsors the following academic, community-based learning programs: 12-15 community-based learning courses per semester; academic and summer internships; special projects through the Center for Interdisciplinary and Special Studies; and an international service-learning program in Nairobi, Kenya.

Alternative

  • Approximately 10% of the student body participate in the Alternative Spring Break Program (Chaplains' Office)

Key points:

  • Students at Holy Cross have multiple pathways for curricular and co-curricular opportunities for community engagement.

MCPHS University

Volunteering

  • Individuals as well as groups are encouraged to participate in community service activities. All student organizations are required to do some community service to receive annual funding.

Service Learning

  • First-year pharmacy students are required to complete a service-learning course held in the fall. The course includes a 20-hours/week service requirement; with service, care and responsibility as the core learning objectives.

Alternative

  • Nursing students without borders (NSWB) travel abroad to learn about health care delivery in other countries. They provide ongoing health promotion activities and set up free clinic screenings.
  • The office of service-learning and community outreach coordinates a domestic alternative spring break.

Pre-Professional Experience

  • All students are required to engage in clinical rotations and are placed in a variety of settings both in and outside of central Mass. Students learn to make decisions based on their professional knowledge and judgment. Students apply classroom learning, develop skills in a practice setting, and network with established clinical practitioners.

Nichols College

Volunteering

  • Community service is handled by a variety of offices.
  • Volunteering is strong in athletics. All teams are required to do community service. Organized by athletic director - each coach does his/her own organizing.
  • The Student Activities Office coordinates volunteering for clubs and other organizations which have to do community service each semester to receive funding.
  • The Fischer Institute and Cultural Enrichment Program offer opportunities in the community.
  • The College generally works with the Dudley/Webster Boys and Girls Club.

Quinsigamond Community College

Volunteeing

  • A variety of activities occur each year with community organizations, such as those providing food for the needy and assisting high schools and business organizations with graphic design.
  • The PTK group conducts six Birthday Wishes parties a year for children in homeless families who would otherwise not have a birthday party.
  • The campus maintains a room called "Second Editions," where students, faculty and staff contribute and offer free clothing for those in need.
  • A partial list of organizations the College assisted through volunteerism includes: Jeremiah's Inn, Boys and Girls Club, YWCA, Seven Hills Foundation, Catholic Charities, Willis Center, Autism Resources Center, Veteran's Center, Abby's House, Friendly House, Sherry's House, and Birthday Wishes.

Service Learning

  • The Career Placement Service Office is dedicated to expanding the service learning program at QCC. Staff can assist faculty as they incorporate service learning programs into their curricula by providing agency contacts, a student placement tracking database, and other related resources.
  • A partial list of organizations the College assisted through service-learning includes: Great Brook Valley Health Center; Faith House; Jewish Nursing Home; Girls Inc.; Worcester, Holden, Auburn, West Boylston and Shrewsbury senior centers; Genesis Club; Tatnick, Holy Trinity and Dodge Park nursing homes; Fairlawn Rehab; and UMass Memorial, Saint Vincent and Harrington hospitals

Alternative

  • Study abroad/visit program
  • Alumni fundraisers

University of Massachusetts Medical School

Volunteering

  • UMass Graduate School for Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) has a GSBS Cares student committee that organizes annual slate of service events: food, blood and clothing drives; Habitat for Humanity, judging middle school science fairs, fundraising walks for cancer and cystic fibrosis research.
  • There are campus and community programs for health - see Web site for more information.
  • Many students individually volunteer time at free clinics and refugee assistance programs

Service Learning

  • Medical School students are required to complete a 10-day intensive community-health clerkship in their second year with service component.
  • Graduate School of Nursing students do 10-day community health clerkship plus 45 additional hours community service.

Internship/Clinical/Practicum/Field Placement

  • Third and fourth year medical students spend majority of their time in clinical rotations.

Work Study

Limited availability

Research

  • Students can choose senior scholars program with research component.
  • Summer research experiences available with limited funding.
  • GSBS students focus primarily on research.

Alternative

  • Vice-chancellor for community relations created a database where students, faculty and staff can input their community volunteering.

Key points:

  • Each UMass school has a student body committee that oversees its own services. They do not yet get together to discuss what each school is doing. Volunteering is much dispersed.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Volunteering

  • Volunteer program is strong - over 23,000 hours of reported service.
  • Fraternities and sororities performed 14,000 hours of service.
  • Coordinated by the Community Service Center
  • Meetings held to discuss what they are doing with clubs and other organizations.
  • Diversity office also coordinates a number of programs in the city.
  • Several student organizations exist on campus with a mission geared toward community service or social issues.

Service Learning

Coordinated by Academic Affairs

Internship/Clinical/Practicum/Field Placement

Student teachers placed at area schools

Work Study

  • 10-hours per week work-study placements at several community agencies in Worcester and surrounding communities
  • All students with work study perform 15 hours of community service.

Research

  • Interactive Qualifying Project (IQP) required for all students in their junior year of study. Students earn 3 classes worth of credit. About 60% of IQP is service learning - students travel around the world on projects that are designed to tackle social problems using technology.

Alternative

  • Leadership development program includes a service-learning project.

Key points:

  • The IQP projects completed by students impact communities in Worcester and around the globe. Service and service-learning are valued across the institution.

Worcester State College

Volunteering

  • Although the campus does not have a central volunteer office, opportunities for service are offered in various academic and student affair departments.
  • Honors Society has volunteer requirement. There is also a Habitat group and the SGA. These groups are coordinated by Student Affairs.
  • Students participate in Americorps Student Leaders in Service Program in which they volunteer 300 hours in exchange for an education award.

Service Learning

  • Over 40 faculty are involved in service-learning or community based research.
  • The Center for Service-Learning and Civic Engagement (CSLCE) provides workshops, mini-grants, and other resources for interested faculty.
  • Service-Learning is implemented in first-year seminar courses.
  • Data collection is based on what faculty provides and first-year seminar annual reports.

Internship/Clinical/Practicum/Field Placement

  • The CSLCE, in collaboration with the Robert F. Kennedy Children Action Corps, offers a one-year internship/scholarship program
  • Internships coordinated by individual departments
  • Nursing, Occupational Therapy, and Education offer the most clinical and practicum placements

Work Study

  • Federal Community Works Study students work through the Finical Aid office to be placed in America Reads, America Counts and Jump Start

Research

  • Community based research is done by individual faculty members usually through a Community Action Research course.

Alternative

  • Annual Alternative Spring Break to Managua, Nicaragua. Students immerse themselves in the history and culture of Nicaragua as well as conducting manual labor while abroad.

Key points:

  • Primary focus of community engagement is through service-learning and faculty involvement.