We realize students lead busy lives so we've developed a spectrum of opportunities that range in time commitment, funding, credit or non-credit, and from volunteerism all the way to public work projects. We have opportunities for you to work in the community for one day, one week, one quarter, one year, or your entire academic career. Read each program description to find out if you can receive course credit, stipends or scholarship for your work in the community. Each of our student programs is based on a community organizing model and uses the community organizing handbook* throughout the process.
Public Work
Puksta Scholars (four years): Incoming first years can apply upon acceptance to the University of Denver. Scholars receive $6,000 annual scholarship and over four years develop public skills and complete a major public work project with a community partner.
Service Learning and Community-based Learning
Public Achievement (one year): Use your financial aid work study award to work with this youth engagement initiative that seeks to draw on the talents and desires of young people to build a better community, engage them to be problem-solvers in their schools, and connect to the classroom. Other school-based civic engagement opportunities.
Service-Learning Associates (one year): Use your financial aid work study award to learn how to develop service-learning courses, assist faculty with course development and lead student reflections on service experiences.
Morgridge Community Summer Internships (one summer): Earn $2,184 and spend your summer interning at a Denver non-profit.
Immersion Programs (one day, one week): One day issue-based, or one week Denver-based, intense immersions into a justice issue areas, not for credit.
"Spectator to Citizen" Course Sequence (one quarter, one year): Earn academic credit while developing public skills based on the community organizing model in these three two-credit courses offered annually. Other Service Learning courses
Volunteerism
CCESL Volunteer Partnership (one day, one quarter, one year): Start your community engagement by volunteering. Participate in one of CCESL's Immersion Days and learn about an issue that affects our community, find a long-term volunteer placement that matches your interests and schedule, or join DU Volunteers a student organization that responds to immediate Denver community needs.
AmeriCorps UCAN Serve (one or two years): Earn $1,000-$2,363 in education awards for completing 300, 450, 675 or 900 hours of service during the academic year.
Community Work Study (one year): Earn your financial aid work study dollars by serving in the community at a non-profit or with a city initiative.
Post-Graduate Opportunities
If you are intersted in post-graduate service opportunities please read our Next Step: Serve information sheet and then contact the Career Center for advising at 303.871.2150 or career@du.edu.
*The community organizing handbook is provided as an online resource. If you would like to print or distribute this handbook, please contact us at 303.871.3706 or ccesl@du.edu.
