Community Service at DU
At DU, we like to say we're a great private University dedicated to the public good—but our commitment goes way beyond words.
Community service is a big part of our campus experience, and it's also woven into our programs of study. If you're the kind of student who wants to make a difference on a local, national and international scale, DU has a way for you to do it.
DU's Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning is the first place to look for chances to get involved. The center is dedicated to educating and encouraging students, faculty and staff to do public work that improves the lives of people from all walks of life. The center is at the forefront of most of our public service efforts and also coordinates alternative breaks, service learning courses and community workstudy programs.
Jessica Stump, who graduated in 2007, took this photo her senior year while volunteering in Woe,Ghana—a West African village where fishing is the main source of sustenance and income.
If you're looking for other students who value service work as much as you do, consider living in the Social Justice Living and Learning Community. This living arrangement consists of students who live together in one of DU's residence halls. All residents share a common interest in social justice and complete 40 hours of service learning every year. The experience also features special guest speakers and classes each quarter.
At DU, community service doesn't mean just working in Denver or Colorado. You can travel to far-off destinations such as India, Ecuador, Bosnia and Thailand through our International Service Learning courses. Open to all undergraduate and graduate students, the courses provide learning experiences through community service in many different cultures and according to many different societal needs.
There are several other ways to get involved. Our opportunities database gives students many different options to help out, and our public good grants allow faculty to apply for money for a community-defined need.
On the map
Over the past few years, DU has distinguished itself through its commitment to service learning with two large-scale events.
In the spring of 2007, DU welcomed hundreds of homeless people to campus to provide the full array of community services in one place. The University’s participation in Project Homeless Connect 4 helped a large group of Denver’s homeless population. It was the first time the event had been held at a private institution.
In 2006, DU welcomed PeaceJam to campus. The event brought 10 Nobel Peace Prize winners to campus. These international leaders, which included the Dalai Lama and the Archbishop Desmond Tutu, taught classes about conflict resolution and issued a global call to action to the world's youth. DU's facilities were home to the largest gathering of Nobel Peace Laureates in the United States. Ever.
Come to DU and get involved. There are lots of ways to improve our world.