KU Center for Service Learning

03/23/2026

KU faculty and instructors- have you ever wanted to learn more about how to incorporate service learning into one of your courses? Join with CSL on April 8! We will discuss embedding service learning in coursework in a way that meets community-identified needs and student learning outcomes.

Register for the SL Course Development Workshop by March 30: https://kusurvey.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_efZ6M2zzv4XB4WO

01/20/2026

Exciting news out of KU's Office of Community Impact! KU has received a 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. This designation, previously received by KU in 2010 and 2020, is a result of KU's demonstrated commitment to partnering and collaborating with the broader community.

To support the Carnegie designation process, the Center for Service Learning contributed data and narratives focused on student engagement in service learning courses, volunteerism, and other community-engaged activities.

Learn more about the designation: https://csl.ku.edu/news/article/ku-engagement-with-community-honored-by-carnegie-foundation

The university is among select U.S. colleges and universities receiving the honor for demonstrating a commitment to partnership and collaboration with the larger community.

10/30/2025

Christina Holt’s KU experience was filled with meaningful service and social change activities! Outside of the classroom, Christina served as a Center For Community Outreach volunteer with Jubilee Cafe, Empty Bowls, and CAAS. She also co-founded Into the Streets Week, a CCO event still happening today. Through Alternative Breaks, The University of Kansas, Christina worked with migrant farmworkers and domestic violence survivors in El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Mexico, and worked with AIDS patients in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Christina took several service-learning courses that changed her trajectory, including HDFL (now ABSC) 150: Community Leadership. As a result of her service-based experiences, she changed her major and decided to pursue community health and development as a career. As a double alumna and current staff member, Christina continues to support community-identified needs through the Community Tool Box, a free, online resource for all things community development and taking action toward social change.

Are you an alumnus who participated in service during your time at KU? Complete our alumni survey: https://kusurvey.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0Ba7hVPtTdpfK0m



KU Center for Community Health and Development
Department of Applied Behavioral Science

10/21/2025

We believe there are a variety of ways students can use their own individual interests, strengths, and passions to be of service to their communities.

In 2017, the CSL launched a "Pathways to Service" workshop series to inform students on the breadth of strategies they can take in social change work.

Read the 2017 UDK story: https://www.kansan.com/news/ku-workshop-aims-to-empower-students-to-positively-impact-community/article_61c3de2e-b818-11e7-b652-a32d0c7b5e97.html

Today, we use our Trails Toward Social Change model to continue this work started eight years ago! Learn more about the Trails: https://csl.ku.edu/trails

09/29/2025

Alternative Breaks and the Center for Community Outreach (two student service organizations advised by the CSL) have been serving and storytelling since before our office was created in 2005!

In 2011, these groups came together to host a Story Slam, an event where participants shared stories around a central theme. The Story Slam was moderated by KU legend Mary Klayder and featured eight KU student, staff, and alumni speakers.

Learn more about the event: https://news.ku.edu/news/article/2011/09/26/alternative-breaks-center-community-outreach-host-first-annual-story-slam

What are AB and the CCO up to today? Visit ab.ku.edu and cco.ku.edu to get connected to their work.

08/29/2025

As we celebrate our 20th year as a university office, we're looking back on past articles and stories about the CSL's work over those two decades. Did you know that AmeriCorps members have shaped the CSL story since the very beginning?

Our second cohort of AmeriCorps VISTAs were featured in a 2006 article in the Lawrence Journal-World about the expansion of service learning at KU. Many of their goals, like bringing people together to meet community-identified needs, ring true in the CSL's work today.

Read the 2006 article: https://www2.ljworld.com/news/2006/aug/25/program_ku_helps_integrate_classes_community_servi/

11/20/2024

KU has been recognized as one of the Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting in 2024 by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge!

Read the KU Today article: https://buff.ly/496EnpV

We are proud to promote nonpartisan civic engagement on our campus and will continue our efforts to increase student voter turnout.

11/05/2024

Elections can be stressful.

This year, it is very possible that we will not know the result of elections until a number of days after Election Day. Your wellness is really important during this time!

Check out our Post-Election Processing and Support Resources page for self-care tips , election information, and more: csl.ku.edu/civicengagement/resources/processing

Post-Election Processing + Support Elections can be stressful. This year, it is very possible that we will not know the result of elections until a number of days after Election Day.Regardless of the outcomes of the races on the ballot, we recognize that many students will need some space and suppo...

09/27/2024

The Center for Service Learning at the University of Kansas has recognized KU faculty member Thom Allen with a Service-Learning Instructional Mini-Grant for his course Urban Planning 201: Sustainability and Society, Honors.

Today, the public has a chance to see the coursework in action!

https://buff.ly/4dqLw55



University of Kansas Honors Program
KU School of Public Affairs and Administration

Community invited to see Urban Planning 201 'parklet' project Sept. 27 during Park(ing) Day in downtown Lawrence.

09/17/2024

The CSL is a Community Partner of to help celebrate democracy by getting every eligible American registered and for 2024!

bit.ly/KUVoteSocial

09/13/2024

ICYMI: KU earns ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge Silver Seal for student voter engagement in the 2022 election 📰

https://buff.ly/47lHDNr

A national awards program has recognized the University of Kansas for its nonpartisan democratic engagement efforts that fostered student voter engagement in the 2022 midterm elections.

05/13/2024

This weekend, CSL graduate assistant Doyinsola Ogunremi graduated with her master's degree in Higher Education Administration from KU's School of Education and Human Sciences!

Congratulations, Doyinsola, and thank you for your support of the Center for Service Learning over the last two years!

05/10/2024

The CSL is excited to share our application for two faculty fellow positions! These fellow roles are multi-year opportunities for tenure-track or career/specialty faculty. One faculty fellow positions will be focused on service-learning course development and instruction initiatives, while the other will support civic engagement programming and institutionalization projects.

View CSL Faculty Fellow Position Descriptions: https://buff.ly/4bv5Stq

Priority application deadline is May 31! Email CSL Program Manager Kate at [email protected] with any questions.

05/08/2024

The Center for Service Learning is currently accepting applications for our AmeriCorps VISTA position for the 24-25 year. AmeriCorps VISTA is a national service program, and our member will serve a full-time, yearlong term supporting economic opportunity programs.

If you are a graduating senior or recent college graduate with an interest in service, this might be a great role for you!

View the VISTA position description: https://buff.ly/4bv5Stq and apply by sending an updated resume and cover letter to our program manager Kate at [email protected].

04/26/2024

KU's Student United Way has built some valuable connections this year, including with Student Housing and the United Way of Kaw Valley's Youth Service Coalition! SUW members supported a Hungry for the Holidays Food Drive this fall, which placed bins in campus residence halls to collect food products for Just Food.

04/25/2024

KU Alternative Breaks sent 27 students on weeklong service trip this year! Winter Break students travelled to Detroit, while spring break students travelled to Minneapolis, St. Louis, and rural Colorado.

Learn more about Alternative Breaks at kuab.org.

04/25/2024

Allison Monteleone is a sophomore studying Social Work. This winter, she participated in an Alternative Break to Detroit, Michigan to serve with Focus: Hope. Focus: Hope is a community nonprofit focused on fighting poverty, racism, and injustice through a variety of programs and initiatives.

This Alternative Break has been Allison's favorite service experience during her time at KU so far. She shared, "I was able to see the difference I was making but also to be humbled by the fact that there is so much more work to be done, and how my privilege continues to contribute to these issues."

04/24/2024

The KU Center for Community Outreach has had a huge year. Since the start of the semester, the organization has logged over 6500 hours of KU student volunteer service, with more to come! This week is their annual Into the Streets Week, which includes a ton of service and advocacy-related events throughout this week. Visit https://buff.ly/3UuqFYi for more information about ITSW activities!

04/24/2024

Jaden Huehl is a freshman studying Secondary English Education and Journalism. This winter, she participated in an Alternative Break to Detroit, Michigan to serve with Focus: Hope. Focus: Hope is a community nonprofit focused on fighting poverty, racism, and injustice through a variety of programs and initiatives.

This Alternative Break has been Jaden's favorite service experience during her time at KU so far. She shared, "I learned the importance of advocacy paired with service to make lasting change. I also learned how to value communication, making sure to have an active dialogue with all parties involved with every service project."

04/23/2024

Earlier this spring, five members of our KU community travelled to Nacogdoches, Texas to participate in and present at the IMPACT Conference. We can't wait for IMPACT 2025!

04/23/2024

Ariana Siddique is a sophomore studying Microbiology. This year, she has served in the CSL's Student Community Action Corps on behalf of LEAD UP, a college readiness program within the KU Center for Community Health and Development's ThrYve youth violence prevention program.

Ariana's favorite service-related experience during her time at KU is traveling to Texas this February to present about LEAD UP at the IMPACT Conference. She shared, "I had an opportunity to network and utilize the skills I have learned through my involvement with the CSL."

04/22/2024

Join us tomorrow for our annual Service Showcase and Celebration! The annual Service Showcase and Celebration recognizes a year of service and community-engaged work at KU.

We'll be providing a light breakfast and a space to engage with fellow service-minded students, faculty, staff, and community partners. This event will take place in Forum D of KU's Burge Union.

RSVP: https://buff.ly/3Wd1TwS

04/22/2024

Chrishayla Adams is a senior studying African and African American Studies and Sociology. She served in the CSL's Student Community Action Corps last summer in support of the Voter Network and the Kansas African American Affairs Commission.

Chrishayla's favorite service experience during her time at KU was participating in the advisory team for the Spencer Art Museum's Emmett Till exhibit. She shared, "it gave me the ability to provide insight and perspective on such a touching topic that has had a huge impact on the world still today."

04/22/2024

It is National Volunteer Week, so we'll be spotlighting student service experiences and opportunities all week!

RSVP for our Service Showcase + Celebration on 4/23: https://buff.ly/4aLibll
View 2024 Service Showcase Presentations: https://buff.ly/4aLXmGe

04/16/2024

Join us in one week for our annual Service Showcase and Celebration! The annual Service Showcase and Celebration recognizes a year of service and community-engaged work at KU.

We'll be providing a light breakfast and a space to engage with fellow service-minded students, faculty, staff, and community partners. This event will take place in Forum D of KU's Burge Union.

RSVP: https://bit.ly/24ShowcaseRSVP

03/14/2024

Our team is growing! The CSL has a few positions open and are currently welcoming applications for all of them:

1️⃣ Student Program Coordinator: full-time professional staff position - apply by March 18 - late April start date

2️⃣ AmeriCorps VISTA Member: full-time national service position through Campus Compact and AmeriCorps - apply by May 1 - mid-August start date (more info to come about this role soon!)

3️⃣ Inclusive Service Recruitment Specialist: part-time Student Community Action Corps position - apply by March 25 - late April start date

You can find information for all three positions at linktr.ee/KUServes. Please share with folx you think might be interested!

01/12/2024

If you are looking for service and education activities to participate in on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Monday, January 15) in Lawrence, consider attending Lawrence Public Library's full day of performances, craft activities, and more: https://lawrence.bibliocommons.com/events/653c01ed5c850f480053e222

If you're in the Kansas City area, consider joining the Streetcar KC: A River City Civil Rights Tour: https://www.blackhistorykc.com/so/06OpCS1Ug?languageTag=en

MON | Jan 15 | All Day | Lawrence Public Library Storytime with Barry Washboard Barnes | 10:30–11:15 AM | Auditorium Start the day with a storytime led by special guest Barry Barnes, beloved poet and musician. MLK Day Craft for Kids | 11:15 AM–12:00 PM | Readers’ Theater Hop over to the Reader...

01/09/2024

STUDENTS: As you prepare to start the spring semester at KU, consider incorporating a service learning course, recurring volunteer opportunity, or other civic engagement activity into your schedule.

Looking for inspiration? Take a peek at the service project spotlights on our Instagram () or our 2024 Service Showcase YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqmYQR9wYZ-HHbJmwH28t9Nw8JS8bs2oE

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

11/21/2023

That's our Director! Congrats, Dr. T ☺️

Congratulations to CCHD's Jomella Watson-Thompson of the Department of Applied Behavioral Science and Life Span Institute, the sixth honoree in KU’s new Salute to Faculty Excellence program!

11/20/2023

The Center for Service Learning at KU is hiring a Student Program Coordinator! This full-time position is focused on supporting student engagement initiatives within the CSL, including student organization advising, individual student consultations, and more. The unit’s goal is to provide KU students with personalized support for engagement in service learning opportunities.

Full position description: https://bit.ly/CSLSPC

Application review for this position will begin on November 27!

10/30/2023

The CSL's annual awards recognize faculty, staff, students, and community partners who have demonstrated commitment to service learning, community engagement, and/or civic engagement through their work at/with KU.

Know someone deserving of being recognized (even if it's you)? Nominate them for a CSL Award by Stop Day! Award recipients will be recognized at our annual Summit on Community-Engaged Learning and Scholarship in January.

Learn more about the CSL awards at csl.ku.edu/initiatives/awards/campus.

10/26/2023

Over winter break, the CSL will be offering an online six-week section of UNIV 492: Special Projects in the Community! UNIV 492 counts as a service learning or social awareness course for the Certificate in Service Learning.

If you plan to participate in an Alternative Winter Break through KU Alternative Breaks or intend to volunteer at least 40 hours between semesters, UNIV 492 is a great way to earn course credit for those experiences while deepening your understanding of ethical and effective service!

10/06/2023

Once you’re ready to vote, take it a step further: get your friends and family ready to make their voices heard, become a poll worker, volunteer with Election Protection, and let folks in your network know you’re .

10/05/2023

Before you vote, do some research on the positions, candidates, and initiatives on your ballot!

Learn more about getting : votereducationweek.org/research-your-ballot.

10/04/2023

Voter registration usually tops out during presidential election years, but Jayhawks have been registering at an increasing rate since 2014- no dips in the mid-term years!

Thanks to NSLVE for this helpful data. We're excited to receive our 2022 data sometime this fall!

10/04/2023

Make a plan to vote! Consider how you plan to vote (in-person on election day, absentee/by mail, early in-person) and what you need to do beforehand to prepare (research candidates, locate your polling place, etc.)

10/03/2023

Jayhawks love to vote by mail! In 2020, 42% of KU students who voted in the election voted "not-in-person," or by mail. Will you be voting by mail or in-person this year?

Thanks to the National Survey of Learning, Voting, and Engagement for this helpful data.

10/03/2023

There are lots of things to consider when voting by mail, and the rules/regulations vary by state! Check out some helpful tips and tricks on votereducationweek.org/vote-by-mail.

10/03/2023

In addition to voter registration tabling on Wescoe Beach and in the Kansas Union, there are two opportunities to educate yourself about the voting process today!

Loud Light will be on campus from 11am-1pm collecting pledges to vote and giving away pizza, and we'll be chatting about local elections with campus and community experts from 5:30-6:30pm! We also have a virtual option for this event: bit.ly/LocalElectionsKS

10/03/2023

If you’re voting absentee or by mail, request your mail-in ballot today! Learn more: votereducationweek.org/vote-by-mail