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Office of Service-Learning and Civic Engagement
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Community Information

UNF students, faculty and staff maintain a longstanding and ongoing commitment to active community engagement.

In 2009 the University adopted a Quality Enhancement Plan that focuses on creating more Community-Based Transformational Learning (CBTL) experiences for its students. Through CBTL, students are able to practice and apply their academic skills to solve authentic, real-world problems that address community-articulated needs.

In 2010, and again in 2020, UNF received The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching's Community Engagement Classification distinction. This classification acknowledges UNF's commitment to community engagement as well as its effort to improve teaching and learning strategies through community-based projects.

The Center for Community-Based Learning

The Center for Community-Based Learning was established to assist community organizations, faculty and student affairs professionals in creating and maintaining CBTL opportunities. The staff at the Center worked with UNF faculty and student affairs professionals to develop learning opportunities that fit both the needs of the community and the student.

The Office of Service Learning and Civic Engagement

In 2023, the CCBL became the Office of Service Learning and Civic Engagement and the focus shifted to supporting students and the community engaged in CBTL projects.

Before contacting the OSLCE, please consider what type of opportunity will best meet your organization's needs:

Do you need student volunteers for a one-time event? Would you like a consistent volunteer on a weekly or monthly basis? Are you seeking a team of students for a short-term project? Do you require students with some experience in a particular field or set of skills? Can you provide an opportunity for a class or small group of students who are engaged as part of an academic course? These questions are important to think about when creating meaningful experiences for both the community members and students.

 

Helpful Tips for Working with UNF Students

  • Students have demanding and changing schedules. Many are involved in athletics, co-curricular activities, or work part-time in addition to their studies. For assistance in planning events around the university calendar please visit the following link for the official Academic Calendar
  • Consider how you can assist students to work successfully with your organization. While many students are from the Jacksonville area, some are from other areas of Florida or other states. If the specific opportunity you offer requires special skills, knowledge or requires any preliminary activities, such as a background check, consider offering an orientation or training session.
  • If you hope to work with a particular faculty or staff member, initiate early contact to allow for ample planning time. It is best to request students for larger curricular-based projects a couple of months prior to the start of the semester so that the project can be discussed with the teaching faculty and written into the syllabus.
  • Remember that you are a co-educator in this process. Become involved in the teaching and mentoring of students at your site.