At USU, every student is encouraged to find their passion, apply their education, and make a positive and meaningful contribution to the greater community through service and civic engagement. It’s a win-win: You build your experience and skills, try new things, and create connections—all while making a positive impact within your community.
How to Engage with Your Community
First, register for community engagement opportunities on AggiePulse!
Whether you are looking for one-time service hours for a class or a long-term volunteer experience, USU’s online community engagement platform, AggiePulse, is here for you. Log in with your A-number and password, click on the USU logo, then scroll down to find opportunities. You can also record the hours you give and the impact you had! Your impact record is downloadable, in case you need to submit a record with a scholarship or program application. Search for the GivePulse app in your app store (available for iOS and Android).
Visit the Christensen Office of Service & Sustainability
Located in USU’s Taggart Student Center #316
If you need help navigating AggiePulse, want to talk over a community engagement idea, or learn more about opportunities to get involved, stop by TSC 316A to talk with our Service and Sustainability Leads. These student leaders along with CCE staff can connect you to ideas, organizations, people and resources that you need to make a meaningful impact.
Apply to become a Christensen Community Scholar
Combine your academic coursework with community engagement to receive the Community-Engaged Scholar transcript designation. Applications are due fall semester, and each year only 50 scholars are chosen for the program. Learn more about the program.
Attend a Community Partner Fair
Dozens of local nonprofits and organizations are invited to campus every October and February to tell Aggies about their services, programs and needs for volunteers. Log into AggiePulse to find out when these will be held.
Apply for a Tutoring Position through America Reads
Every year over 100 Aggies are hired through federal work-study to serve in local public schools to give academic support and to mentor the next generation. Working in schools is one amazing way to engage with the wider community. Learn more about these paid positions.
Serve locally to prepare for Peace Corps and International Service
Earn a Peace Corps Prep certificate and get a competitive edge when applying for service. Peace Corps Prep builds core competencies critical to serving with the Peace Corps and working collaboratively as an international volunteer. Learn more.
Learn more.
Take a Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) class
Courses designated as Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) allow you to apply course content to needs that have been identified by the community. The course counts toward the Excellence in Community Engagement certificate and the Community-Engaged Scholar transcript designation. Learn more.
Get out of your car and travel by Aggie Blue Bike (ABB)
Slowing down and traveling by bike gives you insights into your community that you miss when you’re in a car. Stop by the shop located between the Nelson Fieldhouse and the Military Science building to check out a bike, learn how to do maintenance, or attend a workshop or group ride. In addition to bicycle maintenance, students who volunteer with ABB collaborate with local non-profits, including Cache Trails, CRIC, Common Ground, and CAPSA. Learn more.
Spend a season restoring public lands with Utah Conservation Corps (UCC)
UCC AmeriCorps members get critical work done on Utah’s public lands as they learn new skills, meet new people, and grow personally and professionally. If you love the outdoors, this program is for you! Learn more.
Participate in Alternative Breaks
Through USU Alternative Breaks, teams of students travel to locations where societal issues are most pressing and work with communities to support non-profit organizations and community-driven projects. Learn more.