University of Maryland, College Park
EN-13: Community Service

The University of Maryland Alternative Breaks program engages individuals in short-term service-learning experiences that challenge social, political and economic structures of our global community. Through reflection, education and service, Alternative Breaks develops mutually beneficial community partnerships, critical thinking and leadership skills to create a socially just world. All faculty and staff are eligible to apply to be an Alternative Breaks (AB) Advisor to a group of students and thus participate in a service-learning experience. Benefits of serving as an Alternative Breaks advisor include: Opportunity for personal development through participation in an extended service-learning experience; Opportunity for professional development through advising interactions with a small group of students from a variety of college departments and interest areas across campus; Staff/Faculty Advisors’ trip expenses (including transportation, lodging, and food) are covered (except Advisors on international trips will be responsible for cost ($23) of the university required insurance); Opportunity to share personal expertise or research interests with a group of students in a real-life setting. http://thestamp.umd.edu/leadership_community_service-learning/programs/alternative_breaks

University of Maryland’s Do Good Faculty Fellows program supports faculty members as scholars, teachers, advisors, and educational leaders. The Fellows will explore social innovation broadly and deeply. They will consider how students can engage in social innovation in its various forms (e.g., service-learning, civic engagement, philanthropy) and how they can engage students in their courses to address social problems. Benefits of participating in the Faculty Fellows program includes $2,500 stipend for each Faculty Fellow, with up to an additional $500 for course support and implementation, eligibility for funding in support of DGFF proposal implementation, and more. https://www.publicpolicy.umd.edu/dogood-institute/programs/faculty-fellows

Data for this submission is based on full-time undergraduate students as community service is best tracked for this population. A sampling of community service programs for undergraduate students in 2017 revealed that on average, students participating in community service at the University of Maryland complete approximately 10.03 hours of service a year. The percentage of students participating in community service annually was approximated from survey data from the University's Office of Institutional Research, Planning, and Assessment.

Additional information on community service initiatives and programs of the University:

Leadership & Community Service-Learning (LCSL) is a unit within the Adele H. Stamp Student Union- Center for Campus Life. LCSL engages students in leadership development and service-learning opportunities that foster transformative learning and social change. Service programs through LCSL include America Reads, America Counts, Alternative Breaks, Terps for Change, Partners in Print and more. http://thestamp.umd.edu/leadership_community_service-learning

The Office of Community Engagement facilitates connections between the University of Maryland and its surrounding neighbors. Established in 2012, the office has contributed to the University of Maryland public service mission by creating mutually beneficial education, business, government, and community partnerships. The Office of Community Engagement provides students with many opportunities for community service through initiatives such as Good Neighbor Day, College Park Dream Team and more. https://oce.umd.edu/

Many undergraduate students participate in community service through the University's Living and Learning programs. Particularly through College Park Scholars and the CIVICUS Living and Learning Program. https://civicus.umd.edu/

An interactive map of many service learning and community engagement initiatives from the University of Maryland -College Park Campus is available here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=14GriRXl4qh_r8mltTpEK4nq7kx8&ll=38.992293252996944%2C-76.72781274570315&z=11