Programs

CCE programs offer students the chance to learn outside the classroom, focusing on service and social justice as a way to learn about the world and themselves during their time at UT Austin. CCE envisions a world in which all students become lifelong active citizens, participating in their communities however they can toward the goal of positive social change. No matter their career, they will be equipped and motivated to meet the core purpose of The University of Texas at Austin: “to transform lives for the benefit of society.”

Community Engagement Collective

The UT Community Engagement Collective (CEC) is a network of students passionate about community engagement and social justice. The CEC’s vision is that all UT students will be active citizens, and the collective is a place where anyone can find a place to get involved.

Alternative Breaks

Alternative Breaks are immersive service experiences that allow participants to engage in complex social and cultural issues outside the Austin area. During these trips, which take place during breaks in the academic calendar, students make a visible impact and engage in new experiences, while educating themselves about specific issue areas and learning tools to make a difference beyond UT Austin.

The Project

UT’s Largest Day of Service – this event brings over 2000 UT students, faculty, and staff together with an Austin neighborhood on the last Saturday in February. Partnering to complete beautification projects identified by neighborhood residents and community organizations, The Project aims to help neighborhoods in need while creating relationships between UT students and the Austin community.

VolunteerUT

VolunteerUT connects members of the UT community with service opportunities in the greater Austin area. We hope to make volunteering easily accessible, whether as a one-time event or an ongoing commitment, through the GivePulse platform, @VolunteerUT Instagram, or signing up to receiving weekly emails.

Days of Service

Each year, LCCE coordinates several local days of action that coincide with nationally recognized days of service. If you’re looking for an opportunity to get involved in a larger event with the Austin community, these days are a great place to start!

9/11 Day of Service
MLK
Cesar Chavez
Be the Change
National Volunteer Week

UT Volunteer Fair

The UT Volunteer Fair brings community-based organizations to campus to connect with interested volunteers from the UT community.

Tower Awards

The Tower Awards are presented annually to honor excellence in volunteerism among the students, faculty, and staff of The University of Texas at Austin. Since 1992, awards have been presented at an on-campus ceremony to honor the dedication of Longhorn community. Today the ceremony recognizes students, faculty, and staff of the university, as well as community agencies and university-community partnership efforts.

UT Service Scholars

The UT Service Scholars Program is a leadership and scholarship-focused program that provides professional development, leadership training, and networking opportunities for students committed to public service. Program participants will complete at least 300 hours of service prior to graduation, in addition to earning nine hours of academic credit, and presenting a capstone project to community partners, UT administrators, and city officials.

Google Community Mentors

The Google Community Mentors Program is committed to raising awareness by promoting the power of the web in neighborhoods via community leaders, driving adoption of online tools, and building an Internet ecosystem that is viable and sustainable in the long-term.

President’s Volunteer Service Award

The President’s Volunteer Service Award is a federal volunteer awards program, encouraging United States citizens or lawfully admitted permanent residents of the United States through presidential recognition to live a life of service. The Center for Community Engagement is an official certifying organization for The President’s Volunteer Service Award. We encourage all volunteers to create an account and begin tracking your service hours.

Student Organization Consultations

Our staff is available for one on one consultation with students, staff, faculty or student organizations to provide guidance in the following areas:

Finding service-learning courses and service opportunities.
Planning and executing service projects for individuals or groups.
Information on best practices and risk management planning.
Self-reflection materials for community service activities.
Tools for understanding how to work effectively with community partners.

Education and Training

Learning is foundational to being an active citizen. CCE offers a variety of workshops and trainings related to community engagement that can provide you with the knowledge and skills to participate more fully in you community. All of our workshops and trainings are available to any student, faculty, or staff member, and can be customized to meet the needs of your group.

Austin City Hall Fellows

Austin City Hall Fellows is a program designed to mobilize UT students in community organizing and asset-mapping as a way of building capacity for the City to do outreach.

Community Learning incon

Community-Based Learning Symposium

The Center for Community Engagement hosts annual Community-Based Learning & Research symposium each spring on the UT Austin campus.

The Bridge Podcast

The Bridge: UT’s Community-Based Learning Podcast, features stories and best practices from UT instructors who connect on-campus learning and research with real-world community projects.

Community Classroom

The Community Classroom

The Community Classroom is a series of courses offered to community members and residents taught by UT faculty, staff and community partners. These classes are designed to marry theory and practice and to offer a specific skill, knowledge, or expertise to support the work of community members engaging with advocacy/activism efforts, or other community-based work.

Community Housing Hub