Community Engagement

At Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), community engagement is a core part of our mission. Volunteering offers students the chance to make a difference, gain valuable experience, and build connections—all while giving back to the local community.

 

 

 

Ways to Get Involved

VCU provides a variety of ways for students to engage in service:

• VCU Student Organizations – Many clubs and organizations focus on service projects.
• Service-Learning Courses – Earn academic credit while making a community impact.
• Days of Service-Join us for university-led days of service
• Alternative Breaks – Participate in service trips during academic breaks.

 

“Community engagement is the collaboration between institutions of higher education, such as VCU, and their larger communities for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in the context of partnership and reciprocity. It can involve partnerships and coalitions that help mobilize resources, influence systems, and serve as catalysts for initiating and/or changing policies, programs, and practices to achieve equitable impact."

VCU Definition of Community Engagement

What does Community Engagement look like at VCU?

At an urban institution like VCU, community engagement is a vital aspect of the university's responsibility as an anchor institution in the community. Community engagement is a critical factor in 21st-century innovation, given the inevitable need for a people-centered approach to technology and innovation, the need for diverse teams to drive innovation and address complex challenges, improved patient care, and the importance of lifelong learning and adaptation.

How can I be engaged in the community?