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Community Engagement for Students

Students volunteering at the garden and Mountain Heritage Day.

 

Find Your Spark. Make A Difference. 

Expand your experience while making an impact on your community! CCESL can help you connect with local organizations and find volunteering opportunities. Check our Engage page or pursue your own independent service project by exploring the list of community agencies who we partner with.

All service opportunities are posted on the CCESL Engage page AND highlights are sent out in the "Monthly Outreach Highlights" newsletter. Visit the CCESL Engage page and subscribe to the Monthly Outreach Highlights Newsletter to stay connected.

Semester Initiatives

Each semester, CCESL hosts an initiave that centers around one of our 15 Impact Focus Areas. The Spring 2024 Initiative is "Paws for the Planet: Whee Go Green!".

Paws for the Planet: Whee Go Green CCESL Logo

 

This initiative is based on Environmental Advocacy & Sustainability and includes both educational and service events to participate in. Sign up on Engage!

Upcoming Events

  • Mossville: When Great Trees Fall - Environmental Racism Movie Screening and Panel Discussion - Tuesday, February 27th 5:30pm - 7:00 pm in the UC Theater
  • World Recycling Day of Service - Monday, March 18th 11:00am - 2:00pm at the Catafount

Spark Community Engagement Award Program

Spark Award Logo

 

Join the Spark Community Engagement Award Program and get recognition for your contibutions to the

community! Complete direct service hours and participate in civic engagement to complete this award pathway.

Students that complete the award program receive cords to wear at graduation, a certificate presented to them at the CCESL Impact Awards ceremony, and valuable experience to discuss with future employers. Learn More.

Rotaract Service Club

Are you passionate about community service or want more community service, leadership and networking opportunities? Consider joining Rotaract Club at WCU! Fill out the Interest Form

Service-Learning Courses

Service-learning courses (SLC) are courses with organized community-based learning activities with a commnity partner to address and identified community need. These courses are listed with "SLC" in their title on the Schedule of Classes on myWCU. Register for an SLC course to get hands-on experience of course content!

Civic Engagement

CCESL provides civic education and resources to the WCU student body. We offer presentations and educational events year-round! We are here to assist you with all of your voting and civic engagement needs. If you have any questions about registration and voting, or want more information about how to get involved in civic engagement on campus, feel free to stop by Belk 273. Learn More

WCU staff and students voting, registering to vote, and in front of the Jackson County Board of Elections.

 

Resources for Students

HOMEBASE and the Biltmore Park Food Pantry both provide students with essential pantry staples for free. HOMEBASE is located on the WCU Cullowhee campus and serves all WCU students with their food pantry, full kitchen, emergency housing services, and many more. The Biltmore Park Food Pantry is located at the WCU Biltmore Park site. If you are ever in need of a quick snack between classes, or need some ingredients for dinner, be sure to stop by these locations and take advantage of their resources available to you!

SAFE @ WCU is a resource and support hub for any students experiencing a crisis, such as interpersonal violence or sexual assault. If you, or any other student you know, is in need of resources related to their safety, be sure to use this website.

The WCU Health and Wellness website is a resource hub that includes information about emotional, environmental, physical, spiritual, and social wellbeing. This website can assist you in getting connected with the Campus Recreation Center, the Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), and Health Services. 

Basics of Community Engagement Video

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