Get Involved with Service
The Center for Community Engagement curates multiple engagement opportunities throughout the year, ranging from introductory service experiences to immersive internship programs, community-engaged learning courses, and leadership experiences.
Bonner Program
The Bonner Program is a four-year, service-based scholarship program that affords students "access to education and opportunity to serve." The program recruits and supports students who are committed to changing the world through service. The program is cohort-based (15-18 students per class), intensive (~280 hours per school year and, for most Bonners, full-time summer internships), and developmental (integrating experiential learning, leading to a capstone project with a community partner and a culminating reflection presentation).
Incoming first-year students interested in the Bonner Program should apply through the admissions portal. The program does not recruit currently enrolled students but may in the event of an opening. Contact [email protected] with questions.
Community Conversations
These facilitated dialogues bring together Stetson faculty, staff, and students as well as community stakeholders for meaningful, peer-led discussions on a variety of topics. Each session focuses on a different theme, ranging from skill-building workshops on administrative practices to deep dives into specific social issue areas. Designed to foster collaboration, learning, and shared insight, these conversations are led by members of the CCE team or guest facilitators with specialized knowledge, depending on the topic. This flexible, inclusive format creates space for open dialogue, professional development, and relationship-building across campus and community.
Community Conversations are held the last Wednesday of every other month from 10am to 12pm. Each Community Conversation will focus on a different topic ranging from administrative skill workshops to issue area focus group discussions.
Immersive Experiences
Community-Engaged Learning Courses
In community-engaged learning courses, learning objectives and the community-based experience or project are clearly connected; students reflect critically on the experiences and are assessed based on academic competencies; and there is collaboration with community partners that has reciprocal value for students and community. There are a number of regularly offered courses at Stetson that incorporate these components.
Explore Engaged Learning Courses
Engagement Opportunity Database
CCE staff work closely with several community partners in the DeLand/Volusia County area to offer direct service, service leadership, and capacity-building opportunities for students to connect their academic interests and career goals with community-defined needs. Students can contact the site supervisor directly about applying for the opportunities. CCE staff can help students with meeting any requirements for these opportunities.
Service Trips
Alternative Service Breaks
Alternative Service Breaks give students the opportunity to use university breaks for meaningful service and learning. Students travel to, serve with, and learn from communities beyond their own while building relationships and gaining new perspectives.
Service Saturdays
Once a month, 8-12 students work on a service project with a local nonprofit organization. Each service project is student-led and addresses a different social issue. After each service outing, you and your group members will discuss the experience over a meal.
Explore events in HattersConnect (Stetson login required) for student registration. For more information, to lead a service trip, or to co-sponsor a service trip, contact [email protected].
CCE Newsletters
CCE staff regularly publish three new newsletters designed to keep the Stetson community connected and informed. Helping Hatters is our weekly newsletter featuring service opportunities, events, and stories. Community Connections provides community partners with monthly updates on upcoming events and opportunities. The Green and White Gazette releases every other month for faculty and staff, highlighting events, accomplishments and happenings across the Stetson employee community.