Community Engagement and Service
The Office of Community Engagement and Service (CE&S) serves as a catalyst for mutually beneficial campus and community partnerships. Community engagement is a reciprocal, continuous learning process that builds sustainable partnerships among campuses and communities to facilitate change. Community engagement includes Service-Learning, volunteerism, social advocacy and engaged scholarship.
Service-Learning
Service-Learning combines scholarship and experience through reflection, to deepen course content and enhance civic responsibility. At Miami, Service-Learning involves making connections between academic work and community service. As a result, you are able to gain real world skills and enhance your learning while contributing to the community. MU offers courses that use Service-Learning as an effective teaching approach.
For more information on all programs and services, contact the office at 513-529-2961 or email slclgroup@miamioh.edu.
Programs and Services
America Reads and America Counts
The America Reads and America Counts programs are funded through federal work-study. Through extensive training, tutors develop effective and efficient ways of working to help children improve their reading and math skills. America Reads tutors work on basic reading and writing skills with students in grades K-6. America Counts tutors focus on mathematic skills with students in grades K-9. The programs primarily serve children in Butler County.
Students interested in the America Reads or America Counts programs should complete an online application and will be interviewed by a student coordinator. Additionally, students must be eligible for federal work-study. Once hired, tutors are required to attend a mandatory four-hour training session prior to tutoring and participate in additional monthly trainings throughout the semester. For more information contact the office at 513-529-2961 or e-mail americareads@miamioh.edu or americacounts@miamioh.edu.
Adopt A School
The Adopt A School Program involves more than 500 Miami students and is an excellent way for students to become better connected to the local communities and become role models for area students. Highly coordinated, the Adopt A School program allows Miami students to volunteer in a way that easily fits their schedule and the needs of area agencies. The majority of placements are based in K-12 schools; however, opportunities with adults and older citizens are also available.
Students interested in the Adopt A School program must complete an application and attend a one-hour training session prior to volunteering. For more information about the Adopt A School Program, contact the office at 513-529-2961 or e-mail adoptaschool@miamioh.edu.
EMPOWER I
EMPOWER I is a nine-week Service-Learning program intended for students at Miami University who are interested in expanding their understanding of social issues and their impact on communities. EMPOWER I is a rewarding, yet intensive, program that combines service, education, and critical personal investigation to foster social awareness, build community, and create a deeper understanding of diversity. Students in the Urban Teaching Cohort and Social Justice Studies Program will specifically explore the connection between economic and educational injustices.
Students meet weekly in the Office of Community Engagement and Service for the seminar portion. Students are expected to serve in their community a minimum of five times during the semester. Students and community partners mutually benefit as service will reinforce what students are learning in the course. Students will also complete an Urban Plunge, where they will stay overnight in an inner city to experience the region, and visit and serve with agencies that address social justice issues covered in the course. For more information, please contact the Office of Community Engagement and Service at 513-529-2961.
EMPOWER II
EMPOWER II is for students who have completed the EMPOWER I program and want to gain a deeper and more focused understanding of the education system in urban schools. EMPOWER II also provides students with the opportunity to serve their community through a minimum of five service experiences during the semester through similar mutually beneficial partnerships between students and the community.
EMPOWER II students meet weekly in the Office of Community Engagement and Service, as well as McGuffey Hall. Students in EMPOWER II will also complete an Urban Plunge, where the focus is on local elementary schools and the social justice issues those schools face on a daily basis. For more information, please contact the Office of Community Engagement and Service at 513-529-2961.
MU Volunteers ListServ
For students interested in community service or looking for a way to get involved, the MU Volunteers ListServ provides a weekly update on service opportunities ranging from one-time needs to ongoing service experiences. To learn more, visit our website at www.miamioh.edu/servicelearning.
Noble Hour & the President's Volunteer Service Award
For students looking to take part in community service, The Office of Community Engagement and Service utilizes Noble Hour (https://www.noblehour.com/education/459752982/) to match students to service opportunities. Students who register under the OCES Community can track and enter service hours through Noble Hour and may qualify to receive the President’s Volunteer Service Award at graduation. This honor is awarded based on different levels of service hours completed over a student’s time at Miami.
