Community service extends learning and deepens commitment for undergraduates

by Karin Dienst
Inspired by Woodrow Wilson's call-to-action, "Princeton in the nation's service," many students make public service a key component of their undergraduate years. Despite demanding academic and social schedules, students active in community service say that what they learn outside of the classroom enriches their overall Princeton experience and helps them build skills useful for upcoming careers.

"Community service is a vehicle for the broader mission of the academy in educating for a vibrant and highly engaged citizenry," said Sasa Olessi Montaño, director of the Pace Center for Community Service, which acts as a central portal for service activities at Princeton.

Campus resources available to students include the Pace Center, the Student Volunteers Council and Community House. Various fellowships and internships support the work of student volunteers, such as the Project 55 Public Interest Internship, the ReachOut '56 Fellowship and the Class of '69 Community Service Fund. Students also can focus on social issues and connect with local organizations through courses offered through the Community-Based Learning Initiative. Further, volunteer days annually provide service opportunities for the entire University community.

Four students -- seniors Anne Healy and Robin Williams and sophomores Katherine Rodbro and Caroline McCarthy -- recently spoke with the Weekly Bulletin about their service activities. Read the full story here.