Based on their interests and schedules, students may coordinate their own service efforts by accessing our list of local community agencies and opportunities. Whether they are passionate about serving with seniors or children, addressing issues of food and housing insecurity, preserving the environment, helping animals…you name it…there’s a way for everyone to make a difference. To learn more about these and other opportunities, stop by the Office of Service and Community Engagement on the main level of Miller Chapel.
Service & Community Engagement
Fostering Belonging Through Service and Community Engagement
Here at LVC, we cultivate diverse experiential education programs where students actively engage in addressing community needs. These programs include structured reflection aimed at deepening understanding of the historical, sociological, cultural, economic, and political contexts underlying social issues.
Students are given a range of possibilities by which they can be civically engaged in our communities and create social change. Our philosophy emphasizes the importance of employing multiple engagement strategies along various pathways for fostering positive social change. Lebanon Valley College utilizes the Pathways to Community Impact & Active Citizens* framework to provide a range of possibilities for our students to work within. Whether aligning with your passions or expertise, you can engage in multiple paths of interest. How will you contribute to creating a just, fair, and inclusive society?
*Adapted from Pathways of Public Service, in partnership with the Haas Center for Public Service, Stanford University.
Alternative Breaks
The Department for Service & Community Engagement offers at least two Alternative Breaks every academic year, providing students with the opportunity to fulfill their Immersive Experience requirement. The program incorporates civic engagement, community involvement, and unique service projects. These experiences vary annually, offering students opportunities for service learning in local, domestic, and international settings.
Individual Service Initiatives
Living and Learning in Service
This one-credit class encourages students to explore the ‘why’ behind service and analyze root causes of social issues. By participating in a once-weekly class meeting, engaging with local community partners, and participating in local community service, students earn not only one credit but also fulfill one Immersive Experience requirement.
