students volunteering  

Volunteer and earn HC credit!

Did you know that volunteering can help you develop stronger skills and confidence?

“Participation in civil society (such as volunteerism) can develop habits that make individuals employable and strengthen the networks that help them find jobs.” –A report from the National Conference on Citizenship

The Honors College provides an opportunity for HC students to earn credit while serving and learning in their community. To earn one honors elective credit, commit to volunteering 2-3 hours per week in a local community agency. Visit the course on Canvas to access the materials provided by Community Engagement & Leadership to guide your experience. At the end of the term submit the guided reflection assignment on Canvas due by 5 pm the Monday of finals week. 

“In order to better understand the effects of civic engagement, everyone should take an opportunity to volunteer on a project where they can personally connect with the people in their community whom they are trying to serve.” –Musa Moussaoui, volunteer at Mary’s River Gleaners, Winter Term 2014

The US Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation says that “tomorrow’s leaders will need to have: strong self-awareness; an ability to collaborate across sectors with deep empathy for the communities they serve; critical thinking skills to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges; and the courage to take action even in the face of stark adversity, including the crushing pressure of the status quo. This ‘growth mindset’ requires rolling up one’s sleeves, swallowing a dose of humility, and getting immersed in reality – and I’m not talking about TV.”

They also show that civic engagement is crucial for economic growth: “A study discussed in Promoting Student Engagement found that volunteers become emotionally connected to the communities they serve and sustain community involvement after volunteering – a strong positive indicator for future economic growth.”

How To Enroll

Fill out the Learning Agreement form (OSU login required) and have it signed by your community site supervisor. Return the signed form to an HC academic advisor, who will enter in an override and email you registration instructions. Return the signed form and register for the credit prior to the end of week 1 of the term of enrollment.

If you need support in finding a community placement opportunity in the Corvallis area visit https://apps.ideal-logic.com/osusli (Links to an external site.); use your OSU login to see opportunities curated by Community Engagement & Leadership (Links to an external site.).

Questions about enrolling in the HC 409 credits and signed Learning Agreement forms can be directed to [email protected].