Resources: Service and Leadership

Campus Y

The Campus Y is an extraordinarily vibrant, student-driven organization, promoting social justice and social innovation locally, nationally, and internationally. Over more than a century and a half of service, it has incubated such essential campus institutions as Student Stores, Career Services, Intramural Athletics, and New Student Orientation. It has also provided the incubation space and resources for launching fully independent nonprofit organizations such as Nourish International, the Student Environmental Action Coalition, and the Student Coalition for Action in Literacy Education. Over the course of a typical year, approximately 2,000 UNC–Chapel Hill students channel their idealism, passion, and sweat equity into a diverse array of service and advocacy initiatives, including but not limited to public health, youth development, education, human rights, micro-finance, food security, and environmental advocacy. The Campus Y is led by the student executive board and the chairs of more than 30 committees and is supported by a professional staff of six employees. Students are encouraged to visit the Campus Y offices in the YMCA Building, adjacent to South Building, to learn about these opportunities and campus, community, youth, and global social justice issues.

Carolina Center for Public Service

Overview

The Carolina Center for Public Service (CCPS) engages and supports the faculty, students and staff of UNC–Chapel Hill in meeting the needs of North Carolina and beyond. The center strengthens the University’s public service commitment by promoting scholarship and service that are responsive to the concerns of the state and contribute to the common good.  

How to Get Involved

APPLES Service-Learning is a student-led program that transforms educational experiences by connecting academic learning and public service. As part of APPLES students can:

  • sign up for the Service-Learning Initiative (SLI) to learn more about local organizations and how to get involved in service. SLI: Launch is available for incoming first-year students in the fall and SLI: Engage is an opportunity for any other Carolina student to get involved in the spring.
  • register for an APPLES Service-Learning course on Connect Carolina to complete 30 hours of service as part of an academic course. This might also fulfill the Experiential Education requirement.
  • apply for a spring or summer internship to gain valuable professional experience while receiving a stipend and academic course credit
  • explore communities beyond Chapel Hill on an alternative spring break trip or expedition and serve alongside a team of peers
  • implement a project with a social innovation fellowship. Fellows receive funding, mentorship, and academic credit to help ideas come to life.

For any inquiries about APPLES, email apples@unc.edu.

The Buckley Public Service Scholars (BPSS) program provides a framework for Carolina undergraduate students committed to making a positive impact through service. Students can register for the BPSS program at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters by visiting the website. BPSS strengthens the culture of service and engagement at Carolina by:

  • challenging students to increase the breadth and depth of their involvement in North Carolina communities and beyond
  • fostering connections between the University, its students and the community
  • promoting student participation in varying dimensions of public service: direct, organizational, and policy
  • developing students’ capacity for engaging in their communities in meaningful ways

For any inquiries about BPSS, email bpss@unc.edu.

The center offers various competitive opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to further their involvement in public service and community engagement, including:

  • Community Engaged Fellowships for returning graduate and professional students
  • Community Service Scholarships for undergraduate students
  • Projects for Peace for undergraduate students
  • MacDonald Community Fellowships for undergraduate students with a strong connection to a community partner

For any inquires, contact ccps@unc.edu.

To stay informed about the many different public service opportunities at Carolina, subscribe to the center’s biweekly Public Service News listserv.