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Bennion Center

For Community Engagement

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Students at the U

How to Get Started!

Community Partner Programs 

  • Weekly volunteering with over 45 local community organizations
    • Semester-Based Commitments
      • All programs are organized into 6 Issue Areas:
        • Advocacy, Arts and Recreation, Education, Health and Wellness, Mentorship, Sustainability and Food Justice
      • Submit your Volunteer Interest Form today

Saturday Service Projects  

  • Join hundreds of your peers in support of community
    • One-Time Commitments
      • Legacy of Lowell - Sept. 16th, 2023
      • TBD - November 11th, 2023
      • MLK Day of Service - January 13th, 2024
      • Environment & Sustainability - April 20th, 2024

Service Corner 

  • Do-it-yourself project kits
    • One-Time Commitments
      • Knit hats or scarfs, decorate journals, or write birthday cards
      • Union 101 (available year-round) & Kahlert Village kiosk (closed for the summer)
  • Weekly Group Projects
    • One-Time Commitments
      • Complete themed projects at these 2 hour events offered weekly during fall/spring
      • Registration is required to attend. Usually held inside Kahlert Village.

Student Leader Positions  

  • Lead by example, gain leadership experience
    • Academic-Year Commitments
      • Application dates
        • 2023-2024 Student Leader positions are still available!
        • 2024-2025 positions will open around February 2024

Community Bulletin Board 

  • Additional volunteer opportunities outside the Bennion Center
    • Various Commitments
      • One-time events, Ongoing, and Internships/jobs

 

Alternative Breaks  

  • Justice-based work over school breaks and weekends
    • Week-Long Plus Commitments
      • Fall and Spring break opportunities
        • Applications for spring '24 will be open from Nov. 6th-Jan. 16th

Learning Abroad

  • Half semester courses & 7-days of travel
    • Monteverde, Costa Rica (spring break)
      • Apply by Nov. 1st
    • Havana, Cuba (fall break & summer) 
      • Apply by June 1st (fall) or February 15th (summer)

 

Utah Reads 

  • Tutor local elementary students (work-study position)
    • Academic-Year Commitment
      • Must be eligible for Federal Work Study to apply

 

Service House 

  • Live on-campus with 12 community-minded residents
    • Academic-Year Commitment
      • Located in the historic Officers Circle, all majors are welcome]
        • Applications close around mid-January for the following academic-year

Gail Miller Community Engagement Tower at Kahlert Village 

  • On-campus residence for first-year students only
    • Academic-Year Commitment
      • Applications close around early April for the following academic-year
      • Resident Advisor positions are available
    • H.I.V.E. LLC
      • Join our brand new High Impact Volunteer Engagement Living Learning Community inside the Gail Miller Community Engagement Tower at Kahlert Village

 

Bennion Scholars  

  • Complete a capstone project, earn an academic honor
    • Multi-Year Commitment
      • Priority Application dates:
        • April 1st for Fall semester
        • November 15th for Spring semester

Community Engagement Certificate  

  • Commit to leadership for social change
    • Multi-Year Commitment
      • 21 credits and a capstone project
      • Pursuit of this academic credential can begin anytime

Community Engaged Learning (CEL) Designated Courses  

  • Experiential learning outside the classroom. Over 200 (CEL) designated courses offered at the U.
    • Semester-Based Commitment
      • BENN 1020: Pathways to Community Engagement
      • BENN 2030: Intro to Civic Leadership

 

Alternative Breaks   

Bennion Scholars  

Community Engaged Learning (CEL) Designated Courses  

Community Bulletin Board 

Community Conversations   

Community Engagement Certificate   

Community Partner Programs   

Gail Miller Community Engagement Tower @ Kahlert Village   

Saturday Service Projects 

Service Corner   

Service Corner Hours   

Service House   

Student Leaders   

Utah Reads     

 

Volunteer Interest Form

Click the link below to view all active Bennion Center opportunities

You can select up to 3 options and we'll contact you!

 VOLUNTEER INTEREST FORM

Upcoming Ways to Engage

Become a Bennion Center student leader for 2023-2024!

CLICK HERE TO Apply

Join teams of U of U students in support of 45+ local non-profits 

CLICK HERE TO get started

Flexible, one-time volunteer commitments to get started

CLICK HERE TO Learn More

 

Bennion Center Calendar

Pro Tip: Click on "Subscribe" for weekly calendar emails.

 CLICK HERECALENDAR

THIS WEEK

 

Additional Links

Follow our Instagram

CLICK HERE

Subscribe to Emails

CLICK HERE

Student Leaders

CLICK HERE

 

Office Locations

 

Learn more about the Bennion Center!

 VISIT OUR ABOUT US PAGE  

Still have a question?

SEND US AN EMAIL

 

 

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Meet Minerva! After moving from Southern California to Salt Lake City, Minerv...
1
Meet Minerva! After moving from Southern California to Salt Lake City, Minerva decided to get involved with community engagement to find a way to make new connections. Within a CEL (community engaged learning) course, Minerva was able to take class lessons and apply them to real life scenarios. “The community engagement course has also allowed me to develop skills that I cannot solely learn through a book such as being able to approach strangers and engage in meaningful conversations,” Minerva said. In a City and Metropolitan Planning class, Minerva learned that despite the pandemic, people were eager to talk about parks and how important they are to them. Minerva was able to realize that with the pandemic, parks have become a sanctuary place for many during the pandemic - they are one of the few places where people still felt they could gather safely, entertain their children, exercise, and find peace. 
Minerva said, “Taking a certified Community Engagement Learning Course (CEL) would be beneficial to individuals who want to understand the challenges in their community, identify ways to get involved, and refine their professional and personal interests.” If you want to learn more about Minerva’s experience with CEL courses, check out her blog at the link in our bio!
Meet Minerva! After moving from Southern California to Salt Lake City, Minerva decided to get involved with community engagement to find a way to make new connections. Within a CEL (community engaged learning) course, Minerva was able to take class lessons and apply them to real life scenarios. “The community engagement course has also allowed me to develop skills that I cannot solely learn through a book such as being able to approach strangers and engage in meaningful conversations,” Minerva said. In a City and Metropolitan Planning class, Minerva learned that despite the pandemic, people were eager to talk about parks and how important they are to them. Minerva was able to realize that with the pandemic, parks have become a sanctuary place for many during the pandemic - they are one of the few places where people still felt they could gather safely, entertain their children, exercise, and find peace. 
Minerva said, “Taking a certified Community Engagement Learning Course (CEL) would be beneficial to individuals who want to understand the challenges in their community, identify ways to get involved, and refine their professional and personal interests.” If you want to learn more about Minerva’s experience with CEL courses, check out her blog at the link in our bio!
 
The Bennion Center’s executive director Dean McGovern explains the value of c...
The Bennion Center’s executive director Dean McGovern explains the value of community engaged learning! Be sure to check our CEL courses for your Spring 2021 semester! Two courses to check out are BENN 2030 - Intro to Civic Leadership, and be sure to also check out BENN 2020 - Pathways to Community Engagement, a new course offered by the Bennion Center! We hope to see you in the classroom next semester!
The Bennion Center’s executive director Dean McGovern explains the value of community engaged learning! Be sure to check our CEL courses for your Spring 2021 semester! Two courses to check out are BENN 2030 - Intro to Civic Leadership, and be sure to also check out BENN 2020 - Pathways to Community Engagement, a new course offered by the Bennion Center! We hope to see you in the classroom next semester!
 
As we all confront the pandemic, it’s important to realize we must work toget...
As we all confront the pandemic, it’s important to realize we must work together to create viable solutions. Check out the Bennion Scholars application (which now has an extended deadline) to find new ways of combining your academic interests while finding solutions to real-world issues!
As we all confront the pandemic, it’s important to realize we must work together to create viable solutions. Check out the Bennion Scholars application (which now has an extended deadline) to find new ways of combining your academic interests while finding solutions to real-world issues!
 
Are you registering for classes for the Spring Semester? Check out CEL course...
Are you registering for classes for the Spring Semester? Check out CEL courses and learn how they can add to your collegiate experience!
Are you registering for classes for the Spring Semester? Check out CEL courses and learn how they can add to your collegiate experience!
 
Meet Grace!  Grace is from Park City, Utah. Through the Bennion Scholars Prog...
3
Meet Grace!  Grace is from Park City, Utah. Through the Bennion Scholars Program, they were able to start a condom delivery service right here at the U!  Learn more about the Pleasure Pack Delivery Service and all the amazing things you could do as a Bennion Scholar!
Meet Grace!  Grace is from Park City, Utah. Through the Bennion Scholars Program, they were able to start a condom delivery service right here at the U!  Learn more about the Pleasure Pack Delivery Service and all the amazing things you could do as a Bennion Scholar!
 
Actions speak louder than words! When you're a leader, your behavior and acti...
Actions speak louder than words! When you're a leader, your behavior and actions can speak so much more loudly than any speeches. To begin making a difference and getting involved in direct service, check out the opportunities listed on our website (bennioncenter.org)!
Actions speak louder than words! When you're a leader, your behavior and actions can speak so much more loudly than any speeches. To begin making a difference and getting involved in direct service, check out the opportunities listed on our website (bennioncenter.org)!
 
Meet Bridget! Learn how Bridget has kept her pediatric ostomy support group i...
4
Meet Bridget! Learn how Bridget has kept her pediatric ostomy support group in contact during the pandemic, what her pediatric ostomy support group means to her, and why you should be involved and become a Bennion Scholar with your very own project!
Meet Bridget! Learn how Bridget has kept her pediatric ostomy support group in contact during the pandemic, what her pediatric ostomy support group means to her, and why you should be involved and become a Bennion Scholar with your very own project!
 
Meet Anahy! Anahy is a Bennion Scholar who has done amazing work bringing sci...
4
Meet Anahy! Anahy is a Bennion Scholar who has done amazing work bringing science education to kids with underrepresented backgrounds through Science in the Parks! Learn more about what she’s been doing with Science in Parks during the pandemic and why you should apply to become a Bennion Scholar!
Meet Anahy! Anahy is a Bennion Scholar who has done amazing work bringing science education to kids with underrepresented backgrounds through Science in the Parks! Learn more about what she’s been doing with Science in Parks during the pandemic and why you should apply to become a Bennion Scholar!
 
Kafka said that "paths are made by walking" and we take this statement to hea...
1
Kafka said that "paths are made by walking" and we take this statement to heart at the Bennion Center! If you start as a leader, more and more people will follow you, and eventually you'll be able to create long-lasting impacts on the community and world at large! Start your path to becoming a leader by getting involved with community service, and check out our website (bennioncenter.org) for COVID-19 safe opportunities that are available this semester!
Kafka said that "paths are made by walking" and we take this statement to heart at the Bennion Center! If you start as a leader, more and more people will follow you, and eventually you'll be able to create long-lasting impacts on the community and world at large! Start your path to becoming a leader by getting involved with community service, and check out our website (bennioncenter.org) for COVID-19 safe opportunities that are available this semester!
 
Ever thought about enriching your education with meaningful volunteer experie...
3
Ever thought about enriching your education with meaningful volunteer experiences? Then the Bennion Scholars Program is for you! Watch our video to find out more!
Ever thought about enriching your education with meaningful volunteer experiences? Then the Bennion Scholars Program is for you! Watch our video to find out more!
 
 
 
 
 
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"IN A GENTLE WAY, YOU CAN SHAKE THE WORLD"

-Gandhi

 Our Land Acknowledgement

We, at the Bennion Center, acknowledge that the land on which we operate, and which is named for the Ute Tribe, is the traditional and ancestral homeland of the Shoshone, Paiute, Goshute, and Ute Tribes. We recognize and respect the enduring relationship that exists between many Indigenous peoples and their traditional homelands. We respect the sovereign relationship between tribes, states, and the federal government, and we affirm the University of Utah’s commitment to a partnership with Native Nations and Urban Indian communities through research, education, and community outreach activities.

Last Updated: 9/28/23