University Community Service Center
The University Community Service Center (UCSC) connects students to civic engagement opportunities, on and off campus, that complement the University of Chicago’s rigorous academic experience. Part of the Office of Civic Engagement, UCSC provides a range of resources that contribute to student civic learning and impact across the city of Chicago.
Founded by Michelle Obama in 1996, UCSC helps students make meaningful connections with Chicago’s diverse communities and prepares them to become productive, thoughtful leaders in their civic, academic, and professional lives. More than 2,000 students participate in UCSC programming in partnership with more than 250 Chicago organizations per year.
Through UCSC, students can learn from, and contribute to, organizations and initiatives making a meaningful impact across Chicago’s neighborhoods.
Students are connected to a broad spectrum of engagement opportunities and commitment levels tailored to a range of interests.
Get Involved!
Featured news
Incoming College students meet with local civic leaders to learn about Chicago and opportunities to thoughtfully engage at Engage Chicago orientation event
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Ukrainian students excited to begin studies at UChicago
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Women athletes in the College partner with South Side Special Olympians
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UChicago College student amplifies underrepresented voices through media, fashion
Profiles
Akanksha Shah
Maroon Tutor Match
“Maroon Tutor Match helped me learn to work with people — not just students and families, but tutors as well — who were very different from me and had different priorities and struggles. Getting a better understanding of where people are coming from is invaluable.”
Claire Sampson
Neighborhood Schools Program
“As an NSP volunteer, I felt that I was in classrooms to build relationships with students and teachers and schools. It’s all about those 35 kids and what they need, whether that means helping a teacher prep curriculum work, grading papers, or working with a student one-on-one.”
Devshi Mehrotra
CompileHer
“It is only when individuals from diverse backgrounds are equipped with digital skills that they will be able to craft technological solutions for the communities they belong to.”
Esi Koomson
University Community Service Center
Supporting organizations that support the South Side through UCSC, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on the area, has been a meaningful way for Koomson to stay connected to her community and join forces with like-minded peers who care about making a positive impact, even if engagement this year has been largely virtual.
Jose Heredia
University of Chicago College Advising Corps
“It’s a lot of work, but it also allows me to draw upon a wide range of situations and prepares me for a population with diverse needs."
Julian Green
Summer Links
An Environmental and Urban Studies major and Critical Race and Ethnic Studies minor who grew up on Chicago’s South Side, rising fourth year Julian Green says participating in the Summer Links internship program channeled passion into meaningful impact.
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