Our Programs

Our passionate, dedicated students reach beyond our campus to take part in the life of our city and use their talents to support our neighboring communities.

Each year, thousands of our students work and volunteer in local schools and community organizations in Chicago. On campus and off, our students are empowered to challenge conventional thinking as they confront some of the most critical challenges of our time.

Working alongside neighborhood partners, our students engage with the broader community, build lasting relationships, and expand their horizons as they bring their energy, enthusiasm, and fresh ideas to classrooms, community centers, and civic institutions across the city.

Chicago Bound

Week-long pre-orientation program for incoming first-year students that advances community awareness and civic engagement while introducing students to the city of Chicago

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Seeds of Justice

Academic year-long student leadership development program focused on social change for selected first-year students

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Feature Fridays

Join us for weekly conversations about Chicago, civic engagement, and social change.

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Afternoon Tea with UCSC

Join us for weekly conversations about Chicago, civic engagement, and social change.

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Summer Links

10-week cohort program that pairs undergraduate students with internships at local community-based organizations and explores social issues impacting the city of Chicago

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Short and Long-Term Civic Engagement Opportunities

The UCSC organizes civic engagement opportunities throughout the year, in both short- and long-term formats.

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Yevanit Reschechtko, AB'15, Neighborhood Schools Program

“I felt that the Neighborhood Schools Program was an important stepping stone for me to become more informed about educational policies and gaps that children face in these neighborhoods.”

Jonah Benning-Shorb, SB’20, Chicago Bound

“Chicago Bound has really inspired me and taught me and given me the tools to go forward to not only work on political campaigns, but work on social justice initiatives in the community."

Will Davis, AB'17, Summer Links

"One of the reasons I wanted to join Summer Links was to understand what I had been learning in my classes in a new way, from new perspectives, from community perspectives."

Claire Sampson, AB'19, Neighborhood Schools Program

“As a Neighborhood Schools Program 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.”

Student Civic Engagement Center

Home to the University’s two largest student civic engagement programs — the Neighborhood Schools Program (NSP) and University Community Service Center (UCSC) — the Student Civic Engagement Center is a central hub for student civic engagement activities on campus.

Edelstone Center
6030 S. Ellis Ave.
Chicago, IL 60637