Volunteer and Service Opportunities

SERVICE IS A CORE VALUE OF THE HONORS PROGRAM

The Honors Program promotes service at the highest level and in a variety of ways best suited to each individual's service passions.

In their introductory Honors courses, students begin to explore the range of complex social issues that affect our world and begin to narrow their focus on those causes that they are most passionate about. Once a student identifies issues that match their passions, the Honors Program can help connect that student with volunteer and service opportunities with non-profits, advocacy organizations, and special service projects that provide real-world experience on the student's path to becoming an active citizen. Course readings and reflections emphasize how students can use their career and personal interests to serve the greater good.

Honors service opportunities

Volunteer service hours requirement

As part of the Honors Protocol, each Honors student agrees to complete a minimum of 120 hours of community service during their time at Central, but most Honors students complete double or triple the required amount of hours. Ultimately, the hours are secondary to students feeling vested in the work they do to make a difference in an area they care about. Honors graduates report back on a regular basis to share the great work they are doing in their local communities and their parts of the world, using their education and talents to make meaningful contributions to society.

Course offerings

The Honors Program collaborates with CMU faculty to offer special Honors Service Learning Courses. Service Learning Courses in a variety of locations, such as Beaver Island, Miami, and Beijing, and are geared toward solutions to a variety of contemporary issues.

Community partners

The Honors Program works alongside community organizations within Mount Pleasant and throughout Michigan to serve the needs of our local communities. Regular partners in Mount Pleasant have included The Strickler Center, Women's Aid, The Isabella Community Soup Kitchen, The Isabella County Restoration House, among others.

Partnership with the Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center

The Honors Program works closely with Central Michigan University's Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center to engage students with a variety of opportunities in our community.

Registered Student Organizations

Through Registered Student Organizations, Honors students are able to interact with a range of local, state, national and international service agencies on issues such as hunger, homelessness, child abuse, disease, animal rights, literacy, education, environmental conservation, sustainability, healthcare and medical access, women's rights, etc. Many Honors students have launched Registered Student Organizations when they have seen a need where no campus group existed to help meet that need.