UMass students contribute hundreds of thousands of hours of community service every year, preparing to be engaged and thoughtful citizens.
Community service is central to the UMass mission, so much so that the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has named the University of Massachusetts a Community-Engaged University.
Each of the five campuses engages in activities to serve the community.
Students at UMass Amherst provide free tax preparation services to low- to moderate-income individuals, people with disabilities, the elderly and those with limited English-speaking abilities.
During UMass Boston’s annual tradition, Spring Day of Service, students and alumni participate in a range of activities from beautification projects with local community centers to outdoor clean-up and gardening projects.
Through America Reads, UMass Dartmouth students tutor children in area schools to ensure they can read independently by third grade.
Each year, UMass Lowell devotes over 200,000 hours to community service through projects including collecting warm coats for the needy, raising money for cancer research, creating business plans for non-profit organizations and volunteering with the state police search-and-rescue team.
Recently, the UMass Law class of 2017 completed more than 7,000 hours of pro bono and other law-related service to the community, and volunteered in 37 different offices, including private law firms, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.
UMass Chan Medical School works closely with the United Way of Central Massachusetts to promote participation in the Greater Worcester Community Health Improvement Plan. Through this engagement, UMass Medical School has provided outreach, including making flu shots available for the area’s seniors and schoolchildren.