Students who are involved have higher graduation rates, better verbal communication skills, problem-solving skills and decision-making skills. Research shows they work better in teams, find and evaluate information better, and are more likely to stay in college than those who are not involved. Mizzou offers a multitude of opportunities to get involved. We even have involvement ambassadors available for one-on-one consultations and group presentations.

Understanding their own talents, strengths, leadership style, skills and social identities is critical to students’ development during college. The Social Change Model provides a blueprint for developing new leadership skills and understanding the skills that they already possess. Our leadership development programs are designed with this in mind.

Being an active citizen means making your community a high priority in your life. Voting, volunteering and organizing to effect change in the world are just a few examples of what it means to be an active citizen. We offer a variety of service programs to give students opportunities to practice active citizenship.

It’s easy for students to list clubs and activities on their résumés, but employers want to hear about the skills they learned through these experiences and how those will transition into the workplace. We help students articulate how their involvement experience gives them an edge after college.

Approved community partners will be able to share volunteer opportunities through our office. We will promote your volunteer opportunities and connect you with students that express interest in volunteering with your organization. By posting volunteer opportunities on the Engage portal, our Office is able to share these opportunities with the Mizzou campus and expand your reach. We will also share volunteer opportunities on our social media platforms on behalf of our community partners.

Share a Volunteer Opportunity

Step Forward Day is a one day service event for first-year students. Incoming students have the opportunity to participate in an afternoon of service throughout the Columbia community. Students are provided with transportation to and from the service site. Community partners can participate as a service site by hosting a service project for 10 or more students.

Become a Step Forward Day Site

Caring for Columbia is the largest student-run day of service at Mizzou. Each spring, students, faculty, and staff from all over campus unite to honor the Columbia community in a day of volunteering. Community partners can participate as a service site by hosting a service project for 10 or more students.

Apply to be a Caring for Columbia Site

Tigers for a Cause is a student-led service program that offers weekly service opportunities leaving from the MU Student Center. Students can RSVP through Engage to join a group of fellow students in serving with a local community partner for two to three hours. Community partners can participate by becoming a Tigers for a Cause service site. Past sites have included the Food Bank, Harry S Truman Veteran’s Hospital, Columbia Healthcare Center, Central Missouri Humane Society, Moving Ahead Program, and a variety of environmental projects. Transportation is provided to and from all service events. Each service event is led by a student leader who serves as the liaison with the community partner.

Become a Tigers for a Cause Site

Each fall, the Office of Student Engagement has a Volunteer Fair for students to connect with various volunteer opportunities around Columbia. The Volunteer Fair provides a great opportunity for community partners to promote their organization and volunteer opportunities on-campus. The Volunteer Fair is now free for community partners (table and lunch provided). Community partners are responsible for their own parking. Space is limited.

Join us at the Volunteer Fair

The Office of Student Engagement hosts an annual community partner luncheon. The luncheon is an opportunity to network, share ways for community partners to get involved in our one-day service events, and provide strategies and tools to promote your volunteer opportunities to the entire Mizzou campus. For more information on the Community Partner Luncheon, please email service@missouri.edu.