As a public land and sea grant university, the University of Connecticut is committed to preparing students, faculty, staff, and community members to address critical issues and advance the public good through meaningful engagement. The Office of Outreach and Engagement furthers this mission by cultivating informed, active citizens and strengthening democratic values and civic responsibility. 

To help guide this work, we draw on the Pathways to Public Service and Civic Engagement framework, developed by the Haas Center for Public Service at Stanford University. This nationally utilized typology helps individuals explore the many ways they can contribute to the common good during college and throughout their lives. The pathways often overlap, and it is common for people to move through different pathways over time.  

The six pathways through which individuals can engage in public service and civic life are below. We’ve included links to opportunities at UConn where you can engage in each of the pathways. Please note that this is not an extensive list, but only a few examples.  

Take the Pathways to Public Service Assessment using the link below to see where your interests align. Want to talk about your results or explore new ways to get involved? We’d love to connect! Just send us a message at engagement@uconn.edu. 

1. Community Engaged Learning and Research

Connecting academic work with community-identified needs and desires to enrich knowledge and inform action on social issues.

• Office of Undergraduate Research 
• Humanities Activism Community Engagement Research 
• Students can search for Community Engaged Learning Courses here by checking Service Learning Under Courses for Specific Academic Communities

2. Community Organizing and Activism

Mobilizing individuals or groups to influence or persuade others for social change. 

• Community Outreach’s Dialogue Initiatives 
• Social Justice at UConn School of Social Work

3. Direct Service

Addressing immediate needs of individuals or communities, often through direct interaction.

• Community Outreach’s One-Time Projects and Initiatives 
• Community Outreach’s Semester Long Programs

4. Philanthropy

Donating or using private funds to contribute to the public good.

• HuskyTHON 
• Coins for a Cause and Relief Efforts 
• Community Outreach’s Give & Go

5. Policy and Governance

Participating in political processes, policymaking, and public governance. 

• Undergraduate Student Government
• Voting is Social Work 
• CT Policy Talks

6. Social Entrepreneurship and Corporate Social Responsibility

Using ethical business approaches to address social or environmental issues. 

• Innovations Institute 
• Entrepreneurship & Innovation

The University of Connecticut Public Engagement and Outreach Standards are also essential for our work with students and community partners.