Civic Engagement

VolunteerUM is a vibrant, student-led volunteer group that makes meaningful differences in the Missoula community and beyond through its signature programs, Service Saturdays and Alternative Breaks.

Join one of UM’s community drives this year, such as Stuff the Bus – Beat the Bobcats or Holiday Helpers. More information will be available soon!

UM’s Co-Lab for Civic Imagination and The Mansfield Centerco-host a campuswide democracy summit each spring. This event features student-led activities, faculty insights, creative participatory dialogues, and performances across multiple locations.

The Mansfield Dialogues are an annual series of discussions designed to bring speakers on contemporary issues to a wider audience. These critical community discussions are attended by high school and university students and community members across Montana and the world.

Join together with students from diverse majors to address complex global challenges around issues such as public health, sustainability and inequality. The Franke Global Leadership Initiative is a four-year, 12-credit certificate program that gives you access to world-class leaders and provides opportunities to tackle real-world problems locally and around the globe.

The global leadership certificate can be added to any UM major and includes interdisciplinary group work, small seminar classes from a wide variety of faculty across campus and leadership training. The program also features a unique “Beyond the Classroom” experiential learning opportunity which can include study abroad, an internship or field experience, service-learning or research with guaranteed scholarship funding of up to $5,000.

The mission of LeadershipU is to empower students to practice self-reflection, engage with peers, seek out social change, build better organizations, and cultivate community at UM. Students will engage in facilitated discussions on the following topics: community building, servant leadership, social justice and activism, interpersonal skills, active listening, conflict resolution, mindfulness, self-care, and authentic leadership.

Learn how to register to vote or update your registration and make a voting plan. (Resource in development).

Whether you’re a first-time voter or updating your information, Montana Election & Voter Services provides comprehensive resources and step-by-step instructions to ensure your registration is accurate and complete.

UM defines service learning as a method of teaching and learning in which students, faculty and community partners work together to enhance student learning by applying academic knowledge in a community-based setting. Student work addresses the needs of the community, while meeting instructional objectives meant to prepare students to be civically responsible members of the community. 

Are you planning on participating in a low-paid or unpaid internship or have a research project or study abroad trip planned? Perhaps you have an interest in attending a professional conference or have an idea for a social entrepreneurship project? If so, the Experiential Learning Scholarship can help you with the funds necessary to participate.

Students seeking support to pursue these types of experiential learning activities should apply. Students may apply for up to $2,000.

Experiences:

• Internships (low-paid* or unpaid)
• Research Projects
• Creative Works (performance/production)
• Travel (study abroad, National Student Exchange, field study programs, presentations and conferences, professional development)
• Service (projects related to serving your community)

More information will be available soon!