Civic engagement at Widener means working to make an impact and change in our communities. As a current student, you'll have countless opportunities to give back and gain valuable experiences by engaging in volunteer opportunities and collaborating with our campus, community, and global partnerships.
When you engage in community service, you’re doing more than volunteering. You’re building leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills that carry into any career. Some of the ways students get involved include:
GivePulse is Widener’s community engagement platform, designed to help you find and get involved in volunteer opportunities, service events, and community projects.
Whether you’re looking to meet people, support a cause you care about, or log hours for a class or organization, GivePulse makes it easy to get started and stay involved.
Not sure how to use the platform? View GivePulse's Quick Guide for Users and Volunteers
Connect your coursework with real-world community experience while contributing to meaningful work beyond the classroom:
Many of the courses offered at Widener include service-learning, where coursework is paired with hands-on community projects. With an average of 25 of these courses offered each semester, students work with community partners to address real issues while earning academic credit.
This can take many forms, such as:
Courses that partner with community organizations
Research or applied projects addressing local challenges
Faculty-led service trips or projects connected to course content
This approach connects what students learn in the classroom with real-world impact.
Faculty-led service-learning trips are immersive experiences where students, guided by Widener professors, engage in community service projects in domestic or international locations. Along the way, you'll gain a deeper understanding of different cultures and broaden your perspective.
Community outreach goes beyond volunteering by focusing on collaboration with local partners around shared goals and community needs. You’ll take part in projects that support the Chester community while building relationships that create lasting impact.
Interested in focusing on a specific issue in Chester? Contact us get connected with a community partner
Widener's annual Summer Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities program is open to all undergraduate students who have a faculty mentor and a minimum of a 2.0 cumulative GPA. Your research—which can be a continuation of a current project or exploration of a new topic—can take the form of a creative endeavor such as dance, poetry, or film; an applied project; or traditional research in your discipline.
Community-based work study offers you the opportunity to earn money while participating in community service projects. Undergraduate and graduate students can work with local businesses and organizations to make an impact. Opportunities range from high impact tutoring to working as an intern with local nonprofits. You'll develop work-ready skills while making positive change.
Help promote local voter turnout and support the democratic process. By connecting with local voters and helping them understand their options, you ensure that every voice in the community has the chance to be heard.
Incoming first-year students committed to civic engagement can take part in programs that focus on leadership development, mentorship, and community service.
Programs include:
Widener's Schmutz Student Engagement mini-grants range from $500 to $1,000 (with total annual funding capped at $2,500). Awarded annually, these mini-grants support undergraduate, student-led projects focused on the city of Chester. Projects must involve collaboration with a Chester community partner and aim to meet community needs, propose innovations, or pursue other diverse opportunities, to serve the community.
Civic engagement is a powerful way to get involved, meet people, and make a difference during your time at Widener. Along the way, you’ll build valuable skills, grow in confidence, and discover what matters most to you.
College is your time to find your voice and make it count. With election season around the corner, now’s the time to get registered, informed, and engaged. The Center for Civic Engagement and Political Engagement Committee are here to help you feel prepared and confident casting your vote.
Philanthropy at Widener goes beyond financial contributions; it’s about fostering a culture of giving that strengthens the campus community. Students can make a difference through volunteering, mentorship, and advocating for causes that support the university’s growth and success.
Taylor Easter is the 2025 President's Award winner. One of the university's highest honors, the President's Award recognizes a graduating senior who has contributed the most to Chester campus life through scholarship and participation in extracurricular activities.
The STEM Teaching Center, formerly known as the Science Teaching Center, is making a big local impact and creating a pathway for students from across the university to engage with the community.
Widener University’s work-study tutoring program, which supports Chester fourth graders, has been recognized for expansion by the Partnership for Student Success, highlighting its impact on student learning and academic achievement.
University Center, 2nd Floor
University Center, 2nd office
