Service Learning Focus

Redlands requires each undergraduate to participate in a for-credit, meaningful and engaging service experience within a service learning course or by independently contracting to serve a non-profit agency or school.
*Redlands students gave more than 100,000 hours of service during the university’s 100th year in 2007, volunteering in agencies around the world.

Flagship Programs at Redlands:

Service and Study Abroad - Our faculty-led service study abroad courses are highly popular with students and integrate service into travel during our month-long May Term. Service learning in countries such as China, Ecuador, Japan, Uruguay, Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica and elsewhere captures the essence of an international travel experience while embracing the spirit of serving and learning.

Jaspers Corner Homework Club-- Staffed completely by undergraduate tutors, this homework club meets the growing need local families have for individual children struggling with academics. Jasper’s Corner pairs college tutors with local children, at no cost to their families, who need a extra hand with homework and subject matter.

Big Buddies-- A mentoring programs for elementary, middle and high school students that brings local children to campus weekly for arts and crafts, concerts, tours, homework help and other activities. This program has been matching college mentors with local children since 1987 and is fully funded by the Associated Students of the University of Redlands and Redlands’ Town and Gown.

Recent awards and accolades:

The University of Redlands earned classifications by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in both the Curricular Engagement and Community Partnerships categories.

Redlands was named to the first-ever President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, a distinction that recognized students, faculty and staff for helping to build a culture of service and civic engagement on campus.

The University of Redlands Bulldog Football Team received the Jostens Award for single service project for service in New Orleans in helping to clean-up and rebuild after hurricane Katrina.

Academic Service Learning

Several departments have built academic service components into the structure of their courses including philosophy, race and ethnic studies, sociology, religious studies, business, women’s studies, environmental studies, accounting and more.

Student on their service experience:

“Serving in New Orleans was life changing and although a lot of people have political views on what happened there, for me, I related to the people as if they were my own family. It helped me cross boundaries and physically, it taught me I could rise to the challenge.”
- Hillary Chambers, Senior, Sociology Major, U of R

“Community Service is the best form of correlated growth between an individual and their community. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone grow more than when they are doing community service.”
- Nick Fisher, Senior, Business Administration, U of R

“Mentoring children has changed the way I view my life. My experiences have made me more aware of my surroundings, and increased my desire to change the world.”
- Lorna Holzer, Junior, Liberal Studies Major, U of R

“Serving the community has expanded my college experience by giving me an opportunity to make a difference in local children’s lives.”
– Lauren Brewer, Senior Liberal Studies Major, U of R