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Community Engagement

Transforming people, institutions, and communities through mutually beneficial partnerships, reciprocity, and accessible opportunities.

Carnegie Classification
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  2. Who We Are
  3. Community Engagement
First class of Bonner's Scholars, 2021

"The United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County loves partnering with the Center for Community Engagement to promote increased collaboration, engagement, and impact throughout the Lafayette-Oxford-University (LOU) community."

Kurt Brummett

Executive Director of United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County (UWOLC)

Community Engagement at the University of Mississippi

Community Engagement is at the heart of the University of Mississippi. We take pride in the ways UM collaborates with partnering communities. 

Across the University’s 192 offices, 71% are directly engaged in community engagement. In other words, UM's academic departments and research centers are well known for their collaborations with communities across the state and nation.

In acknowledgement of the University's ongoing community engagement efforts, UM was awarded the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement in 2020. With this classification from the Carnegie Foundation, UM joins an elite group of over 300 institutions actively involved in improving local communities across the country.  

What does community engagement at UM look like? Community engagement can take many forms, including:

  • Research to understand and address opportunities for growth within local communities

  • Projects involving UM and local communities to change lived conditions

  • Education that can benefit collaborating communities and scholars worldwide

  • Questions that seek to answer how UM can improve its priorities to be a better member of the community

Our work centers on two questions: How can academia help communities across the country? And, how can communities enrich academic life at the University? 

Castel V. Sweet

Meet the Director of the Center for Community Engagement

"The beauty of community engagement at the University of Mississippi is that it happens in various forms and practices. Deeply held partnerships have developed through years of investment and relationship building, and other new partnerships are newly forming and showing great promise. Collectively, we are working to support and strengthen collaborations that will transform people, institutions, and communities."

Castel V. Sweet

Director of Community Engagement & Assistant Professor of Practice in Community Engagement

Types of Community-Engaged Partnerships at the University of Mississippi

There are several ways that the University of Mississippi collaborates with local communities. Here are a few examples of UM's community-engaged partnerships.

Outreach is generally led by the University, with only some community involvement. In these collaborations, the University has unique information to share with local communities. Once UM has created a connection with collaborating partners, continued outreach and communication can happen in the future.

Consultation involves direct feedback from community members to help inform UM’s efforts. In these situations, both groups equally share information, develop connections, and further solidify ways to continue a mutually beneficial relationship.

An involved partnership is a more balanced collaboration between the University and community members. In this type of partnership, communication flows evenly between community members and UM. In this way, cooperation is increased as responsibilities are shared.

With shared leadership, the University equally shares leadership with community members. In other words, decision making is balanced between the two groups and communication continues to flow evenly and equally. One of the greatest outcomes from this type of partnership is increased collaboration and trust.

Community-driven partnerships benefit from strong community leadership in which community members make key and final decisions on any collaborative project. In this situation, the community may consult with UM to help with any technical questions. Community-driven partnerships are laser focused on the desires and needs of the community.

Programs and Initiatives

Eager to make a difference? Learn more about the ways our campus fosters community engagement and how you can get involved yourself.
A student repairs a window during an M Partner project.

M Partner

M Partner is a community engagement effort that affiliates with credit-bearing courses, offers community service opportunities, conducts research, facilitates internships, and provides technical assistance to advance community priorities.

Find Out about M Partner
Bonner Leaders fellows pose for a photo

Bonner Leaders Program

This four-year cohort program engages a dedicated group of students in high-commitment, paid internships at community partner sites designed to improve communities and grow students' civic leadership. 

Learn More about the Bonner Leaders Program
CEED scholars pose for a group photo

Catalyzing Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED) Initiative

The CEED Initiative works with graduate and undergraduate students and faculty to build partnerships with Mississippi communities, aiming to boost entrepreneurship and economic development across rural Mississippi.

See More about CEED
Students mingle outside Luckyday Hall.

Luckyday Scholars Program

The Luckyday Scholars Program provides scholarships to first-year and transfer students from Mississippi. Under the direction of faculty and staff, these students engage in scholarship, leadership development, community-building, and service. 

Explore Luckyday
Chancellor Boyce presents a student with his Honors College medal at commissioning.

Honors College Community Action Challenge

The Sally McDonnell Honors College provides an educational experience grounded in leadership, community, and service. Students participate in the Community Action Challenge by devoting at least ten hours a semester to the meaningful cause of their choice. 

Serve with the Honors College
Students study at tables outdoors as others walk by.

Magnolia Federal Work Study

The Magnolia Federal Work-Study Program connects undergraduate students who qualify for Federal Work-Study to on-campus jobs based on their skills, interests, and availability. Participants benefit from monthly development meetings that feature workshops led by campus and community leaders.

Learn More about MFWS
"I Voted" stickers sit on a table.

Voter Engagement

Nonpartisan, student-led efforts aim to boost voter registration, education, and turnout. For these efforts, multiple nonpartisan organizations have named the University of Mississippi a Voter-Friendly Campus. 

Make Your Voice Heard
Students attend a demonstration on the solar eclipse.

Partners for Service

Mutually beneficial collaboration with external partners enriches learning, informs research, and empowers service. Learn more about local and national organizations below.

Want to Transform Lives in your Community?

The Minor in Community Engaged Leadership is an interdisciplinary minor that prepares students for future community-based work.
Center for Community Engagement

UG

Community Engaged Leadership, Minor

Do meaningful work to improve your communities by earning the Community Engaged Leadership Minor.

  • Oxford

Want to Get Involved in Community Engagement?

There's a simple, easy way for students to get involved with community engagement at UM. 

GrovePulse connects you with opportunities for social change.

GrovePulse helps:

  • Community leaders advertise volunteer and internship opportunities 
  • Students browse for volunteer opportunities, supply drives, and fundraisers
  • Volunteers chart their collective impact and see how specific efforts make a difference in our communities

GrovePulse is the perfect place to get started helping out your community.

Find Opportunities

Ready to get invovled? Brows and register for service opportunities with GrovePulse.