University of Colorado at Boulder

Boulder, Colorado

A large public institution, the University of Colorado at Boulder offers a compelling portrait of an engaged institution. The University’s service projects featured a multi-faceted approach to engaging the community. These range from student-directed efforts, such as the Volunteer Clearinghouse that works to link interested students with volunteer programs that best fit both their interest and the needs of participating organizations, to faculty-directed efforts, such as the University’s Institute for Ethical and Civic Engagement, which has funded the development and implementation of civic engagement courses and projects that address a wide range of issues. Specific examples include programs focused on improving water quality, Native American economic development, and high school and middle school retention.

The University of Colorado at Boulder is also the home of the founding chapter of the Engineers Without Borders, which allows students and faculty to help disadvantaged communities worldwide improve their quality of life through the implementation of environmentally and economically sustainable engineering projects. Successes include building an easy-to-use water purification system in Rwanda. Finally, the INVST Community Studies project puts students on the path of a lifetime of service by encouraging participants to see themselves as community leaders. Students work on a wide range of issues, including designing sustainable affordable housing for use in Boulder and on Indian reservations; mentoring local youth; and developing water, electrical and heating systems both nationally and internationally.