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Service Learning Institute

Engage with community, build meaningful experience, and transform lives through service learning at CSUMB.

About Us

The Service Learning Institute connects classrooms to communities through hands-on learning and civic engagement. Each year, nearly 3,000 students partner with more than 400 local organizations across the tri-county region, contributing more than 81,000 hours of service. These experiences build leadership, foster civic responsibility, and create lasting community impact—reflecting CSUMB’s commitment to inclusive excellence, sustainability, purpose‑driven innovation, and social justice.

"I was happy to be part of something bigger—contributing to a mission that fosters creativity and opportunity. Serving others isn’t just about giving—it’s about connection, shared growth, and making a difference together."

- Noishadha Chatterjee, 2025 Service Learning Award recipient, Computer Science

Why Service Learning?

A group of AES students look at their professor taking a field mouse out of a bag.

Hands‑on learning beyond the classroom

Apply academic knowledge to real‑world service contexts and build tangible skills.

Two students holding bags of produce from the produce truck.

Community engagement and regional stewardship

Partner with local organizations, strengthen the Monterey Bay region, and live CSUMB’s pillar of regional stewardship.

Students visiting a table at Otter Thursday.

Personal growth and belonging

Join a student‑focused, inclusive community dedicated to purposeful innovation and shared impact.

An instructor guiding a small group of students as they work on hands-on project.

Service that supports your future

Service‑learning strengthens your resume, expands your network, and builds leadership qualities.

Community Partners

Become a Community Partner

We partner with more than 500 organizations across Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties to connect students with hands-on service, civic leadership development and real-world learning that supports equity, sustainability and community well-being.

Arts and Culture

Palenke Arts, Sol Treasures, Art Abilities, Alisal Center for Fine Arts, Arts Council for Monterey County, Monterey Museum of Art, Monterey History & Art Association and others

Environment and Sustainability

Regeneración Pajaro Valley, Save Our Shores, Surfrider Foundation, MEarth, Elkhorn Slough, Big Sur Land Trust, Ecology Action, Habitat Stewardship Project, Last Chance Mercantile

Education and Youth Services

Community Partnership for Youth, The Village Project, Elevo, UPchieve, Digital NEST, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA, YWCA, A+ Tutoring, Monterey County Public & Free Libraries

Food Access and Basic Needs

Food Bank for Monterey County, Thomas Carman Food Pantry, CSUMB Basic Needs Initiative, Second Harvest Food Bank, Everyone’s Harvest

Government and Public Service

Cities of Seaside, Marina, Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz and Watsonville; Monterey County Health Department; Naval Support Activity Monterey; Defense Language Institute

K–12 Schools

Partner districts include: Monterey Peninsula, Alisal, Salinas Union, Pajaro Valley, North Monterey County, Gilroy, Santa Cruz, Soquel, Hollister, San Benito, Morgan Hill and others.

We also partner with Rancho Cielo, the Monterey County Office of Education and local charter and independent schools.

Social Services and Advocacy

Latin Advocacy Network, Gathering for Women, Community Bridges, United Way, Black Surf Santa Cruz, Asian Cultural Experience, MILPA, Community Health Engagement

This is a partial list. Partnerships may vary by semester.

During the 2024-2025 academic year, Cal State Monterey Bay students made a meaningful impact across Monterey, Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and San Benito counties through service learning partnerships with local organizations.

Student Placement by City

  • Salinas — 699 students
  • Seaside — 475 students
  • Monterey — 466 students
  • Marina — 221 students
  • Pacific Grove — 134 students
  • Carmel — 117 students
  • Watsonville — 109 students
  • Santa Cruz — 48 students
  • Soledad — 21 students
  • Moss Landing — 19 students
  • Greenfield — 19 students
  • Hollister — 17 students
  • Gilroy — 14 students
  • King City — 12 students
  • Chualar — 10 students
  • Gonzales — 7 students
  • Morgan Hill — 6 students
  • San Jose — 3 students

In addition, 389 students served remotely with organizations located outside the listed counties, across California and beyond.

This regional engagement reflects CSUMB’s commitment to community partnership, applied learning and regional stewardship. Through service learning, students apply their knowledge to real-world challenges while building skills that prepare them to lead and serve in diverse communities.

Leadership Programs

Student Leaders in Service Learning

The Student Leadership in Service Learning Program (SL2) is one of the most integral programs of the Service Learning Institute. The SL2 Program plays a vital role in creating peer-to-peer mentorship for CSUMB students engaging in service learning courses. Service Learning Student Leaders support students, faculty, and community partners in connecting concepts within the service learning courses to the service activities performed by students at community partner sites.

Learn more about SL2
A social work credential student sitting at desk in a classroom teaching two kids

College Corps

The College Corps Fellowship program is a partnership between CA Volunteers and AmeriCorps to provide up to $10,000 to high financial need and first generation students in exchange for 450 hours of training and community service to increase the affordability of college while developing tangible professional and leadership skills. College Corps places Fellows at local nonprofits, K-12 schools, healthcare institutions, and environmental organizations in Monterey and Santa Cruz County.

Learn more about College Corps
Basic Needs - BDA

Minor in Social Justice and Community Leadership

The Social Justice & Community Leadership minor program will empower you to foster and promote social justice through the elevated knowledge, skills, and perspectives to work effectively in a diverse society and create more just and equitable communities, workplaces, and social institutions.

Explore the Social Justice and Community Leadership Minor
Students with academic and career advisor Selena Plancarte - Arizmendi in front of a garden bed of samples taking notes
Green grass on the CSUMB Quad

Ready to Learn More?

The Service Learning team is ready to help you connect your coursework with meaningful community engagement.

Service Learning Hours

Our hours of operation are Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 10 a.m to 5 p.m., and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Contact Service Learning

Available Monday and Wednesday from 12 to 1 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.