Become a Service Learning Community Partner

Connecting community organizations with students through equity-focused service learning partnerships that create meaningful impact for students and the region.

Where Community and Learning Connect

Thank you for your interest in partnering with the Cal State Monterey Bay Service Learning Institute (SLI). With more than 400 active partners, we’re proud to collaborate with organizations across the region to create meaningful, equity-focused learning experiences for students — and real impact in our communities.

We look forward to learning how we can support each other’s missions and strengthen our shared work through service.

What is Service Learning?

At Cal State Monterey Bay, every undergraduate student completes at least one service learning course as part of their degree.

Courses are typically offered during the 16-week fall and spring semesters, with some available in shorter winter and summer terms
Students complete 25 or 30 hours of service with a single organization and are supervised by a designated site supervisor
Courses span all majors and are rooted in social justice, equity and multicultural community-building
On average, 1,400 students participate in service learning each fall and spring

Organizations with existing partnership agreements do not need to resubmit. Contact us to verify your status.

How to Become a Community Partner

Step 1: Request to Initiate a Partnership

Start by submitting the Request to Initiate Partnership Form. This helps us learn about your organization, your mission, and the types of service opportunities you can offer students.

The form takes about 10-20 minutes and cannot be saved in progress.

You’ll be asked to share:

Organization mission, population served and contact information
Site requirements, safety policies and risk protocols
Details for one service opportunity (students, hours, expectations, etc.)

If your organization offers more than one type of opportunity, you can submit additional details using the Create New Opportunity form.

To support a strong match, we encourage you to include clear role descriptions, time commitments and any special skills required.

View an example of a well-prepared opportunity.

Step 2: Sign the University-Agency Agreement (UAAPS)

This formal agreement makes your organization an official CSUMB community partner for five years.

This agreement is required for any organization that hosts students in any capacity
An authorized signatory must complete the form
This agreement does not obligate you to host students every term or limit you to service learning students only

University Agency Agreement for Placement of Students

Step 3: Prepare to Host Students

Once your partnership is active, you’ll receive key updates from the Service Learning Institute throughout the semester.

Keep an eye on your email for:

Meet-and-greet and recruitment opportunities
Informational meetings and trainings
Other important messages from SLI staff and faculty

When students are matched with your organization, site supervisors will:

Sign student learning plans
Approve service hours
Submit evaluations through CalState S4

Questions? We’re here to help!

We’re here to answer any questions you may have about any part of the process.

Get in Touch

Reach out to learn more about becoming a service learning community partner and working with CSUMB students.

Tritia Moneypenny

Coordinator of Community Partnerships