Office of Student Life

Leadership and Community Engagement

Semester of Service

Semester of Service autumn 2023 applications are now open!

Submit a Semester of Service Autumn 2023 Application today and give back to our community! Applications will be accepted through Friday, September 1, 2023.

Semester of Service is a leadership and service program that matches Ohio State students with local nonprofit organizations. This experience provides students the opportunity to gain insight into the values and function of community service, while making a semester-long commitment to serve at a single agency.

Partner Organizations

Is your organization interested in hosting a Semester of Service student?

Our application for community partners is currently live! If your organization is interested in hosting a Semester of Service student, please complete the Semester of Service Call for Agency Partners form by Friday, August 25.

Program Requirements

  • Student participants must be able to serve at least one volunteer shift (3-5 hours) per week at their assigned nonprofit organization.
  • Students must be able to attend three Semester of Service workshops throughout the semester

Additional Program Details

  • Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from the service site. 
    • Reimbursement for travel costs can be provided for students whose sites are not on the COTA bus line.
    • Transportation estimates are calculated from the Ohio Union to the service site.
    • Each nonprofit will have 3+ students, allowing for the possibility of carpooling if it is a comfortable accomodation for all paired students' schedules.
  • Past service sites have included:
    • After School All-Stars, All THAT- Teens Hopeful About Tomorrow, Franklin Park Conservatory, Columbus Metropolitan Libraries, FLOW (Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed), LifeCare Alliance, Jewish Family Services, STAR House, Broad Street Food Pantry, Neighborhood Services Inc., Columbus MetroParks, NNEMAP Food Panty, Keep Columbus Beautiful, United Prep, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
  • Past social justice service areas have included:
    • Houseless/homeless community support, aging population care, environmental stewardship, community outreach and neighborhood development, economic development, and elementary school educational access.

Ready to Apply?

Submit a Semester of Service Autumn 2023 Application today and give back to our community! Applications will be accepted through Friday, September 1, 2023.

All Ohio State students are welcome to apply.

Questions?

Please reach out to Madi Barnes at barnes.972@osu.edu.