Winthrop University (USA)

Winthrop University is a public liberal arts university in South Carolina. Founded in 1886 as a women’s college, Winthrop University became fully coeducational in 1974 and now enrolls over 6,000 students in the fields of arts and sciences, education, business administration, and visual and performing arts. Winthrop University’s website>>

Volunteer and Community Service Program

An office within the Center for Career and Civic Engagement, Volunteer and Community Service partners with the surrounding community to provide co-curricular service opportunities for students, faculty, and staff. Opportunities include participation in a student-led service organization, S.O.A.R. (Serving Others and Reflecting), the Winthrop Homework Clinic, Alternative Spring Break, blood drives, one day service events, and long term site placements. Students are linked to service opportunities that fit their talents, schedules and desires while meeting the needs of local communities. Learn more>>

S.O.A.R. (Serving Others and Reflecting)

SOAR is a student directed, service oriented club that impacts the campus community and surrounding areas.  Its members are instrumental in coordinating service projects and volunteer initiatives.  Projects cover a wide range of topics such as animal rights, children, elderly, environmental, healthcare, and hunger & homelessness.  Each of these divisions has student leaders that regularly work with students and community partners to offer events and opportunities to volunteer. Learn more>>

The Rocha Project

The Rocha Project is an international service-learning partnership that began in 2007 in Rocha, a war-torn mountain community in Nicaragua. Working with several local and regional non-profits as well as community members, a plan has been developed to broaden access to education, assess nutritional needs, and develop eco-tourism through the establishment of a rural archeological museum. Since the project began, Winthrop has helped build a new school in Rocha, has worked with the local population on agricultural diversification and nutrition, and improved local sanitation. Learn more>>

Close Scholars

Established in 1998, the Close Scholars program is driven by the idea that service is vital to the complete education of college students because future leaders have a civic responsibility. Six renewable scholarships are offered each year. In addition to academic requirements, Close Scholars must provide an average of eight hours of service per week and complete reflection activities on their service. A majority of their service must be done at an approved primary service site. Learn more>>