image of students packing bags for a community event

Student Initiatives and Opportunities

Community Engaged Learning

CLA offers courses across the liberal arts disciplines that combine traditional classroom learning and community engagement. These courses can range from classroom-based projects to visiting community locations. See these course descriptions for specific information.

CJ 3007: Cybercrime - Criminal Justice

This course examines the criminal activity that occurs in cyberspace, the criminal actors that operate and organize in this space, the various criminological theoretical explanations for their crimes, and how policing and legal bodies are managing these crimes and criminals. Emphasis is on how communication technologies (e.g., computers and related networking technologies) can be targets of crime, instruments of crime, and important sources of criminal evidence. Students in this class will examine how cybercrime occurs along a continuum of technical expertise and physical-cyber operations. Students will also engage in practical experiential learning projects that emphasize everyday safe cyber-hygiene.

SOC 3301: Philadelphia as a Social Laboratory - Sociology

This course uses a community-engaged learning approach that enables direct interaction with the city of Philadelphia and familiarity with Philadelphia-based organizations, activists, and institutions. Each week students are expected to participate in hands-on activities, including site visits and panel discussions, to witness the way various social issues play out in Philadelphia. This includes issues like racial inequality, history and memory, public arts and social justice, neighborhood change, education, public space, homelessness, incarceration and criminal justice, health, and housing. We consider various ways to approach complex social challenges by critically assessing the relationship between "problems" - as they are defined - and "solutions" - as they are developed. The course provides an opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with organizations and institutions working to address the social challenges that face the city of Philadelphia, its people, and its communities.

SPAN 4885: Internship Course - Spanish

Immerse yourself in the Spanish-speaking communities of Philadelphia through this experiential learning course! Explore Latin culture and practice Spanish conversation skills by helping local organizations provide health, education and other critical services to Spanish-speaking community members. Work on site in the Spanish-speaking community combined with in-class discussion of the work experience and of readings focusing on the Spanish language in the U.S.

Community Scholars Program

The Community Scholars Program is a paid opportunity for CLA students to gain tools to make a difference in the community, in partnership with other like-minded students. During this 10-week introductory program, you’ll learn principles of effective engagement, participate in community projects, and discuss issues that impact life in Philadelphia. Then, Scholars use these tools to design community-centered solutions.

Volunteer Opportunities & Internships

Check out the featured opportunities we have for volunteer opportunities!

Artwell Community Programming Internship

We are seeking a Community Programming Intern to support the planning, implementation, and evaluation of our community engagement initiatives. You will be responsible for collaborating with our Programs Team to plan 2 community events between July 2025 – June 2026. These events will increase ArtWell’s presence with the communities of families and students living around or adjacent to the schools that we are partnered with. Gain invaluable hands-on experience through networking and professional development!

Responsibilities include:

  • Virtual meetings twice a month
  • Plan a maximum of 2 community-oriented, arts-based events
  • Conduct outreach and support program logistics
  • Collaborate and communicate with the team and community

To apply, contact Keyonna Butler, Program Coordinator, with a resume and cover letter: .

Saint Peter the Apostle School

A school volunteer at St. Peter the Apostle School works in a variety of capacities to increase the educational offerings afforded to students, support classroom and specials teachers in instruction, support struggling students through one on one instruction or tutoring, assist with ENL (English as a New Language) students, provide homework help, assist with small group social emotional learning, and other activities that support the mission of St. Peter the Apostle School. Volunteers report to the school principal and are responsible for working with the school employee in charge of their area of service.

Essential Skills:

  • Experience caring for children.
  • Well-organized and committed.
  • Creative and energetic.
  • Strong moral values and discipline.
  • Work independently and collaboratively without extensive oversight.
  • Be able to manage schedules, multi-task, and respond to unpredictable situations with creativity and confidence.

If interested, contact Teresa at .

The Food Trust

The Food Trust is seeking an intern or unpaid volunteer (with the opportunity to receive credit from their institution) based in the Philadelphia area to support the Food Bucks and Food Bucks Rx programs. This position includes both in-person and remote responsibilities, available between 8-20 hours per week.

Internship activities could include:

  • Scanning barcodes from redeemed Food Bucks and Food Bucks Rx paper coupons.
  • Inputting data into Excel and/or Google spreadsheets.
  • Preparing Food Bucks + FB Rx distribution packets.
  • Attending learning meetings or partner meetings.
  • Recruiting survey participants and administering surveys.
  • Creating flyers and promotional materials for the Food Bucks program.
  • Analyzing data to evaluate programming.
  • Conducting research to make recommendations to improve, innovate, or digitize our nutrition incentive programming.

Desired qualifications:

  • Enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate school program.
  • Excited about improving access to fresh food.
  • Strong communication and organizational skills.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google Suite.
  • Skilled collaborator and team player.
  • Reliable and detail oriented.
  • Tech-savvy and quick to learn new software applications.
  • Ability to work 8-20 hours a week.
  • Ability to work in a hybrid environment (1 day per week, Wednesdays, in the Philadelphia office, and remote otherwise).

Community Engagement Contact

  • Heather Lewis-Weber

    Heather Lewis-Weber

    • College of Liberal Arts

      • Office of the Dean

        • Director of Community Engagement

        • Co-Director

          Programs

          • CLA Translation Institute