Community Service
The WCU Staff Senate has long been a driving force in fostering a culture of service—both on campus and throughout our surrounding communities. Year after year, our commitment to meaningful engagement has grown, and with it, the number of service activities and volunteer opportunities. As this momentum continues, so does our focus on creating structured, well-promoted pathways for staff senators and all employees to give back and get involved.
We believe that consistent community service is not only a way to uplift others, but also a chance for WCU staff to share our university’s values, build lasting relationships, and establish sustainable partnerships across the region.
Got it! Here’s a polished version with your updated theme—highlighting “connections” as the central focus of the year:
For the 2025–2026 academic year, our guiding theme is Connections. This focus speaks to our belief that meaningful relationships—across campus and throughout our region—are the foundation of impactful service. By building strong internal and external networks, we aim to foster deeper collaboration, increase visibility, and create long-lasting partnerships that enhance WCU’s presence and influence in the broader community.
Over the past years, Staff Senate has taken important steps to enhance our efforts:
- Collaborating closely with the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning (CCESL), the Division of Advancement, and key campus partners
- Creating a dedicated Community Service Liaison role to focus on strategic service efforts
- Strengthening our systems for tracking service participation and impact, resulting in more robust engagement across campus
Looking ahead, we’re uniquely positioned to lead a campus-wide approach to community engagement. Our goals for the upcoming year include:
- Expanding our initiatives in collaboration with Faculty Senate and Student Government Association (SGA)
- Engaging staff in community service opportunities in which they are interested and invested
- Identifying new partnerships and strengthening existing ones across campus, in Jackson County, and across Western North Carolina
By aligning service with strategy, we can amplify WCU’s influence and continue building bridges that benefit our campus, our neighbors, and our shared future.
Committee Service Liason:
Julie Mathis (jlmathis@wcu.edu)
Report Your Community Service Hours
What is Community Service?
Community service involves individuals or groups volunteering their time and skills to support and strengthen their communities. While it’s often seen as a form of giving back, it also offers meaningful opportunities for personal growth, connection, and learning.
In higher education and the workplace, community engagement is increasingly valued for its ability to foster collaboration, empathy, and leadership. Research shows that when students and staff participate in structured service programs, they often develop a stronger sense of belonging, improve key skills, and deepen their understanding of civic responsibility [1].
WCU demonstrates a strong commitment to community engagement through its strategic focus on regional development and partnerships. The university actively collaborates with local communities, businesses, and organizations to address regional challenges, foster economic growth, and provide educational and cultural opportunities—positioning itself as a leader in service and development across Western North Carolina.[2]
At WCU, employees are encouraged to engage in service through the Community Service Leave program. This initiative further reflects WCU’s broader commitment to civic engagement and its role in promoting the public good.
References
1. Eyler, J. S., & Giles, D. E., Jr. (1999). Where’s the learning in service-learning? San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass
2. Western Carolina University. (2021). Honoring our promise: University strategic plan. Retrieved from https://www.wcu.edu/discover/about/strategic-plan/index.aspx
What is Community Service Leave?
Community Service Leave shall be available to all eligible SPA and EPA employees (permanent full-time and part-time employees with the latter being prorated) to encourage volunteerism in support of North Carolina’s schools, communities, citizens and non-profit organizations. This policy replaces and is in lieu of all previously established leave programs for child development and community involvement.
An eligible employee shall be awarded twenty-four (24) hours of Community Service Leave annually which may be used for volunteer participation in the programs, services and organizations indicated below, or they may elect to receive an award equivalent to one (1) hour each week that a public school is in session. The latter award is to be used exclusively for mentoring or tutoring students in North Carolina schools.
More information can be found on the following resources:
Community Service Liaison
The Staff Senate Community Service Liaison’s objectives are to:
· Communicate service opportunities to staff senate and beyond
· Track staff senate service hours
· Report on our overall community service goal at each meeting
Julie Mathis (jlmathis@wcu.edu) is our Community Service Liaison for the 25-26 academic year. Please reach out with any questions or ideas for collaborating with Staff Senat
Opportunities to Serve
Volunteer Opportunities vary from month to month. Check out the Staff Senate Events and Upcoming Meetings calendar for volunteer opportunities.
Reporting My Hours
Staff Senate creates an annual goal each year for senator volunteer hours. This year we hope to reach 1000 hours served!
Senators, please report your hours using the form at the top of this page!
**Please note the form at the top of the page is to collect data about the service in which WCU staff senators are engaged. If you are a WCU staff member who has questions about how to use you Community Service Leave, please contact Human Resources at 828.227.7218.**