Service learning reflects the mission of USD, which embraces the Catholic moral and social tradition by its commitment to serve with compassion, to foster peace and to work for justice, and prepare leaders dedicated to ethical conduct and compassionate service. Through service, the Center for Community Service-Learning engages USD students, faculty, staff, and alumni to learn in partnership with the community, and make life-long commitments to promote social change and justice. Our programs include course-based service-learning, student run co-curricular service, Youth to College work-study tutoring, and a campus-wide Social Issues Committee which sponsors an annual conference as well as speakers and special events. All projects and programs depend on student leadership.

Our immediate community, Linda Vista, offers a wide array of opportunities for involvement at over 20 sites. A fascinating community where over 24 languages are spoken in a 4-mile area, opportunities include community organizing, service in schools and after school programs, enrichment and tutoring, and preparing students for college.

Throughout San Diego, USD students participate in programs to assist detainees in Juvenile Hall, migrant workers, new immigrants including refugees from the civil war in Sudan and persons who are homeless.

These many opportunities open the doors to understanding of different cultures and pressing social issues facing our region.

By crossing the international border only 20 miles away, students can see firsthand the impact of globalization, migration, and the disparities in standard of living between the “first” world and the “third” world. These lessons apply to the entire international context and provide personal experience for issues addressed in many academic areas.