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Service Learning Awards

Service Learning is a high‐impact college experience and part of our university's Community Engagement initiative.

To recognize outstanding efforts by our members of our USC Upstate community, each year the Office of Service Learning and Community Engagement, in cooperation with the Office of the Provost, offers several awards each year to students, faculty, and staff who demonstrate superior commitment to Service Learning and Community Engagement.

Annual Deadlines

Faculty/Staff Application
Student / Community Partner Nomination

 March 15
Student Application April 1
Celebration Thursday of Finals Week
Location Administration Building Lobby

General Information

Each award includes a cash prize. Awards will be contingent on quality of application and available funds; therefore, some awards may be presented to multiple recipients, while other awards may not be presented. While preference is given to first‐time awardees, previous winners are encouraged to reapply, particularly with new project/program developments. Outstanding applicants may be awarded in more than one category. For detailed information on eligibility, decision criteria, and the application process for each award, click on the award title below. Send questions and comments to ServiceLearning@uscupstate.edu.

Underclassman Excellence in Service Learning Leadership - $100

Award Amount:

  • $100

Eligibility:

  • Freshman or Sophomore standing
  • Enrolled student, in good standing, at USC Upstate
  • Completed at least one full semester (12 hours) at USC Upstate
  • Earned, or currently earning, an "A" in at least one USC Upstate Service Learning course
  • Self‐nominations are accepted, pending support from at least one of your Service Learning instructors

Nomination Procedure:

  • Online Nomination Form (nominees will be invited to apply)
  • Self‐nominations are welcome. Simply complete the application procedure

Application Procedure:

  • Online Reflective Personal Statement describing your impact through service and the service experience's impact on you (~200 words, please)
  • At least one Statement of Support from the instructor of record of an SL designated course you have taken – e.g. UNIV 101‐ SL
    - Statements of Support may be emailed to ServiceLearning@uscupstate.edu, mailed via Campus Mail or USPS to OSLCE, USC Upstate, CLC 203, Spartanburg, SC 29303, or completed online: share this link with your Recommender: Faculty Support Statement Form
  • Additional materials are welcome via email or surface mail
  • Application materials (including statements of support) must be submitted by the Application Date to be considered

Decision Criteria:

  • Number of Service‐Learning courses taken
  • Positive and sustained community impact with, and beyond, Service‐Learning
  • Proactive and meaningful accomplishment and professionalism with specific community partner(s)
  • Excellence in critical thinking and quality reflection AND leading others into action both on and or off campus
  • Instructor recommendation from the instructor of at least one Service‐Learning course taken
  • Institutional GPA OR GPA in the preceding 6 months (applicant's choice)
  • Preference given to first‐time awardees
Upperclassman Excellence in Service Learning Leadership - $100

Award Amount:

  • $100

Eligibility:

  • Junior or Senior standing
  • Enrolled student, in good standing, at USC Upstate
  • Completed at least two full semesters (24 hours) at USC Upstate
  • Earned, or currently earning, an "A" in at least one USC Upstate Service Learning course
  • Self‐nominations are accepted, pending support from at least one of your Service Learning instructors

Nomination Procedure:

  • Online Nomination Form (nominees will be invited to apply)
  • Self‐nominations are welcome. Simply complete the application procedure

Application Procedure:

  • Online Reflective Personal Statement describing your impact through service and the service experience's impact on you (~300 words, please)
  • At least one Statement of Support from the instructor of record of an SL designated course you have taken – e.g. UNIV 101‐ SL
    - Statements of Support may be emailed to ServiceLearning@uscupstate.edu, mailed via Campus Mail or USPS to OSLCE, USC Upstate, CLC 203, Spartanburg, SC 29303, or completed online: share this link with your Recommender: Faculty Support Statement Form
  • Additional materials are welcome via email or surface mail
  • Application materials (including statements of support) must be submitted by the Application Date to be considered

Decision Criteria:

  • Number of Service‐Learning courses taken
  • Positive and sustained community impact with, and beyond, Service‐Learning
  • Proactive and meaningful accomplishment and professionalism with specific community partner(s)
  • Excellence in critical thinking and quality reflection AND leading others into action both on and or off campus
  • Instructor recommendation from the instructor of at least one Service‐Learning course taken
  • Institutional GPA OR GPA in the preceding 12 months (applicant's choice)
  • Preference given to first‐time awardees
Graduate Student Excellence in Service Learning Leadership - $100

Award Amount:

  • $100

Eligibility:

  • Graduate student standing
  • Enrolled student, in good standing, at USC Upstate
  • Completed at least two graduate courses (6 hours) at USC Upstate
  • Earned, or currently earning, an "A" in at least one USC Upstate Service‐Learning course
  • Self‐nominations are accepted, pending support from at least one of your Service Learning instructors

Nomination Procedure:

  • Online Nomination Form (nominees will be invited to apply)
  • Self‐nominations are welcome. Simply complete the application procedure

Application Procedure:

  • Online Reflective Personal Statement describing your impact through service and the service experience's impact on you (~400 words, please)
  • At least one Statement of Support from the instructor of record of an SL designated course you have taken – e.g. UNIV 601‐ SL
    - Statements of Support may be emailed to ServiceLearning@uscupstate.edu, mailed via Campus Mail or USPS to OSLCE, USC Upstate, CLC 203, Spartanburg, SC 29303, or completed online: share this link with your Recommender: Faculty Support Statement Form
  • Additional materials are welcome via email or surface mail
  • Application materials (including statements of support) must be submitted by the Application Date to be considered

Decision Criteria:

  • Number of Service‐Learning courses taken
  • Positive and sustained community impact with, and beyond, Service‐Learning
  • Proactive and meaningful accomplishment and professionalism with specific community partner(s)Proactive and meaningful accomplishment and professionalism with specific community partner(s)
  • Excellence in critical thinking and quality reflection AND leading others into action both on and or off campus
  • Instructor recommendation from the instructor of at least one Service‐Learning course taken
  • Institutional GPA OR GPA in the preceding 12 months (applicant's choice)
  • Preference given to first‐time awardees
Student Excellence in Service Learning: Research or Creative Project - $200

Award Amount:

  • $200

Eligibility:

  • Enrolled student, in good standing, at USC Upstate
  • Self‐nominations are accepted, pending support from at least one of your Service Learning instructors/faculty co‐author
  • At least one published paper or creative work relating to service‐learning &/or community-engaged scholarship done at USC Upstate (including Upstate Symposium Proceedings, Upstate Research Journal, and Writer's Inc) or in another academic venue. 

Nomination Procedure:

  • Online Nomination Form (nominees will be invited to apply)
  • Self‐nominations are welcome. Simply complete the application procedure

Application Procedure:

  • Online Reflective Personal Statement  describing your volunteer engagement in community Please include any connections to USC Upstate
  • At least one Statement of Support from a community partner, colleague, or other stakeholder required.
    - Statements of Support may be emailed to ServiceLearning@uscupstate.edu, mailed via Campus Mail or USPS to OSLCE, USC Upstate, CLC 203, Spartanburg, SC 29303, or completed online: share this link with your Recommender: Faculty Support Statement Form
  • Copy of Service Learning artifact (paper, artwork &/or description of artifact with commentary)
  • Additional materials are welcome via email or surface mail
  • Application materials (including statements of support) must be submitted by the Application Date to be considered

Decision Criteria:

  • Sustained and meaningful volunteer efforts including service off‐campus
  • Positive ambassador for USC Upstate in the community and bridge between USC Upstate and our community
  • Contribution to recruiting or encouraging volunteerism in others both on and off campus
  • Supports collaboration among stakeholders and/or demonstrates organizational leadership
  • Preference given to first‐time awardees
Student Service to Marginalized or Displaced Populations - $200

Award Amount:

  • $200

Eligibility:

  • Enrolled student, in good standing, at USC Upstate
  • Documented research &/or service work pertaining to refugees, asylum seekers, or other displaced populations
  • Self‐nominations are accepted, pending support from at least one of your Upstate instructors

Nomination Procedure:

  • Self‐nominations are welcome. Simply complete the application procedure

Application Procedure:

  • At least one Statement of Support from an Upstate faculty or staff member, community partner, or other stakeholder
    - Statements of Support may be emailed to ServiceLearning@uscupstate.edu, mailed via Campus Mail, or USPS to OSLCE, USC Upstate, CLC 203, Spartanburg, SC 29303, or completed online: share this link with your Recommender: Faculty Support Statement Form
  • Copy of documentation demonstrating your research &/or service to displaced persons
  • Additional materials are welcome via email or surface mail
  • Application materials (including statements of support) must be submitted by the Application Date to be considered

Decision Criteria:

  • Sustained and meaningful efforts including impact off‐campus
  • Positive ambassador for USC Upstate in the community and bridge between USC Upstate and our community
  • Preference given to first‐time awardees