All undergraduate first-degree, re-admitted and transfer students must earn 15 community service hours per semester enrolled as full-time students. Part-time at North Carolina Central University is prorated for each semester the student is registered as a part-time student as part of the graduation requirement. Learn more about the university's requirements.
Student hours must be documented and approved in Get Connected for verification of their academic community engagement requirement.
Since 1996, NCCU’S Office of Community Engagement and Service (OCES) has been supporting Durham Public Schools and the community through the America READS program. In August 1996, President Clinton proposed a national literacy campaign that would enlist “one million volunteer tutors ready and able to give children the personal attention they need to catch up and get ahead.” The federal government would play a crucial but limited role as a catalyst in building the President’s “citizen army” of reading tutors that sponsors college students to serve as reading tutors for at-risk children in the local community.
The goal is to have every child read on grade level by the end of the third grade. It currently serves five Durham Public Schools surrounding the university, referred to as the “Eagle Village” schools. America READS tutors serve at least 8–10 hours a week at local elementary schools, working individually with children in reading and language arts under the supervision of a teacher.
In the past, AmeriCorps VISTA and AmeriCorps Members served as the America READS coordinator for OCES. Currently, graduate students serve as America READS coordinators. Through their efforts, the America READS program continues to provide student support to enhance the reading skills of K–third graders by supporting the process in which children learn. It is devoted to improving literacy and educational outcomes for children by recruiting and training college students in providing literacy tutoring for organizations in the Eagle Village community.
America READS “The Power of Reading”
In the spirit of Homecoming week, “The Power of Reading” activity was supported by students, staff and administrators and amplified the University’s motto “Truth and Service." It was sponsored by NCCU's Office of Community Engagement and Service to read to area elementary school children.
America READS “Read-a-thon”
In honor of the National Literacy Awareness Week, America READS at NCCU designated an annual “READ-a-thon” where students, faculty, staff, and community organizations come together and share the joy of reading. Elementary children from Durham Public Schools learn about literacy and participate in this fun activity.
America READS “Book Drive”
America READS sponsored a book drive across NCCU’s campus and donated 340 books to the R. N. Harris elementary school as part of the NC Department of Public Instruction’s statewide initiative, "Take Five, Read Five." Students were provided books to take home over the summer to continue reading and staying on level.
The America READS program is seeking interested work-study and volunteer students to serve as tutors. Your responsibilities as an America READS tutor would include the following:
The America READS program accepts all students, both undergraduate and graduate. A student must commit to 8–10 hours per week to the America READS program and the children in Durham Public Schools. Student volunteers will earn an hour per hour of tutoring with the America READS Program. If you are eligible for work-study approved by NCCU’s Financial Aid office, undergraduate students are compensated at $8 per hour, and graduate students are compensated at $10 per hour.
If interested, please complete and submit the America READS student application below. Upon completion, your application will be reviewed, and you will receive an email to set up an interview. The student is required to complete and submit a background check through the Durham Public Schools volunteer link: https://www.dpsnc.net/domain/133.
Your start date will depend on background clearance.
For more information, contact Ruby Messick at [email protected] or 919-475-2367.
America READS Student Application
The Alternative Break program, supported by the Office of Community Engagement and Service, seeks to give NCCU students the opportunity to participate in transformative community engagement projects for communities most in need from a social justice framework. NCCU students will have access to alternative break opportunities on the local, state, national and international levels. Past initiatives have focused on social issues such as homelessness, human trafficking, disaster relief and much more.
The MLK Day of Service is one of the most significant service-day events in the Triangle area. We host over 750 NCCU students, local area schools and the Durham community. Each year, we work with local non-profits to identify and support the community's needs with tangible items that are provided directly to those in need.
North Carolina Central University values and respects the efforts and impact our students, staff, faculty and community demonstrate throughout the year. Awards are given to those who have demonstrated leadership qualities of compassion, service and empathy in our communities. By allowing NCCU to share your commitment and dedication to social issues and causes of the community, the qualities that lead to making a difference as "change makers" are demonstrated.
Through our membership with the North Carolina Campus Engagement organization, the following awards are supported:
Community Impact Student Awards recognize an outstanding, full-time undergraduate or graduate student service leader from each member campus. Impact Award recipients should demonstrate commitment to partnering with others to address community issues, the ability to lead and inspire fellow students and a sustainable impact in their area of work. Each member campus selects its own Impact Award recipient.
The Barnhill Civic Trailblazer Award is given to one statewide network member. Nominees — one per campus — must be undergraduate students in their final year. The Civic Trailblazer should demonstrate innovation in civic engagement, work to integrate their service into campus structures, inspire others to serve and make a meaningful impact on campus or in the community.
The Marshall Alternative Break Scholarship will fund a student's participation in an alternative break trip during the current academic year. The selection of scholarship recipients is a competitive process. Any student from an NC Campus Engagement member institution is eligible to apply.
For graduating seniors at North Carolina Central University, the following award is available:
Graduating students at NCCU can apply for the Service Impact Award, which honors graduating seniors who have fulfilled a minimum of 250 hours of community-engaged service and who have made an impact in the community. The undergraduate student must submit an engagement portfolio with acknowledgment letters from the community organization as well as an NCCU faculty or staff member and a reflection.
Please inquire with the graduate and the professional staff regarding the selection process in your respective areas. All selected students will be recognized in the graduation program and receive a service honor cord.
The Office for Community Engagement and Service advertises employment opportunities for community and civic engagement within our department. Please check this page each semester to see what new opportunities are available for eligible students.