University Community Service Center (UCSC) Revenue and Competitors

Founded in 1996 by former First Lady Michelle Obama and part of the Office of Civic Engagement, UCSC serves the University's 5,000 undergraduates and 10,000 graduate and professional school students by engaging them with communities and partners to build a more just Chicago. UCSC's goal is to support students in becoming productive, thoughtful citizens and effective, inspiring leaders by providing students with service opportunities that complement a rigorous academic experience. UCSC encourages students to explore Chicago, to make meaningful connections with diverse communities throughout the city, to develop friendships with other social-minded students, and to apply classroom learning to understand and address complex societal issues. UCSC offers different civic engagement options tailored to student interests: volunteer referrals, student-run groups, campus-wide days of service, a freshmen pre-orientation service week, community-building and social justice programs, tie-ins with course work, and community-based research opportunities and internships at local organizations. These organizations include community nonprofits, hospitals, businesses, and government agencies.