Community Engagement and Service
At Buena Vista University, our motto is "Education for Service," and we live out this spirit every day. Beavers are a force for good and contribute tens of thousands of service hours every year! There’s a mission of service that runs through everything we do. We connect and engage with our community to make a difference!
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BVU provides students with intentionally diverse and purposeful experiences for civic learning, so you they become active and productive citizens. Local, regional, national, and international volunteer opportunities help students realize the importance of civic responsibility and engagement.
In Your Community
Prepare to make a difference in your community. Connect knowledge and skills from your area of study to participation in civic life!
Become a Leader
Here you’ll develop team leadership skills that will help you go far in life! Make goals and build on your strengths.
Learn About Yourself
Your work in civic engagement activities teaches you about your own values and civic identity!
Buenafication Day
Buenafication Day is BVU's annual day of service, and one of our most beloved traditions. On this day, classes on our Storm Lake campus are not scheduled and all Beavers give back to their communities.
Students serve their community either by doing work on campus, or going out into the community. The afternoon involves "BVU Against Hunger," a service project based on meeting a community need. There is also traditional evening entertainment, and smiling faces can be seen all over the community during this day of service.
AmeriCorps
BVU is proud to be a host for AmeriCorps through the Iowa Campus Compact! The program supports Iowa colleges and universities in their capacity to co-create solutions to community issues. College student AmeriCorps members serve by building campus-community partnerships and implementing institutional Civic Action Plans.
Being a part of the College AmeriCorps Program is a special honor. Volunteers who complete the program develop skills in leadership, communication, emergency preparedness and more—and also are awarded with an education stipend.
Education for Service Scholarships: First-generation students can receive a full-tuition award to attend BVU based on their academic achievements and service-oriented work. Learn More
BV Buddies
BV Buddies, a student-led mentoring program, pairs a Beaver with a student at Storm Lake Middle School for the entire academic year. Together they engage in positive activities such as helping with homework, arts and crafts, cooking, games, and sporting activities.
By meeting for just an hour per week, BVU students create positive, mentoring relationships with younger members of the Storm Lake community.
Student MOVE
Student MOVE (Mobilizing Outreach & Volunteer Efforts) is a student-led organization dedicated to engagement and service! Members coordinate service programs and events that focus on direct service, education, and reflection.
Through service, Student MOVE strengthens the connection between the Storm Lake and BVU communities by enhancing civic engagement and improving lives. These experiences provide BVU students with an amazing pathway to self-discovery!
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We can't wait to tell you about involvement opportunities at BVU!
