Tougaloo College contributes to the social, health and educational needs of the local, state, national and global communities through its programs of community service and service learning. Our students learn to lead and serve not only from the curriculum, but from the community services that they render.

The Office of Community Service:

• Promotes and recruits Tougaloo faculty in the experience
• Recruits community based organizations to participate in community service projects
• Centralizes the Tougaloo College community service program
• Encourages Tougaloo College students, faculty and staff to increase their level of service to the community

Community Service at Tougaloo College
Sixty hours of community service is required for graduation. This service is generally performed after completion of the sophomore year and may be met by working at an approved community based organization or by completing a project designed by the student and approved by the Division Dean, Department Chair, and Advisor.

Projects may be performed at any point in the school year or summer. However, students must contact the Office of Community Service to obtain approval to begin work. Service shall not be performed for pay; although some community agencies may assist students with the cost of transportation and other expenses associated with the task.

The project may or may not be in the student’s major, but it must require that the student deal with multi-dimensional problems and situations and use a variety of intellectual resources and interpersonal leadership skills.

The service may be performed in any approved community based agency or organization which seeks to serve the specific needs of the community, while enhancing the student’s development. Students provide community service under the mentorship of an agency or organization representative who certifies and evaluates the service.