CommUNITY Partner Program

The CommUNITY Partner Program ( CPP) pledges to create an inclusive network of community leaders that utilize innovative collaboration through reciprocal, mutually beneficial relationships to meet community needs, locally and globally. The CPP commits to support community leaders' engagement and partnerships through employing university and community resources to realize West Virginia University's land grant mission of advancing education, healthcare, and prosperity for all.

Our University carries out its land grant mission in improving outcomes for the state through the active engagement of students, faculty and the greater community. Community partnerships are reciprocal and members effectively carry out their role as co-educators of students.

Through the CPP, the CCE facilitates connections to organizations that meet community needs and engage students through meaningful and intentional service. In support of mutually beneficial experiences, we strive to connect our partners to campus resources that go beyond volunteerism, including professional development and networking opportunities.

Next Steps

If your organization is not part of our CommUNITY Partner Program, you should contact us! Community Partner Coordinator, Whitney Glotfelty, is happy to talk with you about the program and explore opportunities to collaborate. Contact her by email at whitney.glotfelty@mail.wvu.edu.

Requirements for the CommUNITY Partner Program

• A commitment to play an active role as a co-educator of WVU students.

• Partners will be asked to meet or talk with our Community Partner Coordinator about your organization’s goals as well as complete a Memorandum of Understanding before entering into official partnership with the CCE. There is no cost.

• Attend a new CCE Partner training session to learn how to use iServe effectively, access partner benefits, engage service-learning students from academic courses, and make the most of your partnership. If you cannot make a session, alternate arrangements can be made.

• Ensure safe and supervised volunteer placements that contribute to student learning, development, and civic engagement.

• Provide orientation to your organization's mission and the population being served so volunteers understand the value of their service.

• Convey important policies and behavior expectations before service begins. Ensure volunteers have adequate training and someone to approach with questions to successfully complete tasks.

• Maintain communication with the CCE regarding contact changes, or any concerns that arise related to a service experience.

• Agree to use the iServe volunteer management platform. Encourage all WVU community members to log hours on the system as this data is extremely valuable to the CCE and to you as a partner.

• Approval or denial of service hours submitted by students is generally expected to be completed within 5 business days. The CCE strongly recommends that WVU volunteers sign in and out at your site to help provide accurate records of their service; or that you use iServe's electronic check-in feature.

• In the spirit of a reciprocal partnership, support our Center by participating in occasional networking events, special trainings, promotional events on campus and special days of service.

• Support the CCE in data collection by completing occasional surveys and assessments when requested.

• Partners who opt to work with service-learning class groups may be asked to participate in student grading for some courses. We view our community partners as “community educators” and want you to know that your evaluation of student performance, attitude, and attendance can potentially play an integral part in the student’s semester grade. You are considered the co-educator while students are serving out of the classroom!

• Participation in service-learning courses requires submission of evaluation and contracts by particular due dates as the academic calendar at WVU dictates much of the student project and participation schedules. Please adhere to due dates.

• Volunteer placements must adhere to WVU Board of Governors Policy 44: West Virginia University is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture by promoting diversity, inclusion, equality, and intercultural and intercommunity outreach. Accordingly, the University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, marital or family status, pregnancy, veteran status, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, or gender expression in the administration of any of its educational programs, activities, or with respect to admission or employment.