Join UC Serves on May 17 for a day of meaningful outreach
UC staff and faculty volunteers can now register for the sixth annual UC Serves event
Event Information (passed)
As spring approaches, Universtiy of Cincinnati employees look forward to rolling up their sleeves and spending the day giving back to the community. This year’s UC Serves event will be on Friday, May 17, with online registration now open.
For the past five years, UC Serves has been a day when staff and faculty have successfully shared in the common experience of intentional, focused service to the communities surrounding UC campuses.
In the same fashion as the annual “Into the Streets” service day for students, UC Serves offers staff the chance to give back to the community while building a stronger network of colleagues on campus through shared experience.
“We invite all staff and faculty to come and volunteer,” says Hannah Williamson, educational advisor in UC’s Learning Commons office and the chair of this year’s UC Serves event. “There’s something for everyone — from carpentry to clerical support, working with kids and animals to gardening, landscaping and homebuilding.
“We want you to come share your gifts while connecting with both colleagues and neighbors.”
Mud, sweat and volunteers
Hard working landscapers stand proudly after removing weeds and brush at a restoration site.
To participate in the day of Bearcat pride, UC Serves registration provides a list of more than 40 different service options to choose from in the UC volunteer portal — complete with a Google map and details about each project.
Volunteers can sign up based the project, the location or the organization — whatever speaks to you.
Happy UC Servers take a break during a day of painting to enjoy some donated goodies by local restaurants.
“UC Serves has been a wonderful way for staff and faculty to lead by example as role models to our students in service to the community,” says Fran Larkin, director of UC’s Center for Community Engagement.
Last year more than 400 staff and faculty volunteered during UC Serves, totaling nearly 3,100 hours at more than 40 nonprofit programs in communities surrounding UC.
As part of the day, hungry helpers are provided with free lunches by locally owned restaurants around Cincinnati. Past restaurants included Currito, Eli’s BBQ, Piada Italian, Fortune Noodle House, Injoy, O’Bryon’s Bar & Grill and more.
Meaningful interactions
“[UC Serves] is a hallmark for UC’s Next Lives Here strategic direction for making an urban impact, enhancing community-wide partnerships and investing in faculty and staff development,” shares Larkin.
The event provides the opportunity for university staff to meet and develop new relationships that lead to a more meaningful connection to campus and greater Cincinnati, Larkin adds. This impact is felt both physically and mentally.
UC volunteers shared talented carpentry skills to build a local elementary school greenhouse.
Last year, UC Serves volunteers assembled a garden greenhouse from the ground up at a local elementary school.
"Our site manager said the greenhouse would not have been built if it were not for our team being there that day," says Ryan White, associate professor of UC chemistry, electrical engineering and computer science, after the event. "We worked really well together, and it was very rewarding to make that kind of impact on the community while also getting to know colleagues from across UC’s campuses."
Being part of an institutional culture of service, volunteers say, has its rewards, and staff and faculty learn plenty by giving back.
“I used to rehab homes with a good friend who taught me the ropes, so joining the team for the Habitat for Humanity build was a no-brainer,” says Mike Mitchum, interim director of UCIT’s technology team and part of the 2018 team. “It was great to get out of the office and put those skills to work to help a deserving family build their home, and I will return to the site to help out again.”
Throughout the day, volunteers enjoy teaming up with new faces from all over campus. Department heads, deans, UC vice presidents and faculty all join in with staff for a day of hard work. Those who have volunteered in the past seem to agree: Everyone goes home tired but happy.
Register for the sixth annual UC Serves day on May 17
- UC Serves is co-sponsored by UC Emerging Leaders in Student Affairs and UC’s Center for Community Engagement.
Featured image at top: UC Serves volunteers cleared brush and planted trees at a local restoration site on UC Serves Day 2018. photo/Joseph Fuqua II/UC Creative Services
Happy UC staff volunteers demonstrate the UC gesture on center court at Cincinnati's John P. Parker Elementary School.
Proud and exhausted UC volunteers stand together after an exciting day working with children at a local CPS school on UC Serves Day 2018.
Community engagement
The collaboration between the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Public Schools and the Tristate communities reflect a strong urban impact as part of UC’s Next Lives Here strategic direction.
Related Stories
UC inventor of Benadryl receives national honors
September 11, 2025
The American Chemical Society recognized UC chemist George Rieveschl's discovery of Benadryl on the Chemistry Department's 150th anniversary. The group named Benadryl a national historic chemical landmark.
UC allergist receives $300,000 grant to research rare esophageal...
September 11, 2025
A University of Cincinnati researcher has received a three-year, $300,000 grant from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology to investigate the underlying causes of eosinophilic esophagitis and potential new treatments.
Kamal Pohar, MD, named inaugural chair of UC College of...
September 11, 2025
Renowned urologic oncologist Kamal Pohar, MD, has been appointed inaugural chair of the UC College of Medicine's Department of Urology, bringing expertise in bladder cancer, clinical trials and innovative research.