Community Partners

Welcome, Community Partners!

Mount Royal University partners with community organizations to offer valuable learning experiences for students and benefit the community.

Community Service Learning (CSL) courses integrate community service into the curriculum, providing hands-on experiences for students across various faculties. These courses typically require students to engage with community partners individually or in groups for a minimum of 2 hours per week over 8-10 weeks during an academic term.

If you're a community partner interested in connecting with MRU, please contact Christian Cook, MRU's Community Service Learning Facilitator, at clcook1@mtroyal.ca or 403.440.8432.

Testimonials

❝Students are good at asking questions, which is really important for any collaboration, they also work fast which is great as well.❞

Institutional Partner

❝ They are inspiring, engaging and brilliant. We have so much to learn from each other.❞

Not-For-Profit Partner

❝If MRU wanted to do this yearly we would welcome it... we are always in need of more help.❞

Small Business Owner

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifies me as a CSL partner?

If you are a nonprofit, public organization, or business with a project serving the greater public, then you can be a community service learning partner. While it is typical to select partners who cater to the Calgary or Albertan community, MRU and its faculty actively endorse a wide range of diverse learning opportunities.

Curious to find out more? Please reach out to Christian Cook, MRU Community Service Learning Facilitator at clcook1@mtroyal.ca.

What qualifies as a CSL project and what is the time commitment?

A community service learning project can be any meaningful project that includes rich experiences for MRU students and substantial benefits for the community. It must provide at least 20 hours of service for each student participating. Students may work in groups or individually to produce the required project outcomes.

Do I need to create special opportunities for CSL to happen in my organization?

No. Community service learning (CSL) projects should seamlessly integrate into your organization to address existing needs. CSL aims for a mutually beneficial partnership. Are there specific needs your team can't address? Maybe you need help implementing a new strategic plan or completing research/quality assurance tasks. These are great opportunities for CSL collaborations. Effective partnerships happen when you understand how CSL learners can contribute to your work, ensuring projects align with your organization’s mission and goals.

Can students do a CSL project for a for-profit business?

When engaging in a community service learning activity with a for-profit entity, it is essential that the activity addresses a recognized community need and does not contribute solely to the organization's profit-oriented initiatives. The opportunity also cannot be paid.

What are my roles and responsibilities as a community partner engaged in CSL?

Community service learning aims for fair partnerships, where the community partner is regarded as an equal voice and a co-educator for students. Yet, we acknowledge that your capacity to participate in the course may be constrained, especially during specific periods due to limited staff and resources. Consequently, the extent and nature of your involvement with community service learners can be adjusted to align with your identified needs. You will work closely with a faculty supervisor to establish these parameters.