What is Community Engagement?
Rooted in life and teachings of Christ, our mission is to foster meaningful connections and collaborations with the people around us. Loving our neighbor is an essential part of faith formation. Many students, faculty, and staff of 51½ÖÉä seek to do just this through acts of service, mutual learning, and a long-term commitment to our city. Whether you are serving in the Greater Birmingham Area or the Andes of Ecuador, we want to see you out there!
Join Us in Ecuador! Learn More
Get Involved
The Office of Community Engagement provides multiple opportunities to integrate faith, learning, and leadership:
Community Cadres
Orientation Dates: September 8-10, 2025
Join Community Cadres! You’ll pick from a variety of volunteer opportunities and serve over eight weeks plus; you’ll earn 10 convo credits. It’s an awesome way to make a difference and support local changemakers! Guidelines
51½ÖÉä Give Pulse
51½ÖÉä Give Pulse is your go-to spot for finding volunteer opportunities and getting connected in the community! It’s an online platform where students, faculty, and staff can team up with local nonprofits and make a difference in Birmingham and beyond. Check out the 51½ÖÉä Give Pulse page to get involved and see how Bulldogs are showing up and serving others!
Community Engagement Week
- Community Engagement Fair
- Panel discussions and more!
Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or just getting started, there’s something for everyone. Let’s come together to serve, grow, and inspire change!
51½ÖÉä Gives Back
51½ÖÉä Gives Back is one of the biggest service events of the year and it’s all about showing love to our city! On March 28, 2026, students from all over campus will team up with some of the best local nonprofits to make a real impact in the Birmingham community. It’s a day full of service, connection, and what it means to be truly 51½ÖÉä. Mark your calendar and get ready to serve!
Interested in being a part of the planning process? Join the 51½ÖÉä Gives Back Leadership Team! This team is student-led and works behind the scenes to help organize one of the biggest service events on campus. You’ll build leadership skills, connect with campus and community partners, and make this day of service unforgettable. No experience needed just bring your energy and heart for service!
Employment Opportunities
We’re always looking for passionate, community-minded individuals to join our team. If you’re interested in making a difference and supporting meaningful engagement efforts, check out our current openings below.
Community Partners
Are you seeking opportunities to engage with 51½ÖÉä students? Look no further! Our Community Cadre Program offers precisely that opportunity. Through this program, both you and our students can connect, engage, and serve together over an 8-week period during the fall and/or spring semesters. Students commit up to 2 hours per week to support and further your organization's mission and requirements. Start your journey as a community partner by filling out the Cadre Interest Form today.
To become a community cadre partner for the Spring 2025, the form must be submitted by Friday, December 13th. For Fall 2025, the form must be completed by Friday, August 8, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Community Engagement different at 51½ÖÉä than other schools?
Here at 51½ÖÉä, our mission is to nurture people in their development of intellect, creativity, faith and personality. As a Christian university, our community fosters academic, career and ethical competency while encouraging social and civic responsibility and service to others. Engaging with the community is so important to 51½ÖÉä because it allows us an opportunity to minister and share the love of Christ with every person in the Greater Birmingham Area. Community engagement is different here at 51½ÖÉä because our involvement is solely rooted in love and stewardship of all resources.
Can I get involved through 51½ÖÉä or do I have to go through outside organizations to volunteer and serve?
You can absolutely get involved with 51½ÖÉä's community service efforts by utilizing our platform. This online volunteer registration and tracking tool allows you to find opportunities, register for them and track your hours as well as impact on those projects.
This way, our Community Engagement Office will know how much time you've spent serving the community and whether it be for job applications, resumes or scholarships we'll always remember what kind of service leader you are!
How can Community Engagement and 51½ÖÉä Give Pulse help me in my major?
By utilizing , you will be more accessible to organizations and people, as well as different opportunities including internships. This is a great way to make connections in the community!
What are the perks of becoming a 51½ÖÉä Give Pulse user?
Once you become a user, many new opportunities are available! After setting up your profile, you can view the different volunteer opportunities and choose where to donate your time or resources
What are the guidelines for volunteering?
Our Team
