OCE Quick Facts
- A non-profit organization established in 1990
- Supported through grants & university dollars
- All services are provided by volunteers
- Collaboration with community is critical
- Services provided meet real community needs
- Promotes civic engagement & service-learning
- 500%+ increase in UMD student participation since 1997
- Over 97% P - 12 children tutored achieved improvements
- Teachers noted increased self-esteem, improved attitudes towards learning, and more timely completion of assignments
- Volunteer opportunities help UMD students complete required hours for teacher education program admission
- Courses which require a service-learning experience are satisfied through the Office of Civic Engagement.
What's Happening
- In 2005 David Beard received a grant from the UMD Office of Civic Engagement. That project developed into a CURA grant, which developed into a 9-12 grade curriculum on the lynching in Duluth.
Listen to this broadcast on KUWS (Wisconsin Public Radio) to see what a difference you can make by engaging with the community. (Here is a shorter broadcast on the subject from WPR- plays in RealPlayer.)
What is the Office of Civic Engagement?
The Office of Civic Engagement, which includes what was formerly known as The Darland Connection, the Darland Intergenerational Program and the Darland Center, is a nonprofit organization created to honor the memory and good works of University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) Chancellors Emeritus Raymond and Jewell Darland.
How to become a volunteer or tutor
If you are interested in volunteering or tutoring, you may begin the process by calling (218) 726-6630 between the hours of 9am-4pm on weekdays.
You will be calling this number to schedule an appointment with an Office of Civic Engagement volunteer coordinator, so please prepare the times you are available for this meeting prior to calling.
The meeting
process is brief and involves completing an application, orientation and placement.
Once you have called us and have spoken with someone to make an appointment, your scheduled meeting will take place at UMD, in Bohannon Hall 209.
How to request a volunteer or tutor
- If you are from a community agency and are looking for volunteers, please fill out a volunteer request form.
- If you are a teacher/parent/counselor interested in setting up a tutor for your student, child or classroom please feel free to use our online tutor request form to request a UMD student tutor.
- If you would like additional information, please contact Casey LaCore at (218) 726-7125 or clacore@d.umn.edu.