Service Learning & Volunteering | Academics & Service

A Legacy of Service at TLU

Texas Lutheran University has a long-standing tradition of fostering a culture of volunteerism and community engagement. In 1998, the university’s mission statement was officially updated to include the following: “The university encourages students to participate in service work tied to reflective discussion about its place in their lives.”

By the early 2000s, the TLU Strategic Plan called for the creation of a dedicated center to coordinate service-learning opportunities and help students process their experiences through intentional reflection. In response to this vision, the Center for Servant Leadership (CSL) was established in 2004.

When TLU President Jon Moline retired, the Board of Regents honored his legacy by raising over $500,000 to endow the center, which was renamed the Jon & Sandra Moline Center for Servant Leadership (CSL).

Today, the university’s mission continues to reflect this commitment: “In pursuit of a more just world, TLU is committed to academic excellence, servant leadership, and career development.”

The CSL continues to thrive as a vital part of the TLU experience, encouraging student participation in meaningful community engagement that cultivates a lifelong commitment to servant leadership beyond the campus.

Our students are working to make a difference in their community to not only enrich the lives of those who participate, but as a way to network and make lasting connections.

At TLU, faculty and staff work with the Center for Servant Leadership to design service and civic engagement projects to invigorate learning about community, personal civic identity, and the strengths of both academic and community knowledge. All questions or interests in service learning can be directed to volunteer@tlu.edu.

Ongoing Opportunities

Annual Service Days

Since 2006, TLU has hosted two annual service days: H.O.T. Dogs in the fall and spring semesters. Typically, more than 300 students, faculty, and staff volunteers go out into the Seguin community and serve with local nonprofits.
Community Engagement

Long-Term Community Partners

While TLU has many strong ties to local organizations, there are several long-term community partners our campus works with on a regular basis.

Those groups include Teatro de Artes de Juan Seguin, Eden Cross, Guadalupe Valley Habitat for Humanity, Seguin ISD, West End Neighborhood Project, Community Forum and MOVE Texas.

CSL Student Leaders

CSL student leaders assist faculty members with civic engagement classes, including communicating with community partners and assisting with tracking student engagement at their service sites.

Additionally, they serve as liaisons between the university and community. Each of the student leaders on the CSL team work our long-term partners in the Seguin community on volunteer recruitment, project logistics, and student reflections. They also support annual events like H.O.T. Dogs Day of Service, Day of the Dogs, Fair Trade Fair, CSL Volunteer Fair, WELCA Ingathering, etc.
Service Learning Courses

At TLU, our general education curriculum requires all students to take three courses that have been designated as an Engaged Citizenship (Z) competency.
Water to Thrive

Water to Thrive works to bring clean, safe water to those in rural Africa. In partnership with the local community, TLU’s Water to Thrive student club holds an annual auction and dinner to raise money for wells. The student club is working on raising funds to build its 10^th well. Visit the Water to Thrive website to learn more or donate.

How To Volunteer

For volunteering opportunities and tracking hours, click the link below.

Login in using single sign-in with Texas Lutheran University email.

GivePulse Site

Work With Us!

Are you interested in serving your community and TLU? Work in a student leader role as a CSL Student Coordinator! The coordinator works with local community partner on projects and ensures volunteers track hours. The coordinator work hours are flexible, pay starts above minimum wage and additional hiring incentives. volunteer@tlu.edu if you are interested in applying.