Mission statement

The goal of Civic & Community Engagement is to promote meaningful and impactful partnerships for students, staff and faculty within the wider Billings community. We aim to achieve this by developing student-centered initiatives that foster civic pride, stewardship and sustainability. 

Community Engagement works closely with a diverse range of organizations. As a result, we can match you with an engagement opportunity that suits your needs and goals. Come and be part of the community-driven social change happening at Montana State University Billings. 

Without the support of our communities, no institution of higher education can thrive

Links

Awards and Scholarships

Community Resources

Democracy and Observance

Food Insecurity

Service Learning Support

Student-led Groups

Volunteer Projects and Services

Volunteer Projects and Services

Whether you're looking to meet like-minded people or gain work experience in the non-profit sector, we can find the right opportunity for you at Montana State University Billings. Check out our active volunteer programs and services.

 

Service Sting

Service Sting. Submit your volunteer hours. Leaderboard and prizes
Online tracking tool and leader board platform for volunteer and service hours. Submit your high scores for woot! (sweet loot)

Virtual Volunteer

Virtual volunteer
Connect to a global community. Find out how you can make a difference from the comfort of your own home

 

Night on the Van

Night on the Van Volunteer Serving Meals 4:45-6:30pm www.msubillings.edu/community
In partnership with the Salvation Army, help deliver hot meals to those in need within the Billings community.

Vitalant Blood Drives

MSUB BLOOD DRIVE SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL HOSPITAL DONATE BLOOD TODAY BOOK ONLINE
Blood donations can save people's lives. Learn how blood donations help, what to expect, and book your appointment today. Check master calendar for next drive

Yellowjacket Reserves

YELLOWJACKET RESERVES NEW VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES SIGN UP TODAY
Sign up for fortnightly volunteer, service, news and funding opportunities.

Food Insecurity

One of the core functions of Community Engagement is to address food poverty within the Montana State University Billings community. We run multiple food drives throughout the year aimed at supporting the Yellowjacket Emergency Pantry, our student-focused food service, or local community partners, such as Family Service and the Salvation Army.

Yellowjacket Emergency Pantry (YEP)

YELLOWJACKET EMERGENCY PANTRY OFFERING FOOD, HYGIENE AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO STUDENTS IN NEED LOCATIONS AVAILABLE AT UNIVERSITY CAMPUS SUB 219 AND CITY COLLEGE TECH COMMONS
Student-focused food insecurity service offering non-perishables, hygiene and school supplies. Locations at University Campus and City College.

 

Halloween Food Drive

MSUB HALLOWEEN FOOD DRIVE ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY IN THE BILLINGS COMMUNITY SUB ATRIUM OCTOBER 31ST 5:30-7:00PM MORE INFO ENGAGEMENT@MSUBILLINGS.EDU
Annual Halloween-themed food drive in which volunteers collect non-perishable food items for the YEP from local neighborhoods. Fancy dress highly recommended.

Holiday Meal Box

MSUB HOLIDAY MEAL BOXES IF YOU OR A MSUB STUDENT YOU KNOW WOULD BENEFIT FROM A FOOD PARCEL PACKED FULL OF THANKSGIVING MEAL INGREDIENTS, REGISTER ONLINE TODAY! MSUBILLINGS.EDU/ENGAGEMENT
Community outreach program aimed at providing MSUB students and families Thanksgiving food packages over the holiday period. Sign up to participate in the Holiday Meal Boxes!

Student-led Groups

Looking to develop your own volunteer group or service project? We can help you design an original project or connect you with an existing volunteering group to help maximize the impact you can make in our community.

Student United Way (SUW)

Student United Way Get Involved msubillings.edu/community
Student-led organization representing the next generation of community leaders. Focused on volunteerism in education, financial stability and health. Get involved in your community!

 

Previous events

Angel Tree

ANGEL TREE BRING HAPPINESS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON MSUBILLINGS.EDU/ENGAGEMENT
Family assistance program aimed at providing gifts to children during the holiday season. Grab a tag, pick a gift and drop it off. It's that simple!

Jackets from Jackets

MSU-Billings presents Jackets from Jackets Donations will do to Billings Public Schools and the Salvation Army Drop donations in the student union building room 219
Supporting school-aged children from SD2 with clothing during the winter break. Drop off your donations to SUB Room 219.

World Kindness Day

WORLD KINDNESS DAY MAKE PB&J FEED OUR COMMUNITY NOVEMBER 13 MSUBILLINGS.EDU/ENGAGEMENT
World Kindness Day event to make PB&J sandwiches for local community non-profits. Previous years have included, Tumbleweed, The HUB, Family Service, Salvation Army.

Democracy and Observance

Building citizenship and social responsibility through programs focused on membership, problem solving and observance. Each program acknowledges the importance of life, liberty, freedom and prosperity.

 

Student Voter Registration

Exercise your right to vote
Educate yourself on voter registration, party candidates and democratic engagement events on and off campus. Apply to become a Campus Election Engagement Project (CEEP) Fellow and play a key role in fostering civic responsibility at MSU Billings.

Democratic Engagement Plan 2020

Campus election enegagement project register volunteer vote
The MSUB Democratic Engagement Plan is our commitment to civic-based activities on and off campus. The goal is to educate students on voter registration, foster a positive culture of voter engagement and create life long habits of civic involvement in our democracy. Download the MSUB Democratic Engagement Plan.

Constitution Day (9/17)

Constitution Day September 17th msubillings.edu/community Campus Election Engagement Project

Join us for Constitution Day as we engage the campus with virtual and in-person democratic activities. This year, we are will be streaming film 'One Vote' online.

9/11 Virtual Memorial Ceremony

9/11 Remembrance Virtual Ceremony at City College
MSU Billings and our community partners wish to preserve and impart these lessons to the next generation of Montanans: Remember, Reflect, Educate and Dedicate. Attend the ceremony in-person or online.

MLK Day Virtual Ceremony (1/18)

MLK DAY VIRTUAL CEREMONY JANUARY 18 2021 9AM MSUBILLINGS.EDU/COMMUNITY
Commemorating the life of Martin Luther King Jr. with a bell ringing ceremony. The ringing of the bell symbolizes the quest for peace, justice, human rights, and social and economic progress for all people.

Community Resources

Useful links and community engagement resources from local, state and regional partners.

Featured Community Partner

Featured Community Partner
Each semester, MSU Billings is proud to showcase a local community partner that promotes civic responsibility, fosters inclusion and champions diversity.

 

Community Partners & Non-profits

Looking for a community partner or nonprofit? As of 2020, MSU Billings has over 80 non-profit partners in the local community. Email the Center for Engagement for more details.

Montana Campus Compact (MTCC)

Promoting partnerships through work-study opportunities, service learning and civic engagement. Part of the wider Campus Compact network.

United Way of Yellowstone County

Community-building organization focused on improving the lives of people through inclusiveness and diversity. Coordinates Disaster Response events and volunteers.

Awards and Scholarships

Awards and scholarship opportunities for service to civic and community engagement

 

Elephas Civic Leadership Award

Interested in gaining experience of working in your local community? Or are you looking to address an unmet social need? Apply today for our civic and community engagement-based scholarship award. Let us help you to become a civically engaged citizen at MSU Billings. Multiple awards and amounts available; eligibility criteria apply. Click here for more information.

9/11 Memorial Scholarship Award

9/11 memorial scholarship 2020/21

Formally, First Responder Award: $500 scholarships available for students registered for classes in Fire Science, Para-medicine or Criminal Justice at City College. Deadline: 11/20/2020

George M. Dennison Civic Engagement Scholarship

The award recognizes students at Montana Campus Compact affiliate campuses who have volunteered significant time, energy and resources in their communities. Submit applications here:

Montana Athletes in Service Award

Each winner will be recognized at a campus or home sporting event and presented with a certificate signed by their college president. Submit nominations here:

Montana Student Volunteer Award

Each winner will be recognized at a campus or home sponsoring event and presented with a certificate signed by Governor Bullock and their college president. Submit nominations here:

Newman Civic Fellowship Award

Recognizes and supports community-committed students who are change makers and public problem-solvers at Campus Compact member institutions. Submit applications here:

Service Learning Support

Civic engagement project and course information for the First Year Experience (A&SC 111) and Leadership (A&SC 298) seminar classes.

 

First Year Seminar (A&SC 111)

General course overview information, learning outcomes and program structure. Download a copy of the civic engagement project list. Contains project descriptions, dates/times, locations and sign-up instructions

Leadership (A&SC 298)

General course overview information, learning outcomes and program structure. Download syllabus and contact information document.