Purdue University North Central has partnered with Indiana Campus Compact (ICC) and the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives (OFBCI) to engage PNC students in a year of service through a new AmeriCorps program, the Service Engagement Corps (SE Corps). 
The program will offer 12 PNC students the opportunity to serve as minimum-time AmeriCorps members and volunteer with community organizations both on and off campus. The SE Corps students will volunteer with local organizations that include after-school mentoring programs, ecological awareness projects and healthcare organizations.
"I am pleased that our students have this tremendous opportunity," said PNC Chancellor Dr. James B. Dworkin. "As our students spend time working with community agencies, using their knowledge and expertise to help the agencies fulfill their missions, they gain valuable real-world on-the-job experience."
Laura Weaver, PNC service learning coordinator, said that one student will volunteer with the PNC Center for Service Learning & Leadership, another student will assist Dr. Mary Jane Eisenhauer, assistant professor of Elementary Education and an Indiana Campus Compact Faculty Fellow, as she teaches the service learning class, Family, School and Community Partnerships.
Weaver explained, "SE Corps Members will play an important role in making a difference in their community, and gain valuable civic and workforce skills."
Participating students who commit to completing 300 hours of service between Sept. 1 and Aug. 31, will be eligible to receive a $1,132 AmeriCorps Education Award. These AmeriCorps Education Awards can be used to repay qualified student loans, or to pay the cost of attending a qualified institution of higher education.
In all, 14 Indiana campuses will mobilize 150 AmeriCorps volunteers. It is anticipated these students will contribute more than 45,000 hours of service.
A limited number of SE Corps slots remain. interested students should contact the PNC Center for Service Learning & Leadership at 219.785.5200 ext. 5451 or service-learning@pnc.edu. to request an application. SE Corps Members become a part of the AmeriCorps national service network of improving lives and strengthening communities throughout the U.S.
The PNC Center for Service Learning & Leadership was established in May 2008 to support the service learning efforts of PNC faculty, coordinate university-wide volunteer and community service activities, encourage the development of campus-community partnerships and collaborate with other PNC departments to help further the development of students.