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It is not too late to be a student leader this year! There are a few positions available Apply Below!

 

Applications for 2026-2027 will open in Spring of 2026!

Frequently Asked Questions

This is the Bennion Center's longest running and largest student program. There are currently 43 local community partner organizations we work with for the year. Partner Liaison student leaders work directly with a specific partner to meet the community-identified goals of the organization while also recruiting and training student volunteers in support of their efforts. Don't worry, the majority of U of U student volunteer recruitment is achieved through the Volunteer Interest Form on our website.

All CPPs are organized into the following Issue Areas:

  • Advocacy

  • Arts & Recreation

  • Education

  • Health & Wellness

  • Mentorship

  • Sustainability & Food Justice

There are both on and off campus options to consider. The majority of them are located off campus and will require travel to volunteer on-site. We do our best to partner with organizations that are accessible through public transit, although there are a handful that do require a vehicle. You’ll also participate in meetings, trainings, and office hours in the Bennion Center, located inside the Union building, suite 101 (on the same floor as the food court).

All students currently enrolled at the U are eligible to apply! The benefit of being a part of the Bennion Center community is the mix of students from all majors, years, backgrounds, and identities. Prior volunteer experience or engagement with the Bennion Center is not required to apply.

Fall Semester: End of December/Beginning of January Applications OpenApplications are accepted on a rolling basis until ALL open positions for the year are filled.

Spring Semester: Interviews for positions and positions offers go out. Once positions are accepted, incoming student leaders have transition meetings with out-going student leadersWe’ll continue sharing any open positions throughout this semester.Right after finals, there is a mandatory Student Leader Orientation with the Bennion Center.

Summer Semester: Active participation if the program you are partnered with runs over the summer, you will be expected to keep in contact and volunteer with them—in whatever capacity is possible. If not, you will have a few tasks to prepare for the upcoming year. The active term for Bennion Center Student Leaders is approximately May of the year you’re accepted through April of the next year.

Reasons: Find like-minded people and be more involved on-campus and in the larger community.Continue history of volunteering as part of a group that has support and an impactBuild leadership experience, gain volunteer hours for future aspirations, and strengthen your resume.

We have all of our positions listed below with brief explanations, regardless of if they are filled for the upcoming/current year or not. Please review these and consider which options are most interesting to you. Please see the application to see which positions are still accepting applications. You can select up to 3 positions (in order of priority) on the application. Once we receive your application we’ll reach out to you about next steps.

Partner Liaisons - Community Partner Programs

Please review each program's listing in the Volunteer Interest Form for additional details.

 

Partner Liaisons (PLs) work collaboratively to connect volunteers from the U of U to nonprofits, schools, and government organizations to support the Bennion Center’s mission of inspiring and mobilizing people to strengthen communities. PLs lead efforts in volunteer recruitment, onboarding, retention, and recognition for the program/partner with which they are paired. Depending on the community partner, PLs may also support the planning and implementation of programming.  

PLs will gain valuable real-world skills including volunteer management, organization, communication, professional relationship building, facilitation, and how to equitably engage with the community.  

This is an unpaid, volunteer leadership position. If this is a barrier to your participation, we offer a limited number of need-based Helping Hand scholarships that range from $50 to $500 in the fall & spring.

Other than noted responsibilities (weekly office hour, Issue Area meetings, workshops) the responsibilities to the Bennion Center can be completed remotely. Volunteer work with the community partner will take place in person, check the position specific description to see any required availability.

  • Must be a degree-seeking University of Utah student. Position is open to undergraduate and graduate students.  
  • We strongly recommend prospective PLs volunteer with or visit the community partner prior to applying.  
  • Support the Bennion Center’s values of Hope, Action, Collaboration, and Integrity, and our commitment to fostering a sense of belonging on and off campus.    

  • Volunteer regularly within the respective program (see Volunteer Interest Form for a description of each program).  
  • Recruit, orient, train, and retain volunteers as necessary to meet community partner needs.  
  • Respond to prospective Volunteer Interest Forms (VIFs) within 24-48 hours.  
  • Maintain regular communication with your staff partner, community partner, and Issue Area Coordinator.  
  • Complete three Community Partner Agreement meetings by the established deadlines. 
  • Maintain a VIF tracking spreadsheet (a database of all prospective, current, and past volunteers, including contact information and university ID). 
  • Track and submit monthly hours served within your program by Bennion Center volunteers. 
  • Attend monthly meetings facilitated by the Issue Area Coordinator. 
  • Perform the duties required by the specific program (see specific program description for details). 
  • Be a Bennion Center Ambassador: build an in-depth understanding of the programs and opportunities at the Bennion Center. 
  • Some programs may have additional requirements including background checks, motor pool certification, or youth protection.  

PLs are expected to serve 3-5 hours a week, depending on the program. Many programs also require engagement during the summer months (see application for details) although remote engagement might be possible depending on the program.  

Weekly  

  • 1 office hour held at Bennion Center, duties may include: 
  • Complete programmatic responsibilities 
  • Meet with prospective volunteers 
  • Program volunteer commitment (with Community Partner)  

Monthly  

  • Issue Area Meeting  
  • Hours Logs/Reflections  

Semester  

  • Attend Legacy of Lowell Saturday Service Project (Fall) & MLK Saturday Service Project (Spring) 
  • 1 Leadership Workshop (per semester) 
  • 2 hours outreach (per semester)  

Yearly  

  • Student Leader Orientation Thursday, May 1st   from 10 am- 2pm   
  • 3 Community Partner Agreement meetings

AVAILABLE Partner Liaisons positions by Issue Area

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross offers opportunities for volunteers across 5 major areas of service: disaster relief, service to the Armed Forces, blood services, health and safety services, and international services. Volunteering with the Red Cross allows you to help others as well as add to your resume, meet new people, and gain new lifelong skills!

Ronald McDonald House

Dedicated to providing a home-away-from-home for families with hospitalized children, Ronald McDonald House offers comfort and support during challenging times. In this role, you will coordinate volunteer efforts to assist with household tasks and provide companionship to resident families.

No programs in Arts & Recreation have open positions at this time.

Project Read Utah

Project Read envisions a literate Utah where all have access to learning opportunities. Volunteers provide one-on-one tutoring to improve English literacy and support adult learners in reading, writing, math, and computer skills. Additional roles include assisting with group activities, office tasks, and event support.

No programs in Health & Wellness have open positions at this time.

 

Circles Salt Lake City

Circles Salt Lakes believes in a two-generation approach to break the cycle of poverty as they build community and offer support services. The well-being of our parents is crucial to the children’s social-emotional, physical and economic well-being. And at the same time, the parents’ ability to succeed in school and the workplace is substantially affected by how well their children are doing. We partner with them to support their Children and Youth program during their weekly meetings.

No programs in Sustainability & Food Justice have open positions at this time.

Click here to apply - Partner Liason positions

Questions or need assistance?

Please email Ruby Wahinehookae, Community Partner Program Manager

 

Last Updated: 10/1/25