Leadership Positions - Bennion Center - The University of Utah

Bennion Center Student Leader positions for the 2025-2026 academic-year!

Applications open February 10th. Interviews will be extended on a rolling basic until all positions are filled. Applications will close by Mar 17th if all positions are filled.

Frequently Asked Questions

This is the Bennion Center's longest running and largest student program. There are currently 46 local community partner organizations we work with each year. Partner Liaison student leaders work directly with a specific partner to meet the community-identified needs 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. The Bennion Center, located inside the Union building (suite 101), will also be used for meetings with your student volunteers, Issue Area Coordinators, etc.

All students at the U are eligible to apply. There are no requirements other than being enrolled at the U during your term. 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.

Applications will be accepted and interviews scheduled on a rolling basis until all open positions for 2025-2026 are filled. There is mandatory student leader orientation on Thursday, May 1st during the day (likely 10 am -2 pm). The active term for 2025-2026 Bennion Center Student Leaders is approximately May 2025 through April 2026.

While there are an endless number of external factors and internal motivations as to why students choose to engage with us, they are all interconnected and ultimately require your commitment to be successful. Generally speaking, the top 3 reasons are as follows and are in no particular order.

Want to get more involved on-campus and meet new people
Have a history of volunteering or an unmet desire to get started
Looking to strengthen their resume with leadership experience and volunteer hours

Review the available positions by issue area and community partner below. Then click on the application link and select up to 3 preferences in order of priority. Below you'll find all of the positions that you can apply for.

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

Partner Liaison positions available by Issue Area

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

This organization supports the growth and development of Hispanic-owned businesses in Utah. As a Partner Liaison, you will assist in organizing events and programs that promote economic development within the Hispanic community.

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.

Somali Community Self-Management Agency

Focused on empowering Somali immigrants and refugees, this agency offers resources for self-sufficiency and integration. As a Partner Liaison, you will facilitate programs that support education, employment, and cultural adaptation for Somali community members.

Take Care utah

Take Care Utah aims to help Utah residents navigate health insurance options and access affordable healthcare. In this position, you will organize outreach events and assist individuals in understanding and enrolling in health coverage plans. All volunteer shifts take place in person and is not public transportation friendly. Having your own transportation to this site is highly recommended.

Youth Resource Center

Serving homeless and at-risk youth, this center provides essential services such as shelter, counseling, and education. As a Partner Liaison, you will coordinate volunteer activities to support these services and mentor youth in developing life skills.

Arts for Youth

Plan, implement, and teach arts-related activities for elementary/middle school-aged children at the Historic Scott School. Requires availability after school at least once a week.

Elevate Theater Company

Serve as a volunteer coach for individuals with disabilities to perform a musical in the spring semester. Availability on Saturday mornings is required for rehearsal.

Riverside Afterchool program

Engage with kids and tweens after school through board games, video games, crafts, and other activities. Must be able to commute to Day-Riverside Library in the afternoon.

Special Olympics Utah Team

Support individuals with intellectual disabilities through year-round sports. Help with practices for local teams as a coach or unified partner. Must be available Saturday mornings.

Special Olympics Utah U.L.E.

Plans, organizes, and runs the annual Fall Classic and State Basketball Tournament. Empower individuals with intellectual disabilities through sports.

Utah Symphony | Utah Opera

Support the Utah Symphony and Opera performances by hosting intermission receptions and running the gift shop. May also serve as a lead supporting other volunteers.

ACT Prep

ACT Prep prepares high school students for the ACT using a combination of ACT prep books and practice tests. Volunteers here have taken the ACT and are accustomed to standardized test-taking. Locations at the SLC Public Libraries: Marmalade on Thursday afternoons and Day Riverside on Saturday Mornings.

Palmer Court Kids Book Club

Palmer Court Kids Book Club is an event held for the kids at Palmer Court homeless shelter. This event involves playing with the kids, doing crafts, and even reading to them.

The Children's Center

The Children's Center provides comprehensive mental health care to enhance the emotional well-being of toddlers, preschoolers, and their families. Volunteers are required to commit to 1 three-hour shift per week, located in West Valley

Maliheh Free Clinic

Support the clinic’s mission of providing free, same-day urgent care to uninsured and underinsured patients. Ideal for those interested in healthcare and addressing health disparities.

Primary Children's Hospital

Assist children and families in the hospital by offering activities, companionship, and resource support. This role may involve working in various Intermountain Health facilities.

Rides for Wellness

Provide free, reliable transportation for seniors and individuals with disabilities to their appointments. You must have your own vehicle and be comfortable working independently.

UAF Legacy Health

Support individuals living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS by promoting safe sex, facilitating STI testing, and assisting with basic needs. Great for those passionate about public health and advocacy.

Utah Naloxone

Help mitigate the opioid crisis by assembling naloxone kits and supporting clean needle exchange programs. Availability on Wednesday afternoons (3-4 hours) is required for kit-building sessions.

Friends for Sight

Support vision & glaucoma screenings throughout various community locations (schools, health fairs, etc). Screenings typically take place during school or business hours, having your own transportation would be cricital to supporting this organization on a weekly basis.

Best Buddies

Best Buddies at the U is a chapter that matches student volunteers into one-to-one friendships with adults with disabilities and hosts fun monthly events to promote inclusion throughout the Salt Lake community. The PL holds a leadership position within the chapter, recruits volunteers, helps plan events, and serves as the primary point of contact.

Girl Scouts

The Girl Scouts of Utah collaborates with Title I schools and community centers throughout the Salt Lake Valley to offer the Girl Scouts experience to underserved communities. As a PL, you will be responsible for leading a troop, coordinating weekly activities, and managing volunteers to ensure a meaningful and impactful experience for all participants.

GRANDfamilies

GRANDfamilies is a comprehensive program offering support, advocacy, education, and crisis intervention to kinship families, ensuring the safety and permanency of children in their care. As a PL, you will help weekly with activities during trainings as well as supporting events for the program.

The Sharing Place

The Sharing Place offers grief support to children ages 3-18 and their parents. Each ongoing support group is facilitated by a trained coordinator and a team of volunteers who have completed specialized grief support training, ensuring a compassionate and informed environment for those coping with loss.

UFIT

U-FIT is a family-centered program designed to support children and youth with special needs through physical activities in a fun, non-competitive environment. With the guidance of trained volunteers, participants will enhance motor skills, improve fitness, build self-esteem, and forge meaningful friendships. Friday night availability is required.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Utah

One-to-one mentoring with children of various backgrounds and needs, aging from 6-18. All mentors are required to serve for at least one year to promote positive, long-lasting relationships.

Edible Campus Gardens

As a PL you'll work to engage the campus community in ecologically sound and just food systems through garden-based experience, education, and research. Our volunteer locations are split between the Pioneer Garden and Sill Garden both of which are located on campus

Food Recovery Network

The Food Recovery Network mobilizes college students to recover and donate surplus food from their campuses, reduce CO2 emissions, and advocate for a more equitable food system. This PL will collaborate with the FRN chapter to make this happen.

Social Justice Gardens - Mountain View

Help afterschool youth learn and grow in the Glendale-Mountain View-Community Learning Center Community Garden. Afternoon availability on site and being self-directed is important for this PL to thrive.