Center for Service 

Service Scholarship and Conferences

AmeriCorps Student Leaders in Service Scholarship
Student Leaders in Service is an AmeriCorps program which engages college students as part-time AmeriCorps members. The program is designed to expand opportunities for college students to participate and support service community building. Students who successfully complete a minimum of 300 hours of service over a year receive an education award of $1,132.00, which may be used for educational expenses, repay loans or other future educational costs.  The Center for Service can help assist students in volunteer placements. 

Twenty-five MCLA students have participated in this program over the last five years.  Contact Spencer Moser on FirstClass for an application or click here for a 2012-2013 application.

Student Program Coordinator Positions

The Center for Service office offers many paid employment leadership opportunities for students. Each of our programs and many of the annual events are coordinated by students who have a vision for that program and are responsible for making it as effective as possible. Student employees of the Center for Service are distinguished as campus leaders and act as a bridge between the student population, the college's administration, and the broader North Adams community.  These positions offer professional experience in leading, managing, recruiting, training organizing, communication and many other transferable skills, as well as a great way to become familiar with staff at MCLA. To learn more about the service programs that are student run, please refer to the "Programs" section of our website. Contact Spencer Moser on FirstClass to apply or learn more. 

Civic Engagement Grants

MCLA has received federal and state civic engagement grants that have supported a variety of student community service, volunteer and service learning projects.   Contact Spencer Moser on FirstClass for an application or to learn more.

BISA Conference
Berkshire Institute of Student Activism (BISA) is created to help Berkshire area students tackle critical problems of our times, local and beyond.  Through workshops and discussions BISA trains students in leadership skills aimed at confronting social problems.  Students will have the opportunity to hear from and work with community leaders.  The conference also allows for the coming together of passionate college students from the Berkshires, key networking and shared student programming.  Contact Spencer Moser on FirstClass to learn more.

The Annual Service Learning Conference  
The Annual Service Learning Conference held at MCLA includes multiple workshops and speakers that address the topic of service learning. Service learning is a method of teaching and a way of learning; students use academic knowledge and skills to meet real community needs through service activities connected to their curriculum. Youth, K-16 educators, administrators, community partners, civic leaders, and people who think beyond the classroom are all encouraged to attend. Conference topics include: youth leadership, educator leadership for service learning, service learning as a strategy with at risk populations, technology and service learning, and more. The conference is sponsored by North Adams Public Schools, MCLA, and Northern Berkshire Community Coalition, as well as being funded with support from the Massachusetts Department of Education.   Contact Spencer Moser on FirstClass to learn more.