Class of 2026

Welcome to NCSSM, Class of 2026!

I'm sure you've heard that phrase a few times since your acceptance in April. However, I'd like to welcome you yet another time as you prepare to embark on an adventure like you've never experienced. My name is Sue Anne Lewis and I am the Service Learning Coordinator who overses the NCSSM Service Requirement for both NCSSM-Durham and NCSSM-Morganton. I have been a Community Coordinator (shout out to 1st Hunt) at NCSSM-Durham since 2004 and have served as the Service Learning Coordinator since 2011. 

One stop on your adventure will be completing the NCSSM Service Requirement. This is a graduation requirement and must be completed by all students at NCSSM-Durham and NCSSM-Morganton. Below, you will find out the guidelines of the requirement. I've made this page especially for you since NCSSM will be transitioning to a new platform at the end of May/beginning of June for some of its services, including tracking service hours.  The information below is the same information included on the Guidelines tab without LetServe (previously tracking platform) included.

If you have any questions about the information below, please do not hesitate to reach out.

The Service requirement at NCSSM has been a staple since the school's beginning, allowing students to give back to their home community and the state of North Carolina. Students are able to being volunteering the day following NCSSM commemencement of the academic year they were accepted (Class of 2026 may begin volunteering May 26, 2024). Students can volunteer at any point from the date above until the last day of Thanksgiving Break of their senior year to complete the 60 hour minimum requirement. 

Please carefully read the FAQ below and email servicelearning@ncssm.edu with any questions or concerns you may have.

Due to the original philosophy behind the Service Requirement (giving back to North Carolina residents) all service must have some content in NC. The only exceptions are circumstances where the student resides with a second parent out-of-state during the time of the service opportunity; or if the student resides in a community bordering Virginia, South Carolina, Tennessee, or Georgia and the service opportunity is more accessible in the neighboring state. If a student is traveling to another country, they can request volunteer hours be allowed in advance by contacting the Service Learning Coordinator. If a student is approved to volunteer abroad, a maximum of 40 hours can be counted towards the NCSSM Service Requirement and 20 hours must still take place in NC. The Service Learning Coordinator should be informed of these special circumstances ahead of time, so that they can be a factor in considering final service approval. You can explain these instances in an email to the Service Learning Coordinator at servicelearning@ncssm.edu.

NCSSM has recently aquired a new platform which has the ability to track service hours. This platform is in the beginning stages of onboarding at NCSSM and will hopefully be ready to launch publically by the end of May/beginning of June. 

Volunteering at nonprofit organizations, hopsitals through the volunteer program (Shadowing doctors/nurses does not qualify), schools, NC local government programs (please email the service learning coordinator to make sure your program will count), and qualifying  NCSSM opportunies.

NCSSM opportunities include: volunteering through official NCSSM Service Learning opportunities, volunteering through a chartered NCSSM club where the service opportunity meets the requirements below, a service opportunity offered by a residence hall or NCSSM faculty/staff member.

Students cannot “double dip” service hours, meaning students cannot receive credit for their service academically, as an award, or receive any recognition and for the service requirement. Therefore, students may not use NCSSM summer research or mentorship hours to complete the service requirement as students are already receiving academic credit for the research experience. An example of double dipping outside of NCSSM would be hours for the Eagle and Gold Awards. In addition, students may not tutor NCSSM students in any capacity (through campus service or otherwise) for NCSSM Service Requirement hours.

The NCSSM Service Requirement hours must be separate from any type of award or recognition except the Durham Mayor’s Award, the Presidential Service Award, or the NCSSM Outstanding Service Award (awarded to students who complete more than 150 hours of service). NCSSM is NOT a qualifying organization for the Presidential Award. Students interested in the Presidential or Durham Mayor's Award should look at the websites for information about how to receive the award.

NCSSM clubs can receive NCSSM Service Requirement credit for service hours completed should the following guidelines be met: 1) the hours are not also being counted for membership or other club requirements (no double dipping), 2) club meetings, tutoring NCSSM students, regular club activities, etc. cannot count for service hours, 3) service opportunity involves in-person interaction with non-NCSSM members of the community, 4) donation drives cannot count for service hours,  5) service must be pre approved prior to service by NCSSM faculty/staff sponsor to ensure the service activity qualifies for NCSSM Service Credit, 6) Faculty/staff sponsor must approve hours in the service platform to receive credit.

Yes! Those who volunteer on MLK Day through the NCSSM Service Learning opportunities or NCSSM club opportunities may register their hours throughthe service platform to count for the Service Requirement. Do note that students would only be able to use hours from MLK Day during their junior year as MLK Day during senior year is after the deadline to complete all hours.

Students can use research opportunities to fulfill their NCSSM Service Requirement if the agency is a nonprofit and located in NC. The NCSSM summer research and mentorship experiences do not fulfill this requirement as the student is already receiving credit for the course. If a student plans to volunteer at a nonprofit research laboratory, there are a few stipulations: the students work cannot be published and/or credited with any findings that will lead to financial gain, awards, or recognition and the student cannot use this type of service to fulfill assignments and/or requirements set forth by NCSSM or another organization.

Service trips to other states or abroad may be used to fulfil service requirement hours as long as: 1) the organization is a nonprofit organization based in NC and 2) a minimum of 20 hours are completed with the organization prior to or following the trip at the organization in NC. If a student participates in a service trip, the student may not include the following hours: time spent traveling, sightseeing, sleeping, etc. Students may only count time spent actively engaged in volunteer efforts.

Online tutoring platforms must serve residents of NC and be located in NC. At this time, the only approved online tutoring platforms are SMath Tutors and NC Virtual Public Schools Peer Tutoring.

Students cannot accept any form of monetary compensation (cash, checks, stipend, gift cards, etc.). NCSSM Service hours are strictly voluntary and must be unpaid. Any student who receives monetary compensation for their NCSSM Service Requirement hours will be subject to disciplinary action as determined by the Service Learning Coordinator and Director of Student Services.

Service hours may not begin for a student until the day following NCSSM Commencement during their sophomore year. Students have from that date until the end of Thanksgiving Break of their senior year to complete the required hours.