Public Service Week, October 12 - 17, 2026, is a time to highlight the contributions of UVA students, staff, and faculty to public service, outreach, community-engaged teaching, public impact research, and the pursuit of careers in public service, because you are what makes UVA great and good. [We are no longer accepting event submissions for PSW 2026.]

Event Key

🤝 Direct Service and Volunteering: Opportunities to work alongside community partners, classmates, and colleagues
🏛️ Faculty and Staff: Most events are open to all, but faculty and staff may be particularly interested in these.
💼 Career Exploration: Events highlighting mission-driven careers and post-college paths
🧭 Public Service Pathways: Are you in Public Service Pathways yet? Learn more about PSP at these events.
📚 Majors and Fields: Discover how your discipline can serve the public and make a difference.

Public Service Week 2026 Calendar of Events

Sept. 16 - Dec. 18
🏛️ Give Where You Live
The University of Virginia is partnering with United Way of Greater Charlottesville to launch Give Where You Live. Give Where You Live makes it easy for UVA employees to donate to trusted local nonprofits via payroll deductions or credit/debit cards. Learn more and make a lasting impact where we live and work.

Monday, October 12

📚🏛️ Shared Vision: A Celebration of Place-Based Learning and Community Publishing

10/12 | 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Bryan Hall, room 229

With the Writing and Rhetoric Program, Mellon RPE Program, and Community Partners: Celebrate the release of Shared Visions, a collection of student writing inspired by partnerships among UVA students, faculty, and community organization including the Monacan Indian Nation, Descendants of Enslaved Communities at UVA, the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center. The book reflects on experiences of learning through place, history, and community, inviting readers to consider what it means to live, work, and learn together. Join us for refreshments, conversation, brief readings and reflections from contributors, and a chance to connect with others who helped bring the project to life. All are welcome. RSVP here.

Tuesday, October 13

📚🤝🏛️ School Year Enrichment Day with Albemarle County Public School Students

10/13 | Slots available from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Newcomb Student Engagement Center (PAC), Room 164

With Starr Hill Pathways: Students, faculty, and staff are invited to volunteer with Starr Hill Pathways and make a meaningful impact on local students' college and career journeys. Volunteers will work directly with students by providing guidance and encouragement in key college readiness areas, including: letters of recommendation, understanding transcripts, college applications, personal statement, interview techniques, and more. No prior experience is necessary! SHP will provide volunteers with guides and resources for each area of support. To help with planning, please complete the RSVP form to indicate your interest and availability.

🧭 Public Service Pathways Orientation

10/13 | 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Student Health & Wellness, Multipurpose Room (100a-101b)

With Public Service Pathways: Public Service Pathways is an exploratory wayfinding program. The program takes a holistic approach and helps students get connected with direct service and volunteer opportunities, but also academic, social, and professional opportunities related to public service. If you are a first-year, second-year or third-year transfer student, start your program participation by attending orientation!

📚💼 Exploring Careers in Public Service

10/13 | 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. | Great Hall Room, Garrett Hall

With the UVA Career Center, UVA Alumni Association, and Public Service Pathways: Interested in a career in public service? Come hear from alumni working across the non-profit, local government, and state government sectors!

We’ll begin with a brief panel featuring alumni from each of these pathways, followed by roundtable networking discussions where you can ask questions, learn about their experiences, and get advice on building your own career in public service.

Refreshments will be provided!

Wednesday, October 14

📚 We Are Each Other's Business: Encountering Light on the Inside

10/14 | 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Rotunda Multipurpose Room 121

With the Virginia Prison Education Program: Join author and educator Charlotte Matthews for "We Are Each Other’s Business: Encountering Light on the Inside." During this intimate lunch-and-learn, Matthews will read from her forthcoming memoir exploring her experiences teaching incarcerated women at the Fluvanna Correctional Center for Women. Following the reading, participants will engage in an open discussion and a guided writing exercise. Capped at 20 participants, this gathering is ideal for students interested in education, the justice system, the arts, and creative writing. Lunch is provided. Register for We Are Each Other's Business here.

📚💼 Public Health & Peace Corps Mentoring Chats with Professor Bryan Lewis

10/14 | 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Georges Student Center, Clemons Library, 2nd floor

With the UVA Career Center: Join a mentoring chat with Bryan Lewis, Research Professor at UVA’s Biocomplexity Institute. A computational epidemiologist, Lewis studies how infectious diseases spread and uses modeling and simulation to help inform public health policy. For more than 15 years, he has worked on forecasting and response efforts for diseases including Ebola, influenza, cholera, and COVID-19, collaborating with agencies such as the CDC, NIH, and the Commonwealth of Virginia. A returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served in Chad, Lewis brings a unique perspective shaped by hands-on public health work, government service, and infectious disease research. Register for Mentoring Chats via Handshake.

📚 The Changing Coast: Insights That Shape Policy, Science, and Society

10/14 | 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. | Virtual

With the UVA Coastal Research Center: How do we study a world where coastal landscapes, higher education, and policy are changing together? Faculty from environmental sciences, policy, and religious studies will discuss UVA’s innovative work in coastal regions, exploring connections among science, community livelihoods, policy, and spirituality. Before the webinar, explore the challenges of coastal life by watching the free Against the Current documentary, featuring Virginia’s Eastern Shore and the region that is home to UVA’s coastal research. Register and receive reminders for The Changing Coast here.

📚💼[POSTPONED] Public Interest Technology Careers Panel

10/14 | 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. | Newcomb Ballroom

This event has been postponed. With Public Service Pathways and Public Interest Technology University Network: Join us to hear discussion from a panel of alumni and students, hosted by Mahir Parmar and featuring Olivia Beidler, Hannah Egl, and Akshita Tiwari. Olivia Beidler is the recycling coordinator at Central Virginia Waste Management, Hannah Egl is a Business Data Analyst with UVA Health, and Akshita Tiwari is the co-founder of qME and Proco, as well as a third year computer science student. Topics will include what is Public Interest Technology (PIT), how do they engage with PIT in their careers, and how students can get involved in PIT careers. Please RSVP and send questions through this form!

📚🏛️ Multilingual and Multicultural Public Service

10/14 | 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. | Language Commons, New Cabell 298

With CAELC and VISAS: Join VISAS for a special Café celebrating UVA Public Service Week! This casual, interactive event will bring together members of UVA’s international community and volunteers for conversation, connection, and cultural exchange. Participants will have an opportunity to learn from one another, share their experiences and perspectives, and explore the role of multilingual and multicultural communities in public service. Learn more and make a plan to visit VISAS Café.

🤝📚 Hope for Hidradenitis Suppurativa: HS Awareness Event

10/14 | 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. | Claude Moore Medical Education Building, Learning Studio 1110

With the UVA Medical Student Dermatology Interest Group: Discover how healthcare professionals and advocates work together to improve patient outcomes at this HS Awareness Event, presented in partnership with the Dermatology Interest Group. Hear from HS specialist Dr. R. Hal Flowers and Clinical Pharmacist Dr. Lindsey Buscemi about hidradenitis suppurativa, the patient experience, and the importance of advocacy in healthcare. Whether you're exploring a future in medicine, pharmacy, nursing, or public health, this event offers a valuable look at compassionate, patient-centered care. Attendees will also have the opportunity to decorate awareness tote bags and show their support for the HS community. Free pizza provided. Pre-registration is requested, so register here today.

🧭🏛️ All-Comers Social Hour with Public Service Pathways

10/14 | 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. | Newcomb Ballroom

With Public Service Pathways: Join fellow students, faculty, and staff for an opportunity to connect, build community, and explore the seven Public Service Pathways communities. The event welcomes all currently involved in Public Service Pathways as well as faculty and students (1Y, 2Y, and 3Y transfer students) interested in learning more and becoming involved. Attendees can meet others with shared interests, connect with faculty and staff, and discover opportunities within their pathway of interest. A catered meal will be provided.

Thursday, October 15

🏛️ 2026 Community Engagement Summit: Co-Creating a Thriving Community

10/15 | 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | Newcomb Hall

With the Division for Community Engagement and Equal Opportunity: The Division for Community Engagement and Equal Opportunity invites community members, partner organizations, faculty, staff, students, and community-engaged leaders to join this inaugural event. This one-day summit will welcome attendees from Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and UVA to celebrate the power of collaboration, share promising practices, and build connections that strengthen our collective work. View the Summit agenda and register here.

🏛️ Public Service Week Reception

10/15 | 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. | Contemplative Commons

With the Office for Academic Outreach and Contemplative Sciences Center: Public service is built on relationships. Join us at the Contemplative Commons on for an evening celebrating the people and partnerships that make community-engaged work possible.

The Public Service Week Reception will bring together community members, faculty, staff, Community Engagement Summit guests, and others dedicated to making a difference. Enjoy refreshments, connect across organizations and disciplines, and explore opportunities for future collaboration in a relaxed and welcoming setting made possible by our co-host, UVA's Contemplative Sciences Center.

We encourage UVA faculty and staff to share this event invitation and registration page with their community partners. We look forward to celebrating the spirit of public service with you.

Contemplative Sciences Center of the University of Virginia

Friday, October 16

🤝 Community Partner Thank You Card Writing

10/16 | 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. | Lawn Room 43

With Madison House: Calling all Madison House volunteers! We will be writing thank you cards to our amazing Madison House community partners and providing donuts and coffee for all of our volunteers. Stop by Lawn Room 43!

💼 Beyond Grounds: Coffee & Conversation about Public Service After College

10/16 | 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | Kindness Cafe, 480 Rugby Road

With the Center for Nonprofit Excellence and UVA Office for Academic Outreach: Join Vice Provost for Academic Outreach Louis Nelson and former UVA Vice President for Finance Melody Bianchetto for coffee and conversation about staying engaged in your community after graduation. Drawing on their own experiences in public service and nonprofit leadership, Louis and Melody will share insights on finding meaningful opportunities to serve, building community connections, and even serving on nonprofit boards. RSVP here to join us for a free coffee and conversation.

📚💼 From Economics to Impact: Careers in Public Policy and Public Affairs

10/16 | 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Newcomb Hall, South Meeting Room (3rd floor)

With the Economics Career Office: Interested in careers in Public Policy or Public Service? Join the ECO as we welcome four accomplished economics alumni whose work spans areas such as federal, state, and local government, emergency management, public health policy, and other public-serving fields. The panel will offer an inside look at the many ways economics graduates can contribute to the public good—both within and beyond traditional government roles. Panelists will discuss how they entered their respective fields, what their day-to-day work involves, and how their economics backgrounds have shaped their professional paths. The conversation begins promptly at 11:00 a.m. to allow plenty of time for questions from participants.

🏛️ UVA Staff, Local Nonprofits, and Community Impact

10/16 | 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. | Ridley Hall, room 208

With the Center for Nonprofit Excellence and UVA Office for Academic Outreach: UVA staff and faculty are invited to join two longtime community leaders—Mark Lorenzoni, owner of Ragged Mountain Running Shop, and Melody Bianchetto, former UVA Vice President for Finance—for lunch and an engaging conversation about serving nonprofits in Charlottesville and the surrounding area. Mark and Melody will highlight the pressing needs facing local nonprofits and share insights from their extensive service on area boards and committees. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and discover how to translate their professional expertise, time, and skills into meaningful local impact—whether through board leadership, committee work, or volunteer service. Register here.

🤝 Day of Service: Rise Against Hunger

10/16 | 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. | 1515 Building

With Hoos First, UPC, Multicultural Student Services, Fraternity & Sorority Life, Student Engagement, and Public Service Pathways: Students, join us for a Day of Service with Rise Against Hunger focused on addressing global food insecurity. We will be packaging meals in two time blocks. Sign-up is required.

Saturday, October 17

🤝 Day of Service: Meals from the Heart

10/17 | 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Newcomb Hall 164

With Student Engagement: Students, join us for a Day of Service at Ronald McDonald House. We will prepare a meal for the families of UVA Health patients. Sign-up is required.

🤝🧭 Global Sustainability and Public Arts Pathways at New Roots Farm

10/17 | 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. | New Roots Farm, 410 Old Lynchburg Road

With New Roots Farm and Public Service Pathways: Interested in the intersection between art and sustainability? Biochar drawings are a form of artwork that uses carbon-rich charcoal buried underground to contribute to carbon sequestration, soil regeneration, and the reuse of waste biomass. The biochar project with App. State Professor Ila Prouty will help build local knowledge of biochar for small-scale farming, while also creating a permanent work of art, as soil that is mixed with biochar allows the drawing pattern to emerge through plants on the surface. Public Service Pathways students who stay for the entirety of the project can count this towards Learn and Serve on their checklist! Please RSVP here.

Public Service Week Event Archive

Browse to learn what types of events we have hosted over the years.

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