Applications for Flood Recovery Student Serviceships Now Open

The University of Nebraska is now accepting applications for a new student serviceship program that will place up to 50 NU students in communities across Nebraska this summer to assist with recovery efforts from the recent devastating floods.

The application is available here. All undergraduate, graduate and professional students from any University of Nebraska campus, including the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, are invited to apply.

Campus leaders tasked with coordinating flooding volunteer efforts will evaluate the applications and make selections based on students’ academic standing, their willingness to serve or other criteria.

Based on the successful model developed by NU’s Rural Futures Institute, the flood recovery serviceships will provide students the opportunity to gain valuable public service while also learning how communities deal with natural disasters. Students will work directly with local leaders on recovery efforts to contribute in ways that add value, and will help identify service projects that could be addressed by teams of students, staff or faculty.

Duration of the serviceships will vary based on a student’s schedule and the needs of the community. Maximum duration will be 40 hours per week for 10 weeks, starting in late May or early June. Students will be paid $12.50 per hour and may have the opportunity to earn college credit for their work. Students will need to have access to a car and may request to serve in their hometown.

The flood serviceship program is being coordinated by the university-wide team of experts who are working together to facilitate volunteer opportunities and pursue partnerships where NU expertise is needed. Nebraska Extension leaders will identify community hosts for serviceship students and work with local leaders on appropriate service projects. Student safety will be the highest priority in determining projects.

The program is funded by a $250,000 investment from the University of Nebraska.

Students or other interested parties are invited to contact Nebraska Extension Dean and Director Chuck Hibberd with questions.

Complete information on the University of Nebraska’s coordinated response to the flooding is available here.

Apply Now

Host University of Nebraska Serviceship Students

We invite you to apply to host one or more Flood Recovery Serviceship students in your community. Wages and travel costs are covered for these students. We recognize that housing options may be limited. We are asking students if they can work from home. If you know of a housing solution for our community-based Serviceship students, we would appreciate that information.

We are open to a variety of serviceship projects. Examples include:

• Helping recover a community center, local park or other public space.

• Assistance in creating a county fair that celebrates your community, your flood response team and volunteers.

• Providing a literacy program or maker space experience for children of flood victims.

• Working with a volunteer management agency (United Way or others) to help train and manage volunteers.

• Helping community leaders revision the future.

• Engage seniors who have been affected by the flood.

• And, many more...

Your local Extension professionals are available to work with you on these Serviceship projects. Find your Extension office.

If you are interested, please go to the following link to complete an application.

Community Host Application - University of Nebraska Student Serviceships

If you have a question about hosting, please contact Chuck Hibberd, hibberd@unl.edu or 402.472.2966.