Office of Public Affairs

The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation

In January of 2003, by Executive Order, President George W. Bush announced the formation of the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation. The Council was established to recognize the important contributions Americans of all ages are making within their communities through service and civic engagement. 

UTD Service and Civic Participation

Chancellor Mark Yudof serves on the President’s Council on Service & Civic Participation.  As a result, UT System has partnered with the President’s Council on Service & Civic Participation to bring the President’s Volunteer Service Awards program to UT Dallas and other UT System institutions.  A UTD Service & Civic Participation Steering Committee has been developed to implement the program campus-wide.

The President's Volunteer Service Award

The President’s Volunteer Service Awards have been developed to thank and honor Americans who engage in volunteer service and, in doing so, inspire others to volunteer their time and energy. Any individual, family, or group can receive Presidential recognition for annual commitments to volunteer service. Awards are based on length of service.  Individuals who serve a minimum of 100 hours in a 1-year period are eligible to receive awards.  The awards packages include a certificate of achievement, a President’s Volunteer Service Award lapel pin, a note of congratulations from the President of the United States and a letter from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation.

All Faculty, Staff and Students are Encouraged to Participate

Many of you already serve in regular volunteer capacities.  We want to recognize your good and important service and encourage others to become involved with charitable, service and civic organizations.  To earn an award, individuals, families, and groups must keep a record of volunteer activities served. Individuals may record service and participate in the program by clicking on the UTD logo at www.presidentialserviceawards.gov/s/ut/. The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation provides a simple web-based method for individuals to record and measure ongoing volunteer efforts.

More Information/Presentations to Campus Groups

For a brief tutorial on how to use the web-based tool, view the UTD Service & Civic Participation Tutorial.  Many questions can also be answered by visiting our FAQ page. 

If you have any other questions regarding this effort, please contact the Office of Diversity and Community Engagement at raul.hinojosa@utdallas.edu or 972-883-4562.  You may also visit the main website to learn about the national program at www.presidentialserviceawards.gov.

Volunteer Opportunities

To learn about opportunities to volunteer in your community, please visit UTD Service Learning or contact that office directly at servicelearning@utdallas.edu or 972-883-6391.