Opportunities to Connect, Engage, and Learn

Summer 2026

Partnering with Mercer

July 29, 2026 | 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. or 5:30–6:30 p.m.
Format: In person | Godsey Science Center, Room 102

August 7, 2026 | 12–1 p.m.
Format: Virtual

Designed for new and returning community partners, Partnering with Mercer provides an introduction to working effectively with Mercer students and the Center for Engaged Learning. Participants will learn about partnership expectations, available resources, and ways to strengthen their engagement with the University.

Opening Day Voter Registration Drives

August 14–15, 2026
Format: In person | Outside of Penfield Hall

Mercer Votes will welcome incoming students with voter registration information, resources, and tools to help them prepare to participate in upcoming elections.

Welcome to Macon: Service Saturday

August 22, 2026 | 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Format: In person | Volunteers meet on campus before departing for service

Connect with the Macon community through a morning of service. Service Saturdays are coordinated by the Office of Campus Life and Student Involvement via MerServe, the University’s student-led service programming board. These monthly events provide students with regular opportunities to serve alongside local organizations while learning more about the community beyond campus.

CEL Open House | Fall Preview

August 28, 2026 | 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Format: In person | Wiggs Hall, 2nd Floor

Stop by the Center for Engaged Learning to learn what’s ahead for the semester. Explore upcoming programs, events, resources, and student leadership opportunities while connecting with the CEL team.

Mercer Votes Ambassador Orientation

August 28, 2026 | 4–5 p.m.
Format: In person | Wiggs Hall, 1st Floor Classroom

This orientation prepares Mercer Votes Ambassadors for their role in supporting nonpartisan voter engagement across the University during the 2026 election season.

BearPulse 101

September 2, 2026 | 10:15–11 a.m.
Format: Virtual

Learn the basics of BearPulse, Mercer’s platform for connecting with service and community engagement opportunities. This introductory training covers finding and posting opportunities, managing sign-ups, tracking hours, and documenting engagement.

September Service Saturday

September 12, 2026 | 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Format: In person | Volunteers meet on campus before departing for service

Spend a Saturday morning serving alongside local organizations through MerServe’s recurring Service Saturday program. Participants can connect with the community while contributing to meaningful local projects.

National Voter Registration Day

September 15, 2026 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Format: In person | Cruz Plaza

Celebrate National Voter Registration Day with Mercer Votes. Stop by for nonpartisan voter registration information and resources to help you prepare for upcoming elections.

Engaged Learning Coffee & Consults

September 25, 2026 | 10–11 a.m.
Format: In person | Wiggs Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room

Faculty and staff are invited to bring an idea, question, or challenge and explore manageable ways to connect students with community engagement, service-learning, civic engagement, or community-based projects.

Be a Good NeighBear

September 26, 2026 | 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Format: In person | Check-in at Cruz Plaza; projects throughout Central Georgia

Join the Mercer community for an annual day of service throughout Central Georgia. Be a Good NeighBear connects students, faculty, and staff with community organizations for a day of meaningful service and engagement.

BearPulse 101

September 30, 2026 | 10:15–11 a.m.
Format: Virtual

Learn the basics of BearPulse, including how to find and post engagement opportunities, manage sign-ups, track service hours, and document community engagement.

National Voter Education Week

October 5–9, 2026
Format: Hybrid | Activities offered across the University

National Voter Education Week is a nonpartisan civic initiative designed to help voters prepare to cast their ballots with confidence. Throughout the week, Mercer Votes will share tools, information, and opportunities that help members of the Mercer community understand their voting options.

Partner Spotlight: United Way of Central Georgia

October 8, 2026 | 12–1 p.m.
Format: Webinar

Learn more about Mercer’s partnership with United Way of Central Georgia and the many ways our organizations work together beyond the annual fundraising campaign. This Partner Spotlight will highlight opportunities for service, collaboration, and deeper community engagement.

Lunch & Learn with Lauren: The Power of Youth Service

October 16, 2026 | 12–1 p.m. | Doors open at 11:30 a.m.
Format: In person | Mercer Innovation Center

Explore the role youth service can play in developing belonging, leadership, civic identity, and community connection. This conversation will also consider how institutions and community organizations can expand access to meaningful service experiences.

October Service Saturday

October 17, 2026 | 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Format: In person | Volunteers meet on campus before departing for service

Spend a Saturday morning serving alongside local organizations through MerServe’s recurring Service Saturday program. Participants can connect with the community while contributing to meaningful local projects.

BearPulse 101

October 23, 2026 | 10:15–11 a.m.
Format: Virtual

Learn the basics of BearPulse, including how to find and post engagement opportunities, manage sign-ups, track service hours, and document community engagement.

Vote Early Day: Pit Stop to the Polls

October 27, 2026 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Format: In person | Cruz Plaza

Celebrate Vote Early Day and make progress on your voting plan. Stop by for resources and support related to voting early in person or returning an absentee ballot.

November Service Saturday

November 14, 2026 | 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Format: In person | Volunteers meet on campus before departing for service

Spend a Saturday morning serving alongside local organizations through MerServe’s recurring Service Saturday program. Participants can connect with the community while contributing to meaningful local projects.

Turning Your Ideas into Impact: Visionary Student Panel Info Session

November 18, 2026 | 10:15–11 a.m.
Format: Virtual

Have an idea for improving your community? Learn how the Visionary Student Panel can help undergraduate students develop community engagement ideas into actionable projects, including information about the program process, timeline, past projects, and mini-grant opportunities.

BearPulse 101

November 23, 2026 | 3–3:45 p.m.
Format: Virtual

Learn the basics of BearPulse, including how to find and post engagement opportunities, manage sign-ups, track service hours, and document community engagement.

Engaged Learning Coffee & Consults

December 2, 2026 | 10–11 a.m.
Format: In person | Wiggs Hall, 2nd Floor Conference Room

Faculty and staff are invited to bring an idea, question, or challenge and explore manageable ways to connect students with community engagement, service-learning, civic engagement, or community-based projects.

MLK Day of Service

January 18, 2027 | 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Format: In person | Volunteers meet on campus before departing for service

Honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through service. Members of the Mercer community are invited to spend the morning working alongside community organizations and contributing to local projects.

Networking with the CEL

January 28, 2027 | 3:30–5:30 p.m.
Format: In person | PDR

Connect with Mercer faculty, staff, and community partners who share an interest in engaged learning. This annual gathering helps participants discover shared interests, build relationships, and develop connections that can strengthen teaching, learning, and community partnerships.

Lunch & Learn with Lauren: Wicked Problems

February 17, 2027 | 12–1 p.m. | Doors open at 11:30 a.m.
Format: In person | Mercer Innovation Center

Explore the complex challenges often described as “wicked problems” and consider why addressing them requires collaboration across disciplines, organizations, and communities. The conversation will highlight the role of collective action in responding to issues without simple solutions.

Visionary Student Panel Showcase

March 17, 2027 | 6–8 p.m.
Format: In person | Willet Auditorium

Celebrate Mercer students who are turning ideas for community change into action. The Visionary Student Panel Showcase highlights undergraduate projects developed through a program that equips students with the skills and resources to move community engagement ideas from discovery to implementation.

Spring into Service

March 20, 2027
Format: In person | University-wide

Spring into Service brings members of the Mercer community together for opportunities to serve, learn, and connect. The initiative reflects Mercer’s commitment to community impact and engaged learning while strengthening connections with local organizations.

Mercer Votes x Bearstock

April 3, 2027
Format: In person | Cruz Plaza

Visit Mercer Votes at Bearstock for nonpartisan civic engagement activities, voter resources, and opportunities to connect with Mercer’s Democracy Fellows.

Lunch & Learn with Lauren: Storytelling for Community Impact

April 14, 2027 | 12–1 p.m. | Doors open at 11:30 a.m.
Format: In person | Mercer Innovation Center

Explore how data and stories can work together to communicate the impact of community engagement. Participants will consider ways to combine participation data, outcomes, community partner perspectives, and individual experiences to tell a fuller story of community-engaged teaching, research, and service.

Compact 27

June 7–9, 2027
Format: In person | Los Angeles, California

The Center for Engaged Learning will participate in Compact 27, Campus Compact’s national conference, to share work from The Moments that Move Us initiative and engage with colleagues advancing civic and community engagement in higher education.