Getting involved, giving back, and working with the greater SNHU community!
About Us
Mission
The Chandler Center leads students toward active citizenship by cultivating community-based leadership opportunities, meaningful community partnerships, and social issue education.
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Our vision is a community where everyone is empowered to be curious about and committed to social action.
There are many ways to get involved, from a one-time project to a spring break of service-- we will meet you where you are!
Service Learning
Service Learning involves students in well-organized service activities addressing community needs while at the same time complimenting students’ academic studies. Service Learning consists of a curriculum that combines education and service, including class time for reflecting on the service experience. Extending the classroom into the community provides opportunities for developing the students’ critical thinking skills and increasing the students’ sense of social responsibility and citizenship.
Alternative Break
Alternative Break, also known as Service-Based Travel, combines education, direct service, and reflection in an immersive experience that promotes active citizenship development. Each spring break, SNHU students can travel domestically and internationally to serve in a new community for a week. Leading up to the trip, students will receive issue education about the community they will serve.
Service and education on our trips have focused on poverty, homelessness, gender-based violence, environmental issues, and disaster relief. Additionally, students can take a leadership opportunity as Alternative Break coordinators, responsible for planning a Service-Based Trip!
Volunteer Projects
In addition to the large-scale projects, The Chandler Center coordinates many one-time service projects. These experiences offer a wide variety of service options ideal for students who are unable to commit to the lengthier ongoing service programs. Projects in the past have included: sorting food at the New Hampshire Food Bank, painting projects at local agencies such as the YMCA, as well as sorting clothes at Families in Transition’s thrift store. These types of projects are also great opportunities for not only individuals but also SNHU groups such as athletic teams, clubs, fraternities/sororities, etc.
Take 5
Eighteen incoming students move to campus a week early to learn, connect, and serve the Manchester community by participating in the Take 5 program. The program is five days of community service focused on social issues in Manchester, activities that build a sense of community and ease the adjustment to university life.
Breakthrough Manchester College Bound
Breakthrough Manchester College-Bound at SNHU (BTM-CB) is a tuition-free program guided by a mission to give continued support in academic growth, educational enrichment, college-readiness, and essential skill-building to highly motivated, under-resourced high school students while inspiring the next generation of well-rounded leaders and educators. BTM-CB seeks to complete its mission through dedicated advising and support of students, college access and success curriculum on nine College-Bound Saturdays, and a college success culture and community.