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Leadership and Service Center

  • Service opportunities are plentiful at UofSC. Mr. Dobson traveled to Costa Rica with students in spring 2019.

Dobson Volunteer Service Program

For more than 25 years students have participated in impactful and spiritually meaningful volunteer service trips all over the world through the Dobson Volunteer Service Program. For the purposes of this program, spiritual means having to do with God or religious matters apart from any particular faith. Travel will be considered for 2026 spring and summer breaks.

Applications for Spring/Summer 2026 Travel is currently open!

Applications for spring or summer travel for 2026 are open now and may be found below. You will need to have all materials ready for submission before you start your application. If you have any questions about the application or Dobson process, please contact Joshua Cauble or Derenzo Thomas. For questions about the non-credit application for Education Abroad, please contact the Education Abroad Office.

 

Purpose

The purpose of the Dobson Volunteer Service Program is to encourage the spiritual and value development of participating students while providing assistance to individuals, families, and communities in need.

To qualify, an applicant must demonstrate both a desired positive effect upon his/her spiritual development and a commitment to humanitarian service.

While there are many interpretations of "spiritual," for the purposes of this program, the term means having to do with God or religious matters. It is not required that an applicant be an adherent of any particular faith. 

Any approved amount designated by the Dobson Board will be reimbursed upon return and presentation on applicable receipts.
  • Applicant must be a USC student, faculty, staff, or Registered Religious Affiliate.
  • Applicant must be in good standing with the university.
  • Completion of Part One and Two of the non-credit application with the Education Abroad Office (if the trip is within the United States the Education Abroad Application is not required).
    • *Parts I & II must be completed by the January 31 deadline to be considered for funding - please take this into account when planning your timeline to apply.
  • One reference from someone who is familiar with applicant’s volunteer/service history.
  • Applications must be submitted in full, including recommendation, by the published deadline.
  • No late/incomplete applications will be reviewed.
  • Service is based on spiritual and value development.
  • Service is not contingent on receiving academic credit.
  • Develop and submit a post-engagement video/presentation to demonstrate depth of learning. Share video/presentation with university students, civic groups, religious groups and local schools to promote community service.
  • Shared responsibility for your experience – this is a program that requires full engagement and participation.
Collaboration with the Study Abroad Office is used to determine if it is safe to send Dobson travelers to their destination of choice.  If a destination is deemed unsafe at the time of travel, any approved funding will be revoked. 

Application (Closes January 31st, 2026)

Letter of Recommendation (Closes January 31st, 2026)

Group Trip Profile - Group Leader Only (please fill out and email to Joshua Cauble at caublej@sc.edu)

2025 -  Presentations and Reflection Submission

 

Without Dobson, I would not have been able to have the experiences that I did. We were able to work alongside people that we never thought we would meet, and it provided an incredibly humbling and enlightening experience. I will forever be thankful to the Dobson organization for giving me the chance to have these experiences and to offer my service. 
-Paul Zito

 

 

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