At the Residential College, learning does not stop at the classroom door. Through community engagement, you put your studies into action by working alongside people across Ann Arbor, Detroit, and beyond. Whether you are tutoring a child, helping someone seeking asylum, or performing Shakespeare under the open sky, you build real relationships and real skills while contributing to the communities you join.
These programs are open to LSA and RC students of all majors and backgrounds, and many connect to RC courses so you can earn credit for the work you do.
What you'll gain
Community engagement in the RC is hands-on by design. Along the way you can expect to:
- Apply your language skills, writing, and creative skills in real-world settings
- Build lasting connections with community partners and fellow students
- Deepen your understanding of social issues like immigration, food justice, and access to education
- Earn academic credit through many of our linked courses
Check Out Student Voices
Explore by area
Education and Tutoring
Put your time and language skills to work helping others learn, from tutoring local children to supporting adults building new lives in the U.S. Programs include Freedom House Detroit and PALMA.
Internships and Service
Get involved beyond the classroom in gardens, neighborhoods, and organizations across Michigan and Detroit, earning credit while contributing real work. Programs include the East Quad Garden, Semester in Detroit, and the Spanish Language Internship Program.
Theater and Arts
Use theater, writing, and the arts to connect the RC with communities on and off campus, collaborating with people of many backgrounds. Programs include the Prison Creative Arts Project, Shakespeare in the Arb, and Telling It.
Get involved
Ready to start? Browse the areas above to find a program that fits your interests, and reach out to the contact listed on each program's page. Not sure where to begin? Contact the RC at rescollege@umich.edu and we will help you find the right fit.
Last Updated: 07/31/2026
