Student Checklists
Each year you are in the program, you will be provided with a checklist, which will act as a curated guide of events aligned with our core competencies and the seven pathways. The checklists are meant to be used to identify the opportunities that will help you choose your pathway. The components of the checklists fall under the following categories.
Connect
Meet other service and/or civic-oriented students; build communities around shared interests.
Learn
Learn from faculty, community experts, staff, and others about public service and areas of service interest (your chosen pathway).
Your second year you will be expected to take a one-credit course.
The UNST 1410 - Democracy and Public Service course defines public service and introduces practices that support impactful service. Through speakers, readings, and reflection, students will begin to define their mission, recognize the power of collaboration, evaluate their strengths, and learn from challenges. Students will understand how personal rights and responsibilities of all combine to sustain democracy.
Serve
Volunteering, service-learning, community-engaged initiatives, etc.
Plan
Career visioning and preparation; networking with alumni and events.
Reflect
- Each semester after the first year you will be required to submit a written reflection.
Year 1
Connect
- Public Service Pathways Orientation
- Community Engagement 101 Workshop: Embracing a Service Mindset
Learn (Participate in 2)
- Designated lecture
- Charlottesville community lecture
- Pathways First Year Newsletter designated Learn event
Serve (Participate in 1)
- Day of Service with Student Engagement
- Explore a service-related student organization
- Join a Charlottesville community volunteer day
Plan
- Complete PathwayU - UVA Career Center's Identity & Values Assessment
- Create a Handshake account
Reflect
- Track and reflect on your experiences in Canvas.
Year 2
Connect
- Public Service Pathways Orientation (if not completed in Y1)
- Community Engagement 101 Workshop: Embracing a Service Mindset (if not completed in Y1)
- Pathway-specific student social
Learn
- Enroll in and complete the one-credit course: UNST 1410 - Democracy and Public Service (taken in either fall or spring semester)
- Pathway-specific Newsletter designated Learn event
Serve (Participate in 1)
- Day of Service with Student Engagement
- Join and commit to a Madison House program
- Join and commit to a service-related student organization
- Take a UVA Community Engaged Service-Learning Course
- Are you engaged in another type of service that isn't listed here? Check out how we define serve for PSP
Plan
- Through guest lectures in the UNST Democracy and Public Service - develop an understanding of the world of work within each of the 7 pathways
- Attend a Career Center Career Community Drop-In
Reflect
- Complete a reflection at the end of each semester and respond to feedback from your reflection reader. Identify an action step from the feedback.
Year 3
Connect
- Pathway-specific program hosted by the Student Advisory Council Co-Leads for your pathway
- Pathway-specific Fall or Spring Student Social
Learn (Participate in 2)
- Enroll in and complete the one-credit course: UNST 1410 - Democracy and Public Service (transfer students only)
- Community Engagement 101 Workshop: Embracing a Service Mindset (transfer students only)
- Attend a lecture, local event or Professional Conference aligned with your pathway
- Pathway-specific Newsletter designated learn event
- Take a course that aligns with your pathway
Serve (Participate in 1)
- Continued commitment to a Madison House program or service-related student organization
- Take a UVA Community Engaged Service-Learning Course
- Are you engaged in another type of service that isn't listed here? Check out how we define serve for PSP
Plan
- Apply and explore an opportunity related to your pathway: research, internship, job shadowing, field work, externship, etc.
Reflect
- Complete a reflection at the end of each semester and respond to feedback from your reflection reader. Identify an action step from the feedback.
Year 4
Connect
- Pathway-specific program hosted by the Student Advisory Council Co-Leads for your pathway
- Pathway-specific Fall or Spring Student Social
Learn (Participate in 2)
- Attend a lecture, local event, or professional conference aligned with your pathway
- Attend a pathway-specific newsletter designated learn event
- Take a course that aligns with your pathway
Serve (Participate in 1)
- Continued commitment to a Madison House program or service-related student organization
- Take a UVA Community Engaged Service-Learning Course
- Are you engaged in another type of service that isn't listed here? Check out how we define serve for PSP
Plan
- Apply and explore an opportunity related to your pathway: research, internship, job shadowing, field work, externship, etc.
Reflect
- Complete a reflection at the end of each semester and respond to feedback from your reflection reader. Identify an action step from the feedback.
Fourth Year Experience
*Optional for the Class of 2026 and Class of 2027, will be required for the Class of 2028 and beyond.
Choose one of the options below from a variety of hands-on, high-impact opportunities designed to help you deepen your commitment, build your network, and make a real-world difference. Opportunities include:
- Civic Cornerstone Fellowship
Partner with the Karsh Institute of Democracy in a prestigious fellowship focused on civic leadership and democratic engagement. - Capstone Integration
Infuse your public service values into your existing thesis or capstone project for your major. - Community Impact Project
Collaborate with peers to support a local nonprofit through a group-based initiative. - Alumni Mentorship & Dialogue
Connect with UVA alumni for meaningful conversations and guidance on your public service journey. - Spring Internship Placement
Gain hands-on experience with a local nonprofit or agency through a tailored internship in Spring 2026. - Mentor a Fellow Pathways Student
Share your insights and inspire younger students by serving as a mentor. - Career Center Workshop for Fourth-Years
Learn how to effectively market your Pathways experience to graduate schools and future employers.