FAQs - Community Engagement Partnership

The Community Engagement Partnership (CEP) program offers a structured opportunity for students to take part in community service activities during the first two years of the undergraduate medical school journey at UIWSOM. This program is overseen by the CEP committee, which comprises a dedicated team of faculty, staff, and administrators committed to fostering meaningful community engagement. 

Within the CEP program, students will have the opportunity to engage directly with the community. This engagement aims to enhance students' understanding of the social determinants of health, health inequities, and the various factors contributing to health disparities across different stages of life. 

By emphasizing self-reliance and collaboration, students will form partnerships with various organizations and agencies within Bexar County, particularly focusing on San Antonio's city council districts 2 and 3. Through these collaborations, students will work alongside families, community organizations, and health providers to contribute to improved health outcomes, reduce health disparities, encourage community-responsive care, and explore effective strategies for achieving these objectives. 

This program is a vital part of our curriculum, providing an invaluable experience for students to apply their medical knowledge in real-world settings, thereby enhancing their academic and professional development. 

Starting with the class of 2027, all students must complete 24 hours of community engagement activities as part of their graduation requirements. These hours can be distributed in a way that aligns with each student's schedule, offering flexibility in how and when they are completed. For instance, students may choose to split their hours across their first two years or adjust as needed in their third and fourth years to reach the total requirement. 

The class of 2026 will have a different requirement, needing to fulfill 12 hours of service to graduate. 

For those who go above and beyond, dedicating more than 48 hours to community service during their four years, a certificate for Outstanding Community Engagement will be awarded. This exceptional contribution will also be highlighted in the Dean’s Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) letter, recognizing the significant commitment to community engagement. 

Some students may find an occasion to volunteer at an event that isn’t sponsored by CEP. Your participation at a non-CEP event may qualify for community engagement hours but requires approval. The event must meet these qualifications:

• The event aims to provide a benefit to the community, especially the underserved.
• You volunteered for the event and did not receive any compensation for taking part.
• The event took place no earlier than the first day of the current academic year. For example, an activity that took place in a previous academic year will not qualify.
• The event is verifiable in at least one of the following ways:
  • Provide proof of registration with your name and details about your role in the event.
  • Provide a photo of you volunteering at the event.
  • Provide a letter from the volunteer coordinator that confirms your participation.
• Contact info and the name of the volunteer coordinator must be provided if your participation needs to be verified by CEP.

To request approval for a past non-CEP event: 

• Contact the community engagement coordinator with the details of the event: adzuniga@uiwtx.edu.
• If approved, the CEP coordinator will provide a link to input the event into GivePulse.
• If not approved, the CEP coordinator will notify the student by email. 

To request approval for an upcoming non-CEP event: 

• Contact the community engagement coordinator no less than 10 days before the event: adzuniga@uiwtx.edu.  
• If approved, the CEP coordinator will provide a link to input the event into GivePulse. 
• If not approved, the CEP coordinator will notify the student by email. 
• After the event, complete the post-event reflection.