About Our Four Focus Areas

College Corps fellows serving in the community

Where You'll Serve

Every College Corps fellow is placed with a community partner organization in one of four focus areas addressing pressing needs across San Luis Obispo County. Your site assignment is where you'll spend the majority of your 450 service hours — and where you'll make your biggest impact.

When you apply, you'll have the opportunity to rank your focus area preferences. Placements are made based on your interests, availability, and the needs of our community partners.

The Four Focus Areas

Climate Action

K–12 Education

Food Insecurity

Healthy Futures

Climate Action

Fellows in Climate Action support outreach, education, and planning initiatives focused on sustainability, decarbonization, and building more resilient communities across SLO County.

What You Might Do

  • Operate outreach and education programs for climate change organizations
  • Plan, organize, and participate in urban greening projects
  • Contribute to city and county decarbonization plans covering transportation, waste, buildings, utilities, and wastewater
  • Train professional and recreational farmers and K–12 students in regenerative agriculture techniques
  • Study energy use in buildings and assess the feasibility of replacing gas appliances with electric
  • Assess incentive programs for electrification in residential buildings
 College Corps fellow working on a climate project

Climate Action Partners

Bike SLO County · Cal Poly SLO – Sustainability / Green Campus · City of San Luis Obispo · Earth Shine Org · Ecologistics, Inc. · ECOSLO · HomeFront EJ / Ecologistics / MBEAM · Morro Coast Audubon Society · San Luis Obispo Beaver Brigade · SLO Climate Coalition · The Land Conservancy of SLO County

→ Learn more about our Community Host Partners

K–12 Education

Fellows in K–12 Education collaborate with local schools and organizations to provide vital academic support, mentorship, and enrichment to children across the county.

College Corps fellow mentoring a student

What You Might Do

  • Serve as a mentor, tutor, or assistant teacher
  • Coach students in after-school sports programs
  • Create curriculum, lesson plans, and activities
  • Develop, present, and facilitate workshops, training sessions, or tours
  • Plan, organize, or lead events, programs, or community projects

Returning K–12 Education Partners

Bike SLO County · Downtown SLO · Morro Coast Audubon Society · San Luis Coastal Unified School District · San Luis Obispo County Office of Education – Early Care & Education Planning Council

→ Learn more about our Community Host Partners

Food Insecurity

Fellows in Food Insecurity serve with local and on-campus food banks, farms, and community organizations working to ensure that everyone in SLO County has access to nutritious food.

What You Might Do

  • Prepare and serve food and learn the standards for food safety
  • Sort donated goods and supplies
  • Support harvesting, gathering, and picking produce for community distribution
  • Gather, analyze, and study food insecurity data
  • Plan, organize, or lead events, programs, or community projects
 College Corps fellow at a food bank or farm

Returning Food Insecurity Partners

Cal Poly Food Pantry · Cal Poly Organic Farm · City Farm SLO · FirstFruits Farm · SLO Food Bank

→ Learn more about our Community Host Partners

Healthy Futures

Fellows in Healthy Futures address the health and well-being needs of the SLO County community — supporting outreach, education, and direct service that helps people live healthier lives.

College Corps fellow at a community health event

What You Might Do

  • Support outreach and education initiatives focused on nutrition, wellness, and healthy lifestyle choices
  • Plan, organize, and participate in community health awareness projects
  • Collaborate with local organizations to promote access to healthcare services and resources
  • Provide health education and support to community members
  • Help clients develop skills for independent living, including budgeting, time management, and accessing community resources
  • Collect and analyze data related to community health outcomes and program effectiveness

Returning Healthy Futures Partners

SLO NOOR · Woods Humane Society

→ Learn more about our Community Host Partners

Ready to Find Your Focus Area?

When you apply for College Corps, you'll have the chance to share your interests and rank your preferred focus areas. Placements are made thoughtfully based on your preferences and the needs of our partners.

→ Fill Out the Interest Form

Questions? Contact us at collegecorps@calpoly.edu

Related Content