Cardinal Commitment
Get support for your commitment of three quarters or more to a community, organization, or issue.
Cardinal Commitment offers advising, funding, connection to the community, training, and opportunities to reflect—all you need to improve your sustained public service.
Join a community with purpose
You may already be part of a student organization or volunteering with a community partner – go you! Now might be a good time to make a long-term commitment. Pledge to stick with it for three quarters or more by declaring your Cardinal Commitment.
Make your Commitment
Not already working with a student org or community partner? There are over a hundred student organizations doing service work at Stanford. Get started by browsing the opportunities on this website. Use the filters to find opportunities in areas you’re interested in.
Browse opportunities
The program has three different types of Cardinal Commitment to better match your public service goals: Engagement, Leadership, and Impact.
Completion of an engagement, leadership, or impact Commitment qualifies students for participation in the Public Service Leadership Program (PSLP). Students who complete PSLP are eligible to have their commitment reflected on their academic transcript with the Cardinal Service Notation.
Learn more
How to Make a Cardinal Commitment
There are three steps to making a Cardinal Commitment:
- Make your Commitment.
Create a personal mission statement that guides your work. Incorporate your public service goals and outcomes into your mission statement. Use this mission statement to officially “Declare” your Cardinal Commitment, which starts the process. - Engage in service work.
Work with your community or issue for at least three quarters, while continually reflecting on your mission statement. Use the Principles of Ethical and Effective Service to guide you. - Certify completion.
After at least three quarters, you can conclude your Cardinal Commitment by certifying. You will be allowed to certify at the end of your Commitment, where you will provide a concise reflection on your experiences.
Resources
Resources for students pursuing a Cardinal Commitment and Cardinal Commitment partner organizations are provided through the Haas Center for Public Service. E-mail us to set up an advising appointment.
Mission Statements
When declaring your Cardinal Commitment, you'll describe your goals or commitments in a mission statement of 100 words or less. Here are some examples:
I am committed to providing health care in underserved areas as a means of making the world a better, more equitable place and inspiring others to do the same.
- Shannon Richardson, '20
I am committed to proliferating the spirit of public service across my dorm community and encouraging others in my dorm to seek out their own public service opportunities.
- Oluremi Akindele, '21
I am committed to providing educational mentorship to help younger students uncover unrealized opportunities.
- Jacob Pressman, '20
Featured Commitment Organizations
Advising
Need more information? Get started by meeting with Cardinal Commitment program staff to discuss your public service interests, get advice on finding an organization to work with, and learn about declaring and certifying a Cardinal Commitment.
E-mail cardinalcommitment@stanford.edu to set up an advising appointment.