Give Your Time, Make an Impact: Volunteer at Upstate This Summer
Give Your Time, Make an Impact: Volunteer at Upstate This Summer
Looking for a meaningful way to give back to the Syracuse community this summer? The Upstate Summer 2026 College Student Volunteer Program offers students the opportunity to support patients, families, and healthcare staff while gaining valuable experience inside a hospital setting.
Whether you’re exploring a future in healthcare, interested in service, or simply want to contribute your time in a meaningful way, volunteering at Upstate allows you to be part of a team dedicated to care, compassion, and community impact.
College volunteers are an essential part of the hospital environment, bringing energy, perspective, and dedication that positively affects the patient experience. Through this program, you can:
- Make a tangible difference in the lives of patients and visitors
- Learn how a hospital operates behind the scenes
- Develop professionalism, empathy, and communication skills
- Work alongside healthcare professionals in a supportive environment
- Explore interests in healthcare, leadership, or community engagement
Volunteer roles vary and may include greeting and escorting patients and visitors, assisting hospital staff with errands, delivering items, or helping stock and organize supplies. Every role contributes to the smooth functioning of patient care.
Volunteers should visit the Upstate College Volunteers website and fill out the application form. Students who have previously been accepted as Upstate volunteers should not reapply and instead contact volunteer@upstate.edu with questions.
To ensure a meaningful experience, volunteers are expected to:
- Commit to one 4-hour shift per week
- Be available for the entire semester, missing no more than two shifts
- Attend a mandatory virtual orientation the week prior to the session start
Applicants must:
- Be enrolled in 16 or fewer credits during the semester of participation
- Be in their second semester of college or later (first-semester freshmen are not eligible)
- Note that volunteer hours cannot be used to fulfill course-based fieldwork, practicum, or internship requirements
Accepted volunteers must complete standard hospital clearances, including:
- A commercial background check
- Proof of immunity to Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella
- Tuberculosis screening from a personal medical provider
- A physical exam completed within one year of the start date
Volunteering at Upstate is more than a weekly shift, it’s an opportunity to grow personally and professionally while serving the Syracuse community in a direct and impactful way. If you’re looking to gain experience, build skills, and give back this summer, this program offers a rewarding place to start.
Applications close March 6, 2026 at 4:00 PM, please be sure to apply early.