
Tech on the Slopes: PLU computer science students create a scheduling app for White Pass ski patrollers
For years, White Pass Ski Patrol volunteers juggled schedules with paper spreadsheets and manual tracking – until a team of students helped create a solution. “We needed something more efficient, something that actually worked for us,” said Chuck Caley, a longtime ski patroller and…

Bridging Borders: PLU nursing students gain global health experience in Oaxaca
“I am forever changed by the people of Oaxaca, Mexico. Through direct community engagement, I learned how to meet people where they are and build trusting and meaningful rapport despite language barriers.” – Claire Hindman ’26, PLU Nursing Student What happens when classroom learning meets…

Internships, Arts, and Advocacy: Gavin Ripka’s community-based learning experience
With a triple major, multiple internships, three study away trips, and lots of participation in campus life, Gavin Ripka ’25 is soaking up as many experiences as he can at PLU. We caught up with Ripka to learn more about his most recent internship experience…

When community is the classroom – students learn through service in J-Term on the Hill course
At Pacific Lutheran University, service is a core value. That ethos is embodied in “J-Term on the Hill,” a social work class in which education is grounded in real-world impact. “It’s not a typical class,” notes Assistant Professor of Social Work Douglas Epps , who…