URI Involvement Opportunities for Pre-Health Students
While there are 150+ student organizations and clubs, URI also offers multiple ways to become involved in the community and provide service hours.
Here are some of our favorite University of Rhode Island organizations and programs that provide meaningful experiences for pre-health students. Whether you’re interested in medicine, physician assistant, occupational therapy, physical therapy or other helping professions, these opportunities can help you develop leadership, communication, advocacy, and community engagement skills.
🚑 Community First Responder Program (CFRP)
Website: https://web.uri.edu/cfrp/
The URI Community First Responder Program educates community members about overdose prevention, harm reduction, and the use of naloxone (Narcan). Students can complete free training, participate in educational outreach, and gain valuable exposure to public health initiatives that directly impact Rhode Island communities. This is a great opportunity for students interested in medicine, pharmacy, public health, nursing, and behavioral health.
🤝 OCEA (Office of Civic Engagement & Community Partnerships)
Website: https://career.uri.edu/channels/civic-engagement-community-partnerships/
OCEA connects students with volunteer opportunities, nonprofit organizations, community-based learning, and service projects across Rhode Island. Service experience is highly valued by health professions programs, and OCEA makes it easy to find meaningful ways to engage with diverse populations while developing leadership and cultural competence.
🌱 URI Cooperative Extension
Website: https://web.uri.edu/coopext/
URI Cooperative Extension brings science-based education directly to Rhode Island communities through programs related to health, environmental science, food systems, agriculture, water quality, and community wellness. Students can explore internships, fellowships, volunteer opportunities, and community outreach experiences that strengthen public health and health education skills.
💜 URI Women’s Center
Website: https://web.uri.edu/womenscenter/
The Women’s Center provides programming, advocacy, education, and support focused on gender equity, wellness, and social justice. Students interested in healthcare professions can gain valuable insight into health disparities, advocacy, trauma-informed care, and community support systems while participating in events and initiatives that promote equity and wellbeing.
🩺 URI Health Services
Website: https://web.uri.edu/healthservices/
Health Services supports the physical and mental health needs of the URI community through medical care, counseling, wellness programs, health education, and advocacy services. Students can participate in health promotion activities, educational programs, and wellness initiatives while learning more about healthcare delivery in a college setting.
🫶 Violence Prevention & Advocacy Services (VPAS)
Website: https://web.uri.edu/vpas/
VPAS offers opportunities to engage in education, prevention programming, and advocacy surrounding interpersonal violence, consent, and survivor support. Students interested in medicine, nursing, public health, social work, counseling, psychology, and occupational therapy can gain valuable experience in trauma-informed care and health advocacy.
🧠 Health Promotion
Website: https://web.uri.edu/healthservices/
Part of Health Services, Health Promotion hosts wellness education, prevention campaigns, nutrition programs, and mental health initiatives throughout the year. This is a great way to gain experience in health education and community outreach.
🌈 Gender & Sexuality Center
Website: https://web.uri.edu/gsc/
Students interested in healthcare equity, patient advocacy, and serving diverse populations can get involved with programming, awareness initiatives, and community-building efforts through the Gender & Sexuality Center. Experiences working with LGBTQ+ populations are increasingly valued by healthcare professions programs.
🌍 Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC)
Website: https://web.uri.edu/mssc/
MSSC provides leadership, mentorship, and cultural programming opportunities. Participating in these programs can help students develop cultural humility and intercultural communication skills—important competencies for future healthcare providers.
🏠 Student Support and Advocacy Services
Website: https://web.uri.edu/student-support/
Students can engage with campus initiatives focused on student wellbeing, basic needs, and support resources. This provides exposure to social determinants of health and advocacy work that directly impacts student success.
🍽️ Rhody Outpost Food Pantry
Website: https://web.uri.edu/rhody-outpost/
Volunteering with the Rhody Outpost helps students better understand food insecurity and health inequities. These experiences are especially valuable for students interested in public health, medicine, nutrition, physician assistant studies, and social work.
👥 URI Peer Mentor and Other Programs
AEC Tutoring Website: https://web.uri.edu/aec/work/
URI Ambassador Website: https://web.uri.edu/newram/
CELS Peer Advisor Website: https://web.uri.edu/cels/student-resources/student-organizations/
Pre-Health Peer Advisor Website: https://career.uri.edu/resources/pre-health-peer-advisors-phpas/
Serving as an Orientation Leader, Peer Mentor, or Academic Peer Mentor helps students build communication, leadership, and teamwork skills—all qualities healthcare programs seek in applicants.
🌱 URI Center for Career & Experiential Education
Website: career.uri.edu
Students can connect with experiential learning opportunities, service-learning projects, internships, job shadowing programs, and community engagement experiences that complement their pre-health journey.