Faith & Service
At UP, we believe that faith isn’t just a mindset—it’s an action. Rooted in the mission of the Congregation of Holy Cross, University of Portland educates the whole person: head, heart, and hands. As a university dedicated to lifting you up and strengthening your spirit, we ensure faith, leadership, and service are woven into the student experience, helping you connect your values to your aspirations.
Whether you choose to engage in Campus Ministry, hands-on service, or ethical leadership programs, we invite you to reflect deeply, act with purpose, and grow in community. Here, we’re building a future of hope, one student at a time.
Urban Immersion Program in Portland
Spend your breaks immersed in Portland’s diverse communities, learning directly from local organizations and confronting real-world challenges like poverty, houselessness, addiction, and food insecurity.
Faith & Service Events
Lift UP Your Harps
Mo Briare ‘92, ‘04 has spent her life serving others as a nurse, musician, and composer of sacred music. Now, she’s teaching UP nursing students how to use music to support both their patients’ healing and their own well-being.
Faith-Based Centers & Opportunities
Discover the many ways you can engage with UP’s mission of faith and service through academic, spiritual, and leadership-focused centers and opportunities.
Campus Ministry
From Bible studies and impactful discussions to service projects and retreats, Campus Ministry encourages students of all faiths to come together to explore spirituality and build an authentic community that prays, worships, serves, and supports one another.
Moreau Center for Service and Justice
The Moreau Center empowers students to get involved in local, national, and international service opportunities from their first year and beyond. Explore immersion programs, paid nonprofit work study jobs, volunteerism, and more.
Garaventa Center for Catholic Intellectual Life & American Culture
Where faith meets culture, the Garaventa Center fosters dialogue between Catholic intellectual life and contemporary society through free lectures, performances, and publications.
Franz Center
The Franz Center helps students develop into impactful leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators through hands-on experiences, academic minors, and professional certificate programs. UP is one of only 25 U.S. universities to receive the Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose Classification for advancing leadership in pursuit of justice.
Dundon-Berchtold Institute for Moral Formation & Applied Ethics
Explore complex ethical issues in real-world contexts with the Dundon-Berchtold Institute, whose mission is to advance moral reflection through research, mentorship, internships, and constructive conversation.
Residence Life Leadership
Living on campus? Want to make an impact on our residence halls? Learn more about paid leadership positions as a Resident Assistant.
Put Your Faith in Action
At University of Portland, you won’t just learn about the world—you’ll help shape it with compassion and conviction. Whether you seek to deepen your faith, discover your purpose, or encourage others through service, you’ll join a community that makes it possible.