The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between character strengths and orientations toward community service in university students within a Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) program. Our motivating aim is to support a sense of moral responsibility to the community in CSD students. Prior research suggests that service-learning experiences and voluntary community engagement are influenced by individual character strengths and attitudes toward moral responsibility. Yet, the nature of these relationships remains uncharacterized and unexplored in CSD students. Participants will complete the Values in Action (VIA) Character Strengths Survey and the Community Service Attitudes Scale (CSAS), with factor analysis conducted to examine the underlying structure of the CSAS and correlation analyses assessing relationships between character strengths and dimensions of community service orientation. By identifying key relationships between character strengths and community service attitudes, our results will inform the development and design of educational experiences and service-learning opportunities that consider character-related factors to enhance and cultivate students’ moral purpose toward community engagement. Data collection is ongoing, and preliminary findings will guide future interventions to support students in developing a more profound commitment to service.
