Abstract
In this study, we explored whether college students’ motivations for participating in community service were associated with their perceptions that service enhanced their desire to continue participating in community- focused activities after graduation, after statistically controlling for demographic variables and other variables of interest. Motivations for participating in community service were categorized in a matrix developed under the framework of Ryan and Deci’s (2000) self-determination theory. The sample consisted of undergraduate students enrolled in nine large, public research universities (N = 7,823). Results supported our primary hypothesis that, after statistically controlling for demographic variables, college experiences, and interest in service, students’ motivations accounted for statistically significant unique variance in their reported desire for post-graduation community service.