Developing leadership capacity at all volunteer levels is a primary focus. Volunteers are expected to go beyond passive participation and the completion of specific tasks. They serve as mentors, tutors, and teachers. All volunteers receive training and close supervision from both Beans and Rice staff and experienced volunteers.

Service-Learning Students Radford University faculty use Beans and Rice, Inc. as a service-learning site placement. Student volunteers are placed in local after-school programs and serve approximately 30 hours per semester including three trainings. Departments that have placed students include education, mathematics, and sociology. Students interested in a service-learning placement are invited to submit an online application.

Internships Interns are also placed in the after school program and tend to serve every day of the program (based on the hours they need) and take more of a leadership role. The most frequent source of interns is the Radford University Social Work program.

Field placement/ practicum Graduate programs at Radford University have also placed their students. These programs have included: Special Education, Educational Psychology, Occupational Therapy, and Reading Specialist.