Welcome to the Center for Civic Engagement & Social Impact (CCESI)! If you’re interested in community service, volunteering, service-learning, social advocacy, voting, and other meaningful ways to make a positive impact in your local, national, and global communities, you’ve come to the right place. From hunger and homelessness to educational inequities, our programs and services – including the WCU Resource Pantry – provide students with a wide range of impactful opportunities to learn about and address issues of public concern. Through our mutually beneficial partnerships with community-based organizations, we strive to equip all students with the knowledge and skills to participate effectively in democratic life as agents of positive social change.
Please explore our website for opportunities, programs, and services specific to students, faculty, community partners, and the WCU Resource Pantry. If you are unable to find what you’re looking for here, please do not hesitate to contact a member of our team directly!
Announcements and Upcoming Events
Volunteer & Non-Profit Internship Fair
The name of the Fair on Handshake is Non-Profit Volunteer & Internship Fair.
For employers:
The Career Development Center at WCU is partnering with the Center for Civic Engagement and Social Impact to help you interact with students and alumni who are interested in learning more
about your volunteer, internship and job opportunities or who are interested in connecting
with you to discuss your organization. At the Fall 2022 Non-Profit & Volunteer Fair, you’ll be able to engage with students who are ready to make a difference and are
looking forward to connecting with you.
- Non-Profit Volunteer & Internship Fair
- 10/19/22 from 2 pm to 5 pm
- Ballrooms at Sykes Student Union on campus
- This is an invitation only event, so use this link to register on Handshake.
- Here is a help article from Handshake about creating your account
Contact Phyllis Schoen, pschoen@wcupa.edu with any questions. We greatly value your commitment to our offices and the students and alumni at WCU.
Handshake Registration Link View the Volunteer & Non-Profit Internship Fair Flyer
NEW Benefits Hub page
The Benefits Hub will be hosting a SNAP registration event Thursday, February 23rd in Sykes 210 and Zoom. Please register here!
Check out our new Benefits Hub page! We have support for many different public benefits to help you gain access to things you may already qualify for!
Benefits Hub General Inquiry Form
The Center for Civic Engagement & Social Impact is hiring!
We have many student staff positions available for students to participate in our civic leadership programming. Ideal applicants are WCU students committed to the ideals of public service, active citizenship, and the promotion of positive social change.
In addition to receiving on-going leadership and development training, students may be eligible to receive financial compensation to help them sustain their passion and commitment to contributing to the common good.
Click here to learn more about the positions we have available!
Volunteering amid COVID-19
Due to the spread of COVID-19, please consider remote or virtual volunteer opportunities. Learn more about where and how you can support communities through remote or virtual modalities.
Achievements
President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll
"The President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, launched in 2006,
annually highlights the role colleges and universities play in solving community problems
and placing more students on a lifelong path of civic engagement by recognizing institutions
that achieve meaningful, measurable outcomes in the communities they serve."
The Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement Classification for Curricular Engagement and Outreach and Partnerships
West Chester University is part of 3% of colleges and universities nationwide that
have received this award. The award honors our institutional focus on community engagement
and exemplary exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and
reciprocity with local communities.
(http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/initiatives/honorroll.asp, 10/24/12)
Achievements
President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll
"The President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, launched in 2006,
annually highlights the role colleges and universities play in solving community problems
and placing more students on a lifelong path of civic engagement by recognizing institutions
that achieve meaningful, measurable outcomes in the communities they serve."
The Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement Classification for Curricular Engagement and Outreach and Partnerships
West Chester University is part of 3% of colleges and universities nationwide that
have received this award. The award honors our institutional focus on community engagement
and exemplary exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and
reciprocity with local communities.
(http://www.nationalservice.gov/about/initiatives/honorroll.asp, 10/24/12)