CSU Channel Islands (CI) has been named to the 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. This university-wide distinction is the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement.
CI’s President Rush commented, “This award is a testament to the commitment CI faculty, staff and students have to serving their community. It is particularly meaningful for CI as it validates our mission to incorporate service into the courses we teach and graduate students who are prepared to help solve the challenging social problems we face.”
Seven hundred institutions of higher learning were named to the Honor Roll for exemplary service to America’s communities. The award recipients were announced by the Corporation for National and Community Service, in collaboration with the Department of Education, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact and the American Council on Education.
Since its inception 6 years ago, CI has been committed to making service learning and civic engagement an integral part of its curriculum and student life. The university has reached out to the community to form reciprocal partnerships that have provided real benefits to the community and the campus.
In any given semester CI students join their faculty to develop innovative programs and projects to meet local needs using the skills gained in their classrooms. Some of these projects include: tutoring homeless children, creating a public health campaign, and contributing to the restoration of New Orleans. Click here for a more detailed list of service projects.
CI partners with many community-based organizations who play an integral role in our student’s education. In 2009 these partnerships resulted in CI students completing 4,000 service hours, volunteering, and/or participating in service-learning or civic engagement projects. Using California’s calculated rate of $22.00 for each volunteer hour, CI students gave $319,060 of economic benefit to the community in 2009.
