In recognition of California State University, Dominguez Hills’ (CSUDH) commitment to serving the community and providing students with meaningful opportunities to enhance their academics, John Kelly, deputy chief of staff for the Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS), will present the Presidential Award for higher education community service to University President Willie J. Hagan at the second annual CSUDH Community Engagement Symposium on March 25.
The presentation will take place at 1:30 p.m. The symposium is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. in the Loker Student Union Ballroom C.
CSUDH was one of only four institutions across the country to receive CNCS’s President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll’s highest honor, the Presidential Award, and the only institution that received the award in the General Community Service category.
During 2013-2014 academic year, for which the award honors, more than 300 classes at CSUDH had a service component and 65 percent of students engaged in service learning or volunteerism as part of their coursework or through opportunities through the campus’ Center for Service Learning, Internships and Civic Engagement. That translated to more than 9,500 students logging over 150,000 hours of community service, which has created a positive economic impact of approximately $3.3 million.
A number of service projects that are credited with helping the university receive the national recognition will be highlighted at the Community Engagement Symposium. The afternoon will also include a keynote address by Vivian Price, associate professor of interdisciplinary studies and labor studies, “Service Learning with Students of Color, Working Class and Immigrant Students: Expanding a Popular Pedagogical,” and presentations by Vice Provost Mitch Maki, “Playing for Real, Mitigating Obesity among Community’s Youth;” Michele Bury, Art and Design Department chair, “Design for Social Change;” and Pablo Garcia-Hernandez, director of education for Woodcraft Rangers, “Expanded Learning: Partnerships between Schools, Community-based Organizations and Higher Learning Institutions.”
The Center for Service Learning, Internships and Civic Engagement also will honor Sophia Momand, staff physician in Student Health and Psychological Services with its Community Hero Award, and JusticeCorps, Jumpstart, Behavioral Health Services and NVISION with its Outstanding Community Partner Awards.
