California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) has been placed with “distinction” on the 2015 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll in the “General Community Service” category for its commitment to community service, service-learning and civic engagement.
The highest federal honor that universities can receive for their commitment for volunteer service, the honor roll recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that support exemplary community service programs and raise the visibility of best practices in campus community partnerships. A total of 14 California State University (CSU) campuses were recognized this year. CSU Channel Islands, CSU Fresno, and San Francisco State were also honored with distinction.
This is the fifth time the university has been on the honor roll “with distinction;” it previously was placed on it from 2009 through 2012. In 2013 it was a “finalist” for the honor roll’s highest honor, the Presidential Award, before receiving the top honor in 2014.
“It is an honor to be consistently recognized for the exceptional work our students, faculty and staff do each year engaging and lifting up local communities, and those across the globe,” said CSUDH President Willie J. Hagan.
We are a compassionate campus community, dedicated to creating the next generation of leaders by challenging our students to tackle tough issues and create positive impacts in the community.”
CSU Dominguez Hills’ commitment to community engagement is infused in academics, with more than 300 classes having a service component. Each year, students average 150,000 hours of community service through campus organizations and their classes. Sixty-five percent of CSUDH students engage in service learning, both through the formal curriculum and the university’s service learning hub, the Center for Service Learning, Internships, and Civic Engagement (SLICE).
“Our students and faculty regularly volunteer and mentor youth, from pre-school through high school, on topics ranging from college preparation, job interviewing to negotiation, homework help, and conflict resolution,” said Cheryl McKnight, director of SLICE. “Alumni and emeritus faculty are also strongly committed to serving our communities. Hopefully, this award will inspire others to value community service as an important teaching practice as well as for the transformational qualities it provides our students.”
