Community Service
With a deep focus on the ideals of a holistic education, Community Engagement ignites student potential through involvement in the community that is intended to spark personal, institutional, and community change.
Vision
Centenary University's Community Engagement seeks to prepare students for the professional world through service.
Approach
We encourage our students to engage in project-based service that will add transferable workplace skills to their resume. Many students are uncertain about their direction, and our goal is to connect them with experiences in the community that will help them find their niche before they graduate. Centenary mandates a graduation requirement of ten volunteer service hours for all traditional undergraduate students in order to promote student development. The Office of Community Engagement is available to support students in completing their requirement through a variety of initiatives.
Initiatives:
Alternate Spring Break
All Centenary students have the opportunity to participate in a week of service with their peers during spring break. A variety of locations are available each year. In the past groups have served in Hackettstown, the greater New Jersey area, and abroad.
Midnight Run
Each semester during the school year a group of students and staff travel to Manhattan to distribute resources to people experiencing homelessness. This program is run in collaboration with our long-time community partner Midnight Run, and our efforts are supported through generous donations from the local and university community. This eye-opening experience is something every Centenary student should participate in at least once.
National Days of Service
Centenary observes three National Days of Service: September 11th, MLK Day, and Make a Difference Day. Programming and service opportunities are available to all of campus through the Office of Community Engagement in honor of these days.