The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) awarded Notre Dame a spot on the 2014 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.
Director of Community Engagement for the Office of Public Affairs Jay Caponigro said the honor roll recognizes the University’s commitment to three categories: community service, education and economic development.
“Each year, colleges and universities are invited to share stories about their engagement in the community,” Caponigro said. “Unique to this year's application, ND was recognized in all three categories where we applied.”
According to the CNCS, the presidential award is presented to institutions that “support exemplary community service programs and raise the visibility of effective practices in campus community partnerships.”
Although Notre Dame has received honor distinctions in the community service category in the past, Caponigro said this is the first year the University applied and received recognition for the categories of education and economic development.
“Notre Dame has been recognized as 'Honor Roll' recipient or 'Honor Roll with Distinction' or 'Honor Roll Finalist' for five of the six years this award has been given,” he said.
Due to the University’s interest and subsequent participation in both national and international endeavors, Caponigro said Notre Dame is constantly expanding its education and development programs.
“I believe Notre Dame received this recognition because we demonstrated breadth of student and faculty involvement, an infrastructure to support community-based activities and the institutional commitment to engagement that mutually impacts community and campus participants,” he said.
The University’s 2014 application featured numerous examples of student, faculty and staff engagement in the community, Caponigro said. Although the majority of students partake in some form of service, the director of community engagement said service is less about the number of people involved and more about the impact and mutual benefits that impact both volunteers and the community at large.
Caponigro said key areas of involvement for the 2014 year included work in youth theater and entrepreneurship at the Robinson Community Learning Center as well as academic support and tutoring at non-profits.
Local schools were widely supported, and broad volunteer service also occurred as a result of efforts conducted through CommUniversity Day, Caponigro said. Additionally, community development partnerships were fostered with the Northeast Neighborhood, a neighborhood association in South Bend.
“Our office joins with many departments and staff across campus to invite students to continue to engage the community in meaningful partnerships and service opportunities,” he said. “We welcome innovative student-leaders hoping to create new projects in the community as well as support long-standing efforts with community partners that demonstrate impact year after year.”
