The Office of Community Engagement
Vision
The Office of Community Engagement at CSUN integrates meaningful service into our academic experiences through service learning, engaged research and sustained partnerships with our surrounding communities.
Our Mission
The Office of Community Engagement—based on the principles of reciprocity, civic responsibility, and democratic values—seeks to:
1. Enrich scholarship and enhance curriculum
2. Create high impact engagement practices
3. Sustain reciprocal community and academic partnerships
4. Prepare educated, engaged citizens
Definition of “Community Engagement”
Community engagement describes collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.Our Purpose
The Office of Community Engagement at CSUN enriches scholarship, research and creative activity; enhances curriculum, teaching and learning; prepares educated, engaged citizens; strengthens democratic values and civic responsibility; addresses critical societal issues; and contributes to the public good. We work to create high impact community engagement opportunities based on the principles of reciprocity, viability and community connectivity.
Definition of “Service-Learning”
Service Learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. Faculty choose a limited number of meaningful partnerships with the goal of providing students with different, but consistent off-campus learning experiences. Through service learning, students-from kindergartners to college students-use what they learn in the classroom to solve real-life problems. They not only learn the practical applications of their studies, they become actively contributing citizens and community members through the service they performThe Office of Community Engagement at CSUN integrates meaningful service into our academic experiences through service learning, engaged research and sustained partnerships with our surrounding communities.
Community Partnerships
Currently, CSUN is partnered with 643 organizations in and around the Los Angeles area. Listed below are just a few of our community partners:
- Friends of the Family (North Hills)
- 826 LA (Los Angeles)
- Afton Canyon Natural Area (Barstow)
- AIDS Project Los Angeles (Los Angeles)
- American Cancer Society, Inc. (Pasadena)
- Creative Age Publications (Van Nuys)
- Creative Planet School of the Arts (Baldwin Park)
- Demetra Design (Los Angeles)
- Domestic Abuse Center (Van Nuys)
- Eating Disorder Center for California (Brentwood)
- Los Angeles Team Mentoring (Los Angeles)
- Pacoima Beautiful (Pacoima)
- Therapeutic Living Centers for the Blind (Reseda)
- Variety Boys & Girls Club (Los Angeles)
- We Lift LA (Tarzana)
- Wildlife Learning Center (Sylmar)
- YMCA – Mid Valley (Van Nuys)
If you are interested in volunteering or need service-learning hours, you can view all of our community partners by clicking here.
