Community and External Engagement

Two new centers of excellence—the Center for Community Engagement and the Center for Ethics and Leadership—represent ways Alvernia will advance its Franciscan identity and connect to people and organizations beyond campus. With a reciprocal commitment to strengthen student learning while also strengthening the quality of life in the communities Alvernia serves, the Center for Community Engagement will identify, cultivate, and sustain strategic partnerships that leverage campus talent and expertise in productive collaborations with key organizations and community members.

The Center for Ethics and Leadership will build on Alvernia’s tradition of intellectual as well as moral and ethical development. By promoting interdisciplinary dialogue among Alvernia faculty and students, representatives of local and regional communities, and colleagues far beyond, the Center will provide collaborative scholarship and service opportunities to extend Alvernia’s commitment to leadership and service education.

Investments in the Centers of Excellence through the Values & Vision campaign will provide funding for workshops, seminars, and a new lecture series as well as fellowships and scholarships for students and faculty members.