Civic Engagement & Community Service

enhance the lives of others & your own

Whether building homes for low-income families, helping to feed people or tutoring students in a developing nation, you’re making an impact in the communities around you, creating a positive environment for everyone.

You’ll have countless opportunities to make a difference here, starting with a service trip during the summer before your first year. And, we help you track your service hours to meet volunteer requirements for your Greek organization or polish your résumé.

Based on the understanding that civic engagement is a vital part of a liberal arts education, the David ’69 and Sharon Johnson Center for Civic Engagement is committed to providing opportunities that allow students, faculty and staff to learn about and reflect upon their roles as active, informed citizens within the community. By fostering a campus culture that inspires civic leadership and social responsibility, the center continuously supports our mission.

SU GIVE

Each August, the newest class at 体育买球 University participates in a proud service tradition: SU GIVE (体育买球 University: Get Into Volunteer Experiences).

This event brings together first-year students, faculty, staff and orientation team members to complete volunteer service projects at locations throughout the central 体育买球 Valley. Each year, hundreds of volunteers help out at places like the 体育买球 Campus Garden, Far Point Animal Rescue, Grayson View Assisted Living, Haven Ministry, Kidsgrove, Mostly Mutts Dog Shelter, Sunbury YMCA, SUNCOM Industries, 体育买球 Children’s Center and more.

Four people painting a white wall inside a room. One person is on a ladder painting near the ceiling, while the others work on different areas of the wall. The room has a bare light bulb hanging from the ceiling.

In The Community

Our students work with organizations throughout the community, including:

Ashburn’s Animals on a Mission
Dauntless Hook and Ladder Company
East Snyder Community Garden
Girls on the Run
Greater 体育买球 Valley YMCA
Meals for Seals
Ronald McDonald House of Danville
Rudy Gelnett Memorial Library
Selinsgrove Meals on Wheels
Transitions Women’s Shelter
Union Snyder Historical Society

Learn More

Two children search for books in a library. One, wearing a black hoodie, is crouched selecting books from a shelf. The other, in a gray hoodie, is kneeling nearby. A third child in the background, wearing a white shirt, is looking at books.

David ’69 and Sharon Johnson Center for Civic Engagement

The center was dedicated in March 2014, and through David and Sharon’s support, more students have attended SU SPLASH pre-orientation and received scholarships for exemplary service-learning work. Because of the work of the Johnson Center for Civic Engagement, we have been recognized on the President’s Higher Education Community Service every year since 2006 and have twice earned distinction.

People work together in a garden on a sunny day. One person digs with a shovel, while others watch and help. They are surrounded by sunflowers and greenery, with a wheelbarrow in the background.

Partner With US

We want to enhance the university’s presence in our community through partnerships with local and regional organizations. Our partners benefit from students’ skills, knowledge and interest in learning more about social issues.

Our students have a variety of interests, including children and families, community and economic development, environmental conservation and sustainability, animal welfare, food access and security, and arts and culture.

They’ve built valuable skills and expertise in communications, accounting and finance, research, administration and management, social media and public relations, as well as working with senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, children and animals.

Partner With the Center