College named to President’s Community Service Honor Roll

Marline Johnson '13 and a student work on an art project as part of ENRICH, the College's new extended learning time program for students at New London's Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School.
Marline Johnson '13 and a student work on an art project as part of ENRICH, the College's new extended learning time program for students at New London's Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School.

Connecticut College has been named to the President's 2013 Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll in recognition of extraordinary community learning and volunteer efforts by the College and its students. This is the fifth time Connecticut College has been included on the list since it was first published in 2006.

The honor roll, compiled yearly by the Corporation for National and Community Service, recognizes colleges and universities nationwide that support innovative and effective community service and service-learning programs.

“Connecticut College students, faculty and staff are committed to our local and global communities,” President Leo I. Higdon Jr. said. “This honor recognizes the impact of that commitment.”

Each year, more than 500 Connecticut College students volunteer, intern, work and study in local schools, agencies and other non-profits. Tracee Reiser, associate dean for community learning and director of Connecticut College's Office of Volunteers for Community Service, said dedicated students, staff and faculty work with members of the greater New London community to develop relationships and projects that have mutually beneficially outcomes.

For example, the College launched two new successful partnership initiatives this year. The Camels 4 Whalers program, in which Connecticut College student-athletes tutor student-athletes from New London High School, and ENRICH, an Extended Learning Time pilot program in which students from Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School spend the afternoon at the College engaging in reading, writing, arts, physical fitness and other learning activities.

"Through these partnerships, our students deepen their knowledge and acquire citizenship skills," Reiser said, "and our community partners increase their capacities to deliver services and impact in positive ways the environment, economic development, educational achievement and health and wellness."



March 18, 2013