Southern Miss Center for Community and Civic Engagement Earns Spot on Presidents Honor Roll

The Corporation for National and Community Service has awarded The University of Southern Mississippi's Center for Community and Civic Engagement (CCCE) a spot on the 2014 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.

The Honor Roll recognizes institutions of higher education that support exemplary community service programs and raise the visibility of effective practices in campus community partnerships. The Honor Roll's Presidential Award is the highest federal recognition an institution can receive for its commitment to community, service-learning, and civic engagement.

Southern Miss was recognized in two categories -- General Community Service and Education. Service initiatives coordinated through the CCCE include: the Service-Learning Faculty Fellows program, Alternative Service Breaks, Volunteerism, Campus Link AmeriCorps, the College Knowledge Project, and R.E.A.C.H. (Reading, English, and Arithmetic to Change Hattiesburg).  

“This recognition is evidence of USM's commitment to the citizens of Hattiesburg, the State of Mississippi and to its own students, faculty and staff,” said CCCE Director Christy Arrazattee. “USM doesn't just graduate future scientists, educators or health care professionals, it also produces students who understand the value of civic engagement and have the knowledge and commitment to become positive agents of change in their communities.”

At any given point during the year, CCCE is actively involved in some type of outreach project, sending approximately 115 volunteers into Hattiesburg-area communities. Additionally, the University has about 800 students involved in service-learning classes each semester.

“Although students are often the individuals putting in the service hours – swinging the hammer so to speak – there are a number of faculty, staff and community partners who have put in just as many hours collaborating with CCCE to plan, publicize and organize service events,” said Arrazattee.

CNCS has administered the Honor Roll award since 2006 in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as the American Council on Education, Campus Compact, and the Interfaith Youth Core. 

To see a complete list of the President's Honor Roll for 2014, visit: http://www.nationalservice.gov/special-initiatives/presidents-higher-education-community-service-honor-roll/2014-presidents-higher. To learn more about the CCCE at Southern Miss, call 601.266.5074 or visit: http://www.usm.edu/center-community-and-civic-engagement