The Center:

The Center for Civic and Urban Engagement at Wittenberg University will bring together Wittenberg faculty, staff and students with community members to address the opportunities and challenges of the Greater Springfield area. By strengthening Wittenberg’s relationship with the Springfield community, our goal is to develop resources with the potential for significant, lasting positive impact in Springfield while also providing a model of creative cooperation between colleges and cities throughout Ohio, the Midwest, and the United States.

The initial objectives are:

1) to expand and to coordinate faculty and student scholarship, applied research, and projects;
2) to focus faculty and student scholarship and service on strategic initiatives for maximum impact in the community;
3) to build upon and expand established Community Service and WittPath Career Service partnerships; and
4) to provide a single point of contact for community engagement with the university.

In order to gain perspective and community direction, The Center has already recruited a Community Advisory Board. This diverse group of community leaders has assisted staff in identifying specific areas of focus as we begin our work.

The Initiatives are:

1) Strengthening After School Programs
2) Renewing the Core and Creek
3) Improving Housing Quality
4) Preparing for Future Jobs

In the process of our work on these initiatives, we expect not only to improve our Springfield community, but also to further enrich the education and experience of Wittenberg students. Working with the Community Service Office and the Wittpath Career Services Office, the Center will assist in providing a continuum of rich, interdisciplinary opportunities for experiential learning and personal involvement that will deepen and broaden the relationships between our students and the Springfield community.

Community Engagement: Empower. Engage. Enhance.