Dyson College of Arts and Sciences

D Y S O N Y E A R I N R E V I E W 2 0 2 1 – 2 0 2 2 12 In total, 103 civic engagement courses were offered for the 2021–22 school year, including 78 housed in Dyson, ranging from Animals and Society to Women in Literature to Theater of the Oppressed. "These experiences are the ones that students remember, where they can translate the concepts learned in the classroom into practice," said Toomey. For example, in Toomey and Palta's course, students observed and studied the usage of Sherman Creek Park along the Harlem River in upper Manha an and presented their findings to the New York Restoration Project (NYRP), a nonprofit organization that cares for green spaces around the five boroughs. "The NYRP is using the information we gave them to have a direct, real impact on the park and on the community," said a student in the course, Cam Becker '23, Environmental Studies. "The real-life implication of this will stick with me probably forever. It teaches you not only the skills you need, but also that if you offer, people always need help." Life-changing Experiences CCAR has transformed the goals, aspirations, and perspectives of countless members of the Pace community. For instance, Becker landed an internship with the NYRP this spring as a direct result of her time in Toomey's civic engagement course. "The course took what I love about working with people and my love of science and mixed them together," said Becker. "It impacted not only my future career but my entire future in general. I want to make sure advocacy continues to be a huge pa of my life." And like lawyer and civic engagement professor Stout, Jandery De La Cruz '12, '17, Communications, MPA, found her calling in serving others through her time with CCAR. "CCAR is why I've chosen this career path," said De La Cruz, now the manager of volunteer services and food pantry programming at Feeding Westchester. "Before CCAR, I was unaware of what volunteering meant, not only to the organization, but to myself. Without CCAR, I probably wouldn't know what it feels like to put myself out there and develop new skills, be selfless, and provide suppo and helpful hands to those in our own community." Moving Forward A er 25 years, Center Director Novak believes CCAR's role is more impo ant than ever. "In suppo ing Pace students and faculty who are building meaningful pa nerships with community-based organizations, we are enabling community connections that are vital for meeting the challenges of today's world," said Novak. Pace University becomes a ce ified designee of the inaugural Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement Classification, an elective process that allows institutions to submit documentation to assist the Carnegie Foundation in promoting data not o en included in higher education media. President Stephen J. Friedman brings the Multiplying Good Jefferson Awards, o en referred to as "the Nobel Prize of volunteering," to Pace. Since 2008, over 100 Pace students, staff, and faculty have been recognized on the local level, and four members of the Pace community have earned national Jefferson Awards. (Pictured: Professor of Criminal Justice Kimberly Collica-Cox, PhD, speaking at the Jefferson Awards national ceremony in 2018.) The Center for Community Action and Research takes its current name, reflecting a broadening focus from volunteerism to include community-based learning and research, civic engagement, and university-community pa nerships. (Pictured: CCAR volunteers at NYCares Day in 2008.) 2 0 0 6 2 0 0 8 2 0 0 8

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