Columbia University has a longstanding history of community service and engagement. Today, public service and hands-on involvement in our local, national and global communities is an essential part of both academic and professional life at the University. Columbia students, faculty and staff are working together and individually to address environmental and social challenges, as well as the needs of underserved communities in a range of areas, including health care and education.

Each year, Columbia students at the undergraduate and graduate levels participate in service learning, volunteer action and social entrepreneurship programs around the world. Columbia College's unique Core Curriculum emphasizes a well-rounded undergraduate education that not only helps students develop their critical thinking skills, but also nurtures in them the responsibilities of citizenship in a democratic society. At the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, incoming freshman are immediately involved in community-based learning programs.

Learn more about Columbia's diverse service learning and community engagement initiatives, a small number of which are listed below:

• Public Service at the School of Engineering
• ElderSmile Program
• Civic Engagement at Columbia
• Columbia's Community Partnerships
• Columbia Partnership with Ready, Willing & Able
• Hayden Astrophysics, Engineering and Applied Sciences Program
• Harlem Little League
• Community Impact and Double Discovery
• Harlem Middle School Robotics Competition
• Law Students and Legal Aid
• Community Pediatrics
• Students Provide Care to Homeless
• Students Open Health Care Clinic
• Engineering School's Center for Technology, Innovation and Community Engagement
• Hands-on Learning in Environmental Sustainability

Columbia faculty members and researchers across a broad spectrum of disciplines conduct pioneering research that seeks to improve the well-being of people locally and globally. Generations of alumni have been leaders in government and public service, matching their professional accomplishments with civic commitment. And thousands of staff members also contribute time and resources to our community, both through University-organized programs as well as through their own initiatives.

Given its dedication to civic engagement, Columbia University is honored to host ServiceNation on Sept. 11, an event that serves to highlight the importance of individual and collective public service.

To learn more about Columbia's diverse range of civic engagement and public service initiatives, we invite you to visit one of the many programs listed here or visit the special issue of The Record.

Image credits: Elena Olivo (1), Alan Dindas (2), Eileen Barroso (4)

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