USA Today’s “Top 20 Colleges for Community Service”

USA Today’s “Top 20 Colleges for Community Service”

This is the time of year we hear about college rankings. On an annual basis, Loyola does consistently well in the academic categories of the various rankings, but I want to mention one acknowledgment that really draws attention to Loyola students and our community. This is just one indication of an active community at work—with and for others.

Loyola was one of six colleges and universities chosen as a Presidential Awardee of the U.S. President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll 2010. This is the highest award that a college or university can receive for commitment to community work-study programs, community service, and service-learning opportunities. Read about the recognition and some of the Promise Neighborhood programs that stood out.

This award is a reflection of our Jesuit philosophy—cura personalis, or care of the whole person. You see, while the Loyola Experience includes a commitment to academics and critical inquiry, we also believe that it is important for to you develop as a whole person, one who is willing to give of your time and talents to make your community stronger.

Why did Loyola earn this honor?

First and foremost, I wish to acknowledge the hard work of a friend and colleague, Patrick M. Green, EdD, Director for the Center for Experiential Learning. He and his team spend countless hours assisting students with opportunities to engage in more than 100 service-learning classes, participate in academic internships and/or clinical field experiences, work in funded undergraduate research fellowships, and engage in community-based work-study at more than 70 locations. Literally, thousands of students walk through the doors of the Center for Experiential Learning with the intention of putting their learning into practice while also making an impact on those around us.

Needless to say, our local community benefits from the number of programs students are actively involved in. And students benefit as well, gaining professional experience as well as a better understanding of the greater community. Here are a few statistics that help underscore the affect that Loyola’s experiential learning programs are making on students’ futures:

  • 80% of students were more interested in their internship field after participating.
  • 84% of students said they were likely to continue engaging in community-based work related to their service-learning course topic.
  • 97% of students in the Loyola Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (LUROP) reported feeling equipped with the skills needed to be successful in a career as a result of their research experience.
  • 91% of students in LUROP reported a greater understanding of theories and concepts in their field as a result of their research experiences.

All in all, I think the above numbers paint a pretty strong picture of how experiential learning at Loyola is making a difference in the community while preparing students for personal and professional success. But why not see for yourself? Take a look at some of the opportunities available—and what you can look forward to—at the Center for Experiential Learning.


The above statistics were pulled from this year’s Center for Experiential Learning Annual Impact Report.

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