Brookdale Receives National Recognition for Community Service

Lincroft, NJ – Brookdale Community College has been named to the 2013 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for its strong institutional commitment to service and partnerships that produce measurable results for the community. This national distinction, which Brookdale previously received in 2009 and 2010, is the highest honor a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement.

“One of the cornerstones of Brookdale’s mission is to provide opportunities for our students to understand the value and meaning of good citizenship and the responsibilities of being an active participant in their learning,” said Dr. Maureen Murphy, President of Brookdale Community College. “We are extremely proud to be recognized by the Corporation for National and Community Service for our continuing commitment to community service and civic engagement.”

Brookdale has a rich history of providing community service opportunities to students, while partnering with local agencies and municipalities. Brookdale’s Service-Learning program combines academic study and community service, which provides a unique opportunity for students to learn through active participation in organized service experiences in the community. Students serve at a variety of organizations, including after-school programs, soup kitchens, nursing homes, adult day care centers, animal shelters, and natural reserves.

Additionally, Experiential Learning & Career Services partnered with Student Life & Activities to create a new service initiative entitled Friday Afternoons of Service. The Friday Afternoons of Service are held monthly during the academic year, and Brookdale students are encouraged to participate. To counter the impact of Super Storm Sandy to Monmouth County communities, Brookdale’s Friday Afternoons of Service recently have assisted in the restoration of the Jersey Shore by aiding Sea Bright Rising, Monmouth County SPCA, and Coastal Habitat for Humanity.

The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll highlights the role colleges and universities play in placing more students on a path of lifelong civic engagement. Launched in 2006, the Honor Roll annually recognizes institutions that achieve meaningful, measurable outcomes in the communities they serve.

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) oversees the Honor Roll in collaboration with the U.S. Departments of Education and Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact, and the American Council on Education. Honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors, including the scope and innovation of service projects and the extent to which service learning is embedded in the curriculum.

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