Presidential Civic and Community Engagement Initiative
As a College rooted in the Catholic, Augustinian tradition, we are pleased to build on our commitment to our local communities, neighbors and region through the launch of Merrimack College’s Presidential Civic and Community Engagement Initiative.
Developing the Next Generation
While Merrimack— through our individual programs, faculty, students and staff—has a proud history of serving others in our communities, we have seen inequities deepen across the region as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As we work together towards a more, peaceful and sustainable world, we understand the need for our students to become more involved as citizens.
Students at Merrimack College represent the next generation of civic-minded career-ready professionals and community leaders. We provide students with even greater opportunities to contribute to solving real-world problems through civic learning and democratic engagement in the classroom, in their research and through their academic community-based experiences.
“By harnessing the strengths of our great institution, and deepening our own civic and community commitments, I am confident that we can be a strong steward for the next chapter of the region as we achieve even greater possibilities together.”
Our Impact
The impact of the civic and community engagement at Merrimack College is shown through our ability to work together with partners locally, nationally, and globally.
1,100 students provide more than 18,000 hours of service every year at over 75 placement sites through the Stevens Service Learning Center
Provide over 90,000 meals per year to people in need in neighboring communities through the Mack Gives Back event and about 1,200 pounds of food donated to local community partners per year through Hands to Help
50 full scholarships and $3,000,000 awarded to underserved students upon high school graduation through Pioneer Scholars
Stories of Our Impact
Leadership Through Service
Merrimack College’s Austin Scholars is a close-knit community rooted in the Augustinian tradition for students who are invested in serving others and being leaders on and off campus.
Rescuing Food
Food Recovery Network at Merrimack College is part of the national Food Recovery Network, a nonprofit organization that partners with on-campus dining services to rescue unserved, usable food.
Transforming Lives Through Scholarship
In 2017, Merrimack College launched the Early College Program (ECP) that enables high school students to earn college credits on Merrimack’s campus. Through this partnership, Merrimack helps provide a viable, affordable pathway to college for underrepresented students.
Domestic and International Service Immersion Experiences
Merrimack College has been participating in long-distance, weeklong service experiences for more than 50 years. An overarching goal of the Alternative Break/International Service Immersion program is to work towards a more socially just society.
Contact Us
Kirstie
Dobbs
Assistant Professor of Practice; Director of Early College and Faculty Community Engagement Strategy
