Civic and Community Engagement
Community Service
Volunteerism is an important component of Centre’s commitment to prepare students for lives of learning, leadership, and service. Centre’s Office of Civic & Community Engagement (OCCE) provides resources and opportunities to students looking to get involved in volunteerism and civic engagement, locally and beyond. The OCCE staff serve as liaisons between Centre’s campus and the Danville/Boyle County area, identifying community needs and assets and developing mutually beneficial relationships. Some of the agencies Centre partners with on a regular basis include the Central Kentucky African American Cemetery Association, Magical Menagerie Equine Rescue, Boyle County Public Library, the Danville Boyle County Humane Society, Centro Latino, and Ephraim McDowell Hospital. Students can view local service opportunities by visiting CentreEngage, Centre's volunteer management platform.
A number of student organizations and programs including Alpha Phi Omega, the After School Program (ASP), Greek organizations, the Centre Service Council, and the Bonner program recognize the value of service, advocacy and activism. These groups organize opportunities to engage in the community and recruit and coordinate Centre volunteers. A few of the ongoing projects and programs offered at Centre include Service Saturdays, fall and spring blood drives, MLK Day of Service, Poverty and Homelessness Week, and student voter registration. Additionally, several academic departments place an emphasis on service by making community based learning an integral part of their courses. Students, faculty and staff also frequently choose to serve on an individual level. Whatever the interest, Centre seeks to provide opportunities that create more engaged and informed communities.
Bonner
Also housed under the Office of Civic of Community Engagement is the Bonner Program. The Bonner Program is composed of 60 students committed to serving the Danville-Boyle County community. Weekly Bonner meetings cover a diverse array of topics, enriching the student experience. Supported by a tight-knit community of peers and mentors, Bonners at Centre embody the college's dedication to civic engagement and leadership development, fostering a lifelong commitment to service and social responsibility.
Civic Engagement
Centre College empowers students to become active and informed participants in the democratic process. The Office of Civic & Community Engagement offers nonpartisan support to students in the form of voter registration assistance, absentee and early voting information, voting deadline reminders, and voter education. To learn more about civic engagement resources and opportunities offered by the OCCE, visit https://www.centre.edu/about/offices/civic-and-community-engagement.