Community engagement facilitates the creativity and discovery that is essential to academic excellence. It also ensures that the University contributes to the vibrancy and sustainability of the communities that encompass it.
The Office of Community Engagement provides students, faculty and staff with authentic engagement opportunities that allow them to interact with the world around them.
Whether your goal is to partner with the University, conduct research, serve in the community or meet a curricular need, there are many opportunities to get involved and make a difference.
Featured Program: Thursday Morning Roundtable
This weekly civic engagement program features experts speaking on local, state and national issues of concern to the Central New York community. The Thursday morning meetings, held during the academic year, feature a presentation about an issue or topic of general interest. After each presentation, the speaker holds a question-and-answer session. WCNY-FM, 91.3, broadcasts the programs on the following Sundays at 8 p.m.
Fall 2023 Schedule
Sept. 7 Professor Anne Bellows and Reverend Brian Konkol on Food Insecurity: Watch meeting video
Oct. 5 Professor Hamid Ekbia on Autonomous Systems
Nov. 9 Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon
Dec. 7 Jill Anderson, managing director, and Robert Hupp, artistic director, Syracuse Stage
- Watch videos of Thursday Morning Roundtable sessions
- Subscribe to Thursday Morning Roundtable emails Please include "Subscribe to TMR emails" in the subject line.
Holiday Giving Programs at Syracuse University
During the holiday season, the Office of Community Engagement coordinates various holiday giving programs on campus so University faculty and staff can voluntarily contribute to the distribution of holiday items through programs administered by our local nonprofit partners.
PEACE, Inc.
People’s Equal Action and Community Effort Inc. is a nonprofit, community-based organization with the mission of helping people in the community realize their potential for becoming self-sufficient.
Give-A-Holiday
This program offers individuals and groups the opportunity to brighten up the holidays for families in need by supplying gifts during the holiday season in the form of a a gift basket or a monetary donation. Syracuse University employees can register by completing this form.
Monetary donations can also be made online on the PEACE, Inc. website.
For more information or questions, please contact PEACE, Inc. at 315.634.3740 orgiveaholiday@peace-caa.org.
The Salvation Army
The Salvation Army of the Syracuse Area is a nonprofit organization dedicated to meeting human needs without discrimination, and to encourage and empower those in need to reach their full potential.
Each year, The Salvation Army of Syracuse helps provide Christmas food and toys to nearly 10,000 people with the help of dozens of community partners. There are several ways you can help brighten the holidays for others including the annual Christmas Bureau or volunteering to be a bell-ringer.
Monetary donations can also be made online on The Salvation Army website.
For additional information or questions, please contact Deanna Delmonico at 315.479.1162 or deanna.delmonico@use.salvationarmy.org.
Hendricks Chapel Food Pantry
The Hendricks Chapel Food Pantry supports Syracuse University students by providing access to fresh and shelf stable goods as well as personal care items. So far in the 2023 academic year, the pantry receives anywhere from 100-250 student visitors per week. There are currently two food pantries on campus, directly across from the dean’s suite in Hendricks Chapel and on South Campus. Both pantries rely on monetary and food donations. Monetary donations are used to buy items like fresh produce, protein bars, soups, pasta, snacks, and personal hygiene items.
Hendricks Chapel relies on generous donations from the Syracuse University community to stock the food pantry. Ways to support the food pantry include:
- Donating food or personal care items. Physical donations may be dropped off at the Hendricks Chapel Dean's Suite. Items may also be ordered through our Amazon Wish List, which ships items directly to the pantry. All are encouraged to donate to the Food Pantry Support Fund.
- Donating financially. All are encouraged to donate to the Food Pantry Support Fund. If you are a campus partner, Hendricks Chapel is now able to accept fund transfers to a Food Pantry operational account. Please reach out to the Chapel Budget Manager, Maureen Verone at mverone@syr.edu to administer a journal entry. Your donations are most welcome and appreciated.
- Holding a food and toiletry drive. Student groups, residence hall floors, offices, and departments can hold food and toiletry drives to benefit the food pantry. Reach out to Leondra Tyler to learn how you can "Adopt-A-Month" for the pantry!
- Volunteering at the food pantry. Volunteers are needed to stock and organize the pantry, assist with fresh produce deliveries on Fridays and answer questions for visitors. At this time we are not in need of volunteers, please check back at a later time to see our availability.
Syracuse University Home Buying Information Sessions
Syracuse University is partnering with Home HeadQuarters, Inc. to offer a series of home education programs to provide information on buying a home, open positions at Syracuse University, and the Syracuse University enhanced mortgage program available to employees. Representatives from Home HeadQuarters, Inc. and the Syracuse University Office of Real Estate will provide information to attendees. Registration information will be available soon.
Sessions are held at in the Community Engagement Meeting Room at the Nancy Cantor Warehouse, 350 W. Fayette St. Syracuse, NY 13202.
- December 2 | 9:00 a.m. - Register Now
Book Buddies Program
The Book Buddies program is a collaboration between the Syracuse City School District, the United Way of Central New York, and M&T Bank that offers the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a local child. Currently, approximately 6% of students in Book Buddies partner schools are reading on grade level by 3rd grade. The Book Buddies program connects Syracuse City School District students in grades K-3 with community volunteers and provides students with a supportive environment to practice reading, helping them become stronger, more confident readers.
If you would like to support this initiative by registering to volunteer to become a Book Buddy, please contact Laurie Black at bookbuddies@unitedway-cny.org.
Programs and Resources
We offer a multitude of programs for students, faculty, staff and community members alike. Find a program where you can get involved.
Events
Join the local and campus community by attending one of our sponsored events.
Partners
Strong collaborators—our partners both on and off campus—make our work possible. Find out who they are, what they do and how you can participate.
Living Here
The University offers ownership incentive programs, rental resources, transportation options and more to enhance the quality of life for residents.
Safety and Security
Syracuse University is committed to providing a safe environment for its students, staff and faculty.
Be a Good Neighbor
Find helpful information on housing codes, trash removal, parking, neighborhood organizations and more.