Saint Joseph’s College is excited to share our newly-released 2018-2019 report Sustaining Engagement. Community engagement is a hallmark of the Saint Joseph’s College experience, and the entire campus community strives to model service and involvement as means for both personal and social transformation. As an institution sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy, we are committed to making a difference by building a sustainable future in which learners of all ages are prepared for lives of engaged citizenship. This report highlights the good works of the last academic year and reminds us that Saint Joseph’s College is not just an institution of higher education — it is an amazing community of people who care deeply for each other and strive every day to live our Core Values.
Honors Program students pictured at the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals Horse Farm in Windham, Maine.
Curricular engagement at Saint Joseph’s is an integral part of the academic learning experience and includes experiential, collaborative and action-oriented activities. Professor John Kenneally and his Market Research students helped the town of Raymond develop Age-Friendly plans to support and enable older people to “age actively” – to live in security, enjoy good health and continue to participate fully in society. Professor Chris Callaway’s Honors Capstone Experience supported program development and marketing for the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals. Every year, students and other members of the College community travel to Guatemala and Haiti and volunteer their time to help those who need it most. Other methods of engagement include active research and independent studies, internships, the CASE Scholarship Program, faculty grants, and projects like the pollinator garden.
Co-curricular activities at the College has always been an important way to enhance the distinctive Mercy character of a Saint Joseph’s education. Organized by the Mercy Center, students and faculty are able to participate in spring break workfests, midnight runs, and volunteer at the Mercy Farm in Vermont. Athletics, residence life, and student clubs are also responsible for contributing to opportunities for service. Saint Joseph’s College commemorates our commitment to service and community each year by donating as a campus community hundreds of hours of volunteer service in one day as the Beth Auger Day of Service.
It is clear that the Saint Joseph’s College family is collectively committed to serving the common good. Thousands of people have been positively impacted by our campus community along this year and we look forward to continuing this life-changing Mercy tradition.
