The Corporation for National and Community Service recently honored Cascadia Community College with a place on the 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service learning and civic engagement.
For three consecutive years, Cascadia’s community service efforts have earned recognition on the honor roll. Honorees are chosen based on a series of factors including the scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service and the extent to which the school offers academic service-learning courses.
“We are proud of the work our students do in the community and appreciate being recognized once again for our dedication to community service and service learning,” says Cascadia President Bill Christopher. “Students benefit greatly when they can apply what they learn in the classroom to make a difference in the lives of others and better understand the issues facing our community.”
In January, more than 200 volunteers participated in Cascadia’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Volunteers made a difference by planting 500 seedlings at Juanita Woodlands, removing yards of blackberry brambles at Blythe Park, visiting three senior centers in Bothell, assisting a foster-care home with yard and house chores, donating 200 food items to the Greater Bothell Parent Resource Center, writing messages in 75 cards for Children’s Hospital and doing prep work at Maywood Hills Elementary School for the mural that will be completed by Cascadia art students later this quarter.
In an ongoing effort, Cascadia students participate in the AmeriCorps Retention Project through which they mentor local high-school students and participate in leadership development opportunities. Cascadia continues to expand its service-learning courses, as well as volunteer opportunities outside of class.
This year, the honor roll includes six colleges and universities that were recognized as Presidential Awardees. Another 115 were named to the Distinction List and 621 were recognized as honor-roll members.
