Through partnerships with local organizations, the Office of Community Engagement creates opportunities for genuine collaboration and helps to create meaningful change together.
Programs
Thursday Morning Roundtable
For over 60 years, Thursday Morning Roundtable (TMR) has brought Syracuse together to talk about the issues that matter most. Each month, TMR convenes diverse voices to share information, exchange perspectives, and spark ideas for action. We believe everyone’s voice matters in shaping our community’s future.
Community to Campus
Syracuse University opens its doors to Central New York neighbors, transforming our facilities into a shared community resource. Through collaborations with local organizations, we create opportunities like Art Museum visits for community center seniors and curated experiences that give youth groups a meaningful chance to explore college life.
Food Insecurity Awareness Initiative
Community Engagement combats food insecurity on campus and throughout Central New York. Our efforts include a comprehensive food drive to benefit the Salvation Army Emergency Food Pantry, engaging campus partners and Orange fans to collect food and monetary donations.
Syracuse City School District Career and Technical Education Program Partnership
Summer Internship Program
The Summer Internship program is a partnership between Syracuse University and the SCSD that offers Career and Technical Education (CTE) students to engage in a 6-week hands-on opportunity with Syracuse University employees in a field that aligns with their chosen learning pathway. The Summer Internship Program offers the opportunity for rising high school juniors enrolled in the SCSD CTE program to gain valuable hands-on experience working with professionals in their chosen field.
Spring Shadow Program
The Spring Shadow program offers the opportunity for high school seniors enrolled in the SCSD CTE students to engage in a 4-week job shadow opportunity with Syracuse University Facilities staff in a field that aligns with their chosen learning pathway, helping them gain valuable on-site experience observing professionals in their chosen field.
Holiday Giving Programs at Syracuse University
During the holiday season, the Office of Community Engagement coordinates giving opportunities that enable University faculty and staff to support individuals and families served by our local nonprofit partners through volunteerism and donations.
United Way Employee Giving Campaign
The Office of Community Engagement serves as the coordinating hub for the University’s annual United Way campaign. Anyone interested in volunteering to support the campaign may email the Office of Community Engagement.
Operation Orange Warmup Coat Drive
The Operation Orange Warmup Coat Drive is an initiative held every winter that collects and provides warm coats to those in need in our Syracuse community. Syracuse University organizes the collection, sorting, and preparation of the coats and partners with InterFaith Works, a local non-profit organization, who distributes the coats to our neighbors in need. Syracuse University also partners with Hendricks Chapel and the Rescue Mission to provide coats for Syracuse University students who may be in need of a winter jacket.
Resources
Hendricks Chapel Coach Mac Food Pantry
The Coach Mac Food Pantry supports Syracuse University students by providing access to fresh and shelf stable goods as well as personal care items. During the 2023 academic year, the pantry received 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.
Book Buddies Program
The Book Buddies program is a collaboration between the United Way of Central New York and the Syracuse City School District that offers the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a local child. The 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
Syracuse University Guaranteed Mortgage Program
This program provides eligible faculty and staff an alternative financing method to purchase a home in designated neighborhoods in the Syracuse area. For more information, visit the Syracuse University Guaranteed Mortgage Program.