Responsibility Counts

ResponsibilityCounts By Ben Helkowski, AmeriCorps VISTA Program Coordinator

Now, more than ever, organizations are hearing the call to be mindful of their global and communal impact. Corporate social responsibility has been a growing trend throughout the 2010s and will likely be an integral part of an organization’s success moving forward. This past October, an article was written by Business Insider about IBM and their initiative to build and support P-TECH schools. P-TECH stands for Pathways in Technology Early College High School, and the goal of these schools is to help create science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning programs for students in disenfranchised communities. Starbucks is another large corporation that has been applauded for their socially conscious efforts, as they have made a commitment to environmentally sustainable practices within their business. Growing success is a shared trend among these organizations.

These companies are experiencing success, in part, due to their commitment to building a better society. Though comparing Allegheny College to a large corporation like IBM is like comparing apples to oranges, it is clear that creating a strong, benevolent community presence can lead to mutually beneficial relationships. The Civic Engagement Office, in the Allegheny Gateway, offers numerous opportunities for students and staff to get involved with community efforts and help build a more united town.

In addition to being a resource of support for the community, the Allegheny Gateway’s Civic Engagement Office recognizes the impact community experiences can have on students. The mission statement for Allegheny College states that we will prepare students to live “meaningful lives by promoting their intellectual, moral, and social development and encourage personal and civic responsibility.” The Civic Engagement Office believes that to fully develop this type of graduate, the student must step out of the classroom into the community and engage in experiential learning. Fortunately, the Civic Engagement Office is not alone in this belief; the Allegheny Gateway provides additional structural support in fostering this type of experiential learning. Composed of seven offices including Career Education, International Education, Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, & Creative Activities (URSCA), the Center for Political Participation, Civic Engagement, Pre-Professional Programs, and Nationally Competitive Fellowships, the Gateway supports students as they explore their interests and are able to translate theory into practice.

As we continue to increase the number of community projects supported by our office, we show that improving the community is a priority to the College. When students work on these projects, they not only learn the value of experiential learning, but also the importance of working to build strong communities. Additionally, while Civic Engagement focuses on developing civically minded citizens, our connection to the other Allegheny Gateway offices provides students with additional perspectives in order to help them think critically about the work they are doing. Allegheny Gateway offices supplement our efforts by providing additional experiences such as study abroad, internships, fellowships, and more in order to address the complexities of the modern world. Once Allegheny students graduate, they will become the employees and leaders of future socially responsible organizations. Therefore, the aim of the Civic Engagement Office and others within the Allegheny Gateway is to educate mindful, holistic students into becoming professionals who are more than their professions. 

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