Office of University and Community Partnerships

Civic engagement is experiential learning.

Drexel’s Commitment to Civic Engagement

When Anthony J. Drexel laid the foundation for our University, he knew that urban institutions have a unique mission to bring students, faculty, and their community together. That is why Drexel is so committed to civic engagement: it’s in our DNA. Coming together to build bridges between our students, faculty, and neighbors is built into our history, and is vital to our present as a collaborating partner with our neighbors and local community organizations.

The defining concept for the Office of University & Community Partnerships is that we are not just in the community, we are a part of it, and much of our work is in creative collaboration with our campus neighbors. The Office guides Drexel’s efforts to be the most civically-engaged University in the United States, a commitment we made as an anchor institution to the Philadelphia community and particularly the neighborhoods closest to our campus.

Academic opportunities
Every Drexel undergraduate takes Introduction to Civic Engagement, and we offer a wide range of community-based learning classes spanning a variety of academic programs.
Co-ops & Employment
Drexel students can pursue intensive 6 month co-op experiences with community organizations and non-profits.
Extracurricular Opportunities
From hundreds of student organizations to personal passion projects, Drexel students are involved in the community in countless ways outside of the classroom.
Living / Residential
Drexel offers a dormitory Living Learning Community focused on Civic Engagement and prepares students for off-campus living and engagement with the local neighborhood through our Good Neighbor program.

Select Office Initiatives

Drexel's student home for community engagement opportunities and community-based learning.
Drexel's urban extension center in the heart of the Mantua Neighborhood.
Our institute for civic technology and community-engaged research.
A university-community literary arts program engaged in creative place-making and art for social justice.

Civic Engagement by the Numbers

$95M

$95 million in local and diverse procurement annually.

16

Drexel is 1 of only 16 private institutions holding both R1 (very high research activity) and Community Engagement Carnegie Classifications.

22,000+

22,000+ Meals shared with neighbors since 2014 through monthly Community Dinners at the Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships.

$42M

$42 million for a new building for the Powel Elementary & Science Leadership Academy Middle Schools.

Contact Us

Hours:
Monday–Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.