Adler University has been named the Presidential Winner of the President’s Higher Education Community Service Award in the General Community Service category. This is the highest federal recognition an institution can receive for its commitment to community, service-learning, and civic engagement.

On hand to accept the award were Raymond E. Crossman, Ph.D., President of Adler University and Kevin Osten-Garner, Psy.D., Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs for the Division of Community Engagement and Training at Adler University.

“Community engagement and social responsibility are our institutional bedrocks,” said Crossman. “This honor is a recognition that our faculty, students and community partners absolutely live Adler’s values, and I could not be more proud of them.”

In submitting its application, Adler laid out a comprehensive approach to community engagement, including mental health services to underserved Chicago and Vancouver metropolitan regions where its campuses are located; capacity-building and action to help community agencies improve social, economic, and health conditions; and advocacy on social justice issues and policy.

Adler also demonstrated substantial volume in community engagement among students, faculty and staff. During the 2014-2015 academic year, 90 percent of Adler’s student body engaged in service learning that provided more than 740,000 hours of direct service to communities through the University’s partnerships with more than 600 agencies. Their work included providing clinical psychological services and related support to more than 180,000 people in traditionally underserved communities, primarily in the Chicago and Vancouver regions. In addition, thousands more service hours are provided to communities every year through the University’s institutes and centers.

“At Adler, we believe that service is not done for community, but alongside,” said Osten-Garner. “Our students not only provide services in communities as part of their degree programs—they work in tandem with the residents and leaders, capitalizing on their resiliency and empowering them to be the architects of their vision for a more just neighborhood, city, and world.”

About the President’s Honor Roll

Each year, the President of the United States recognizes higher education institutions for their exemplary commitment to and achievement in community service. The National Community Service Honor Roll is the highest federal recognition of the contributions that colleges and their students make to local communities and the nation. It is an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that engages millions of Americans in service through its AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Social Innovation Fund, and Volunteer Generation Fund programs, and leads the President’s national call to service initiative, United We Serve.