Rachael Steward

Associate Director, Community Engagement

The Center for Service and Community Engagement completes the circle of learning for SU students.  The Center provides opportunities for SU students to connect to the surrounding community through direct service, advocacy and awareness efforts.  A student’s understanding of their role in the betterment of our society is cultivated through these experiences!

My role in the Center for Service and Community Engagement is to provide management for student leadership development through service, and the Jumpstart Program (a reading program for preschool students), as well as to support the Seattle University Youth Initiative (SUYI).  The SUYI is in its implementation phase; much of my work is to connect community based organizations to the university in an effort to enhance service to the community and provide learning opportunities for SU undergraduate and graduate students.

I have been a enrichment educator and agent of change for more than ten years. My passion for learning and belief that education is a form of social justice inspires my work as a connector of higher education institutions with the community-at-large.  I have served institutions of higher-education since 2001 and during that time have sought to increase access to opportunities for marginalized groups.  My career has included service at public, private and historically black colleges and universities.  The role of higher education institutions in the advancement of our society goes without question.  We are simply challenged to find the best way to use our resources to do the most good…I’m up for the challenge!  How about you?!