Interactive Map of Community Partners

The Center for Community Engagement (CCE) connects campus and community to empower leaders for a just and humane world. The connections CCE fosters are expansive, encompassing thousands of university students, faculty, staff, community partners, local Seattle residents, families and youth scholars. 

CCE has three interconnected goals: (1) build capacity for social change in Seattle, (2) engage students and faculty to serve, learn and lead for a just and humane world, and (3) advance the field of community engagement in higher education. 

In 2011, Seattle University and its community partners launched the Seattle University Youth Initiative (SUYI), the largest community engagement initiative in university history. Through SUYI the university partners with the City of Seattle, the Seattle Housing Authority, Seattle Public Schools, dozens of community-based organizations, and hundreds of residents to create a “cradle to career” pathway of support for youth and their families living in a two-square mile neighborhood adjacent to campus. 

CCE Annual Report

This report celebrates the collaborations of hundreds of local families and their scholars, Seattle University students, faculty, staff, community partners over the past academic year. Click to read about our milestones, stories and future plans. Read more on Issuu

The cover of the 2022 Annual Report with a photo of students jumping in front of a Yes Farm sign

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Kent Koth explains the role of the Center for Community Engagement as a part of the Seattle University Youth Initiative.

Seattle University Youth Initiative

The Seattle University Youth Initiative (SUYI) unites the University and the wider Seattle community.

The Initiative strives to strengthen education and support systems for 1,000 neighborhood youth and their families while enhancing the University by providing service, learning and research experience to students, faculty, and staff. Launched in February 2011, the Youth Initiative has quickly become the largest community engagement project in the institution’s history and a signature element of the University. 

The Seattle University Youth Initiative provides campus—students, faculty, staff, and alumni—with opportunities to lead for a just and humane world. 

Seattle University is nestled in the midst of historic and dynamic neighborhoods, each of which has tremendous leaders who make Seattle a wonderful place to live, learn and serve. 

The Center for Community Engagement is committed to a place-based approach along with campuses all across the country. 

When families are engaged in their child’s formal school experiences, their children often show improved performance in all grade levels, regardless of a family’s background or socio-economic status. 

Get Involved

OPPORTUNITIES FOR CURRENT AND INCOMING SEATTLE U STUDENTS

With more than 150 partner organizations and service-learning courses, we offer students many opportunities to get involved and serve local. 

Paid opportunities for Seattle U students in community-facing roles. 

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