Community Engagement
Connecting Knowledge, People, and Purpose to Strengthen Communities
At the College of Social Work and Criminal Justice, community engagement is central to who we are and how we create impact.
Our work extends beyond the classroom and across the communities we serve. We bring together faculty, students, practitioners, community leaders, agencies, and organizations to address complex challenges, strengthen the workforce, translate research into practice, and create solutions that improve the well-being of individuals and communities.
As part of ÌÇÐÄVlog’s commitment to community engagement and service as the Hometown University, the College is building an increasingly connected ecosystem that links education, research, leadership, and practice. Through long-term partnerships and shared learning, we serve communities, journeying alongside them to understand challenges, develop solutions, and create lasting value.
Our Approach
Our approach to community engagement is focused on four interconnected areas:
Partnerships that Create Shared Value
We cultivate meaningful relationships with agencies, organizations, community leaders, and cross-sector partners to align university resources with community priorities and create opportunities for mutual learning and impact.
Research that Responds to Real-World Challenges
We connect faculty expertise and student learning with the needs of communities, helping translate research, data, and evidence into practical insights and solutions.
Learning and Leadership Beyond the Classroom
We create opportunities for professionals and community leaders to strengthen their knowledge, skills, and capacity through academies, professional development, convenings, and applied learning experiences.
Impact that Can Be Seen and Understood
We are committed to measuring, visualizing, and communicating the reach and value of our community-engaged work. By understanding where and how our College contributes, we can strengthen partnerships, inform decision-making, and increase our collective impact over time.
Explore Our Community Engagement
Centers and Institutes
The College’s centers and institutes connect faculty expertise, applied research, professional education, and community partnerships around critical issues affecting individuals, families, organizations, and communities. Together, they serve as platforms for innovation, collaboration, and the translation of knowledge into practice.
Explore Our Centers and Institutes:
- Center for Integrated Recovery
- Child Welfare Institute
- Healthy Aging Academy
- Robin Rubin Center for Happiness and Life Enhancement
Community Leadership Committee
The Community Leadership Committee brings together accomplished business, nonprofit, healthcare, philanthropic, and community leaders who support the mission and strategic priorities of the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work. Members serve as community builders, resource developers, and advocates who strengthen connections between the School and the broader community.
Learn About the Community Leadership Committee →
Housing Leadership Academy
The Housing Leadership Academy brings together professionals serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing instability. Through interdisciplinary learning, leadership development, and collaboration, participants strengthen their capacity to navigate complex systems and improve outcomes for the populations and communities they serve.
Explore the Housing Leadership Academy →
Building a More Connected Community
The challenges facing our communities do not exist within a single discipline, organization, or system. Neither can the solutions.
The College of Social Work and Criminal Justice is committed to serving as a connector, convener, and cultivator, bringing together the knowledge of the university with the expertise and lived experience of the community. Through collaboration, applied research, workforce development, and shared action, we are building the relationships and capacity needed to create stronger systems and healthier, safer, and more resilient communities.
Contact
For more information about our community engagement efforts, please contact:
Tony Andenoro, Ph.D.
Director of Community Engagement & Programming
College of Social Work & Criminal Justice
tandenoro@fau.edu | (561) 297-0060