At UChicago, civic engagement is an institution-wide commitment that draws upon our strength as an economic anchor and on the power of education, research, and innovation to create real, lasting impact and opportunity, in Chicago and beyond. Our office works to foster UChicago’s university-wide approach to civic engagement and instill a shared set of values and practices while empowering each internal unit to build on its own unique strengths in forging community partnerships. We work to inform, support, and advance the community engagement of our faculty, students and staff. Working with community partners, OCE strengthens community organizations and small businesses, improves access to education, and connects residents to jobs —all with the goal of advancing economic and social progress in our neighboring communities and the city as a whole. OCE pursues civic partnerships that begin with shared opportunity, build reciprocity, and result in greater positive impact. OCE has a special focus on nine neighborhoods: Douglas, Grand Boulevard, Greater Grand Crossing, Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, South Shore, Washington Park, and Woodlawn. The Office of Civic Engagement leads a suite of programs that directly serve hundreds of Chicagoans each year, with an emphasis on youth, community organizations and small businesses from the South Side. Our programmatic focus areas include: improving college readiness and access, strengthening local communities, supporting student engagement, and expanding economic opportunity.
