University of the Rockies has been named to the 2012 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.

"Giving back to the communities we serve is something we are very committed to doing," said Dr. Charlita Shelton, president of University of the Rockies. "We are very proud of everyone affiliated with the University for the many hours they have devoted to community service projects. Our commitment to helping others is something we take pride in."

The Corporation for National and Community Service, which administers the annual Community Service Honor Roll award, recognized over 600 colleges and universities for their impact on issues from poverty and homelessness to environmental justice. On campuses across the country, thousands of students joined their faculty to develop innovative programs and projects to meet local needs using the skills gained in their classrooms. Business students served as consultants to budget-strapped nonprofits and businesses, law students volunteered at legal clinics, and dozens of others organized anti-hunger campaigns.

The Honor Roll includes five colleges and universities that are recognized as 2012 Presidential Awardees, with an additional 110 named to the Distinction List and 513 schools named as Honor Roll members. Honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors including the scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service, and the extent to which the school offers academic service-learning courses.

University of the Rockies was named to the Community Service Honor Roll for its involvement in several projects, including:

  • Free concussion recognition classes for coaches
  • Free or lost cost counseling services at Rockies Counseling Center
  • Student organization service learning projects
  • Involvement with area schools

Each year, the Corporation invests more than $150 million in fostering a culture of service on college campuses through grants awarded by its programs; the education awards that AmeriCorps members receive at the conclusion of their term of service to pay for college; and through support of training, research, recognition, and other initiatives to spur college service.

The Corporation oversees the Honor Roll in collaboration with the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact and the American Council on Education.

About the Corporation for National and Community Service

The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through its Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, the Social Innovation Fund and other programs, and leads President Obama's national call to service initiative, United We Serve.

About University of the Rockies

University of the Rockies is an advanced graduate institution for tomorrow's thought leaders. The University provides an intimate and dynamic learning environment, offering highly specialized master's and doctoral degree programs in the social and behavioral sciences, access to industry experts, campus clinical programs for practical experience, and research and publishing opportunities. University of the Rockies is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. Small by design, University of the Rockies classes are presented in a progressive online format and at its Colorado Springs, Colorado, campus.

Source: University of the Rockies