Community Collaboration Partners

By partnering with community non-profits and service providers, we offer students experiential learning opportunities to engage the broader community and make an impact. The CLCE's Community Collaborations model embodies RIT's commitment to improving the world around us by fostering deep, reciprocated relationships between our campus and the Rochester community. We actively facilitate impactful connections, moving beyond mere volunteerism to create innovative solutions and pathways for students to become engaged global citizens.

The Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement primarily collaborates with community agencies that:

• Are 501(c)3 Nonprofit Agencies* or Governmental Entities;
• Dedicate the majority of their efforts to direct service and programming;
• Have well-defined mission statements and a commitment to local impact;
• Foster an environment of mutual respect, diversity, and inclusion for local and global cultures;
• Offer meaningful, positive experiences – both educational and social – that will enhance the education of our students as global citizens and leaders and promote RIT’s mission; and,
• Can provide a contact person to serve as the liaison between the CLCE and the agency.

*Or organizations that are actively working towards 501(c)3 nonprofit status

Asset-Based Collaboration
Whether working to clean the city’s parks, support youth development, or sort through donated food items, the most powerful collaborations build relationships grounded in the strengths of every individual, association, and institution involved. RIT’s collaboration with community organizations will identify these internal strengths and utilize them to produce mutually beneficial outcomes.

Civic Engagement 
The purposeful work of individuals and groups to address public concerns and strengthen communities, promoting the greater good through a variety of experiential learning activities including direct service and systemic action.

Community Collaborator
An external organization that partners with the university according to the Community Collaboration Guidelines and in a mutually beneficial manner to address the needs of the community through experiential learning opportunities for RIT students.

Community or Direct Service
Service involves unpaid, hands-on work with an organization, cause, or community, in which a volunteer connects their skills to the needs of the community. Service is done with an organization.

Engaged Community Member
An individual who thoughtfully contributes to the greater good, leveraging their skills and passions to create positive change and cultivate reciprocal relationships within their local and global communities.

Volunteer
An RIT student looking for ways to get involved with the Rochester community by offering their time and skills through one-time, short-term, or long-term service.

Outcomes of collaboration are twofold:

• To aid in addressing the needs of the Rochester Community; and,
• To create experiential learning opportunities or RIT students. 

The CLCE supports these objectives by treating each collaboration with diligence and maintaining regular communication. Agencies interested in collaborating with the CLCE are encouraged to contact the office by completing the General Collaboration Request Form or emailing lead@rit.edu to set up an initial meeting to discuss mutually beneficial opportunities.

Initial meetings involve:

• Identifying the goals and measurable outcomes for the collaboration;
• Identifying the strengths and needs of each organization; and,
• Outlining the roles, norms, and processes for the relationship.

Collaborating with the CLCE means working towards reciprocated benefits and greater community impact. The department will help agencies recruit volunteers for short-term and one-time events or programs as well as longer-term opportunities.

The CLCE will assign a representative from its staff to serve as the primary contact with the Community Collaborator. They will communicate with collaborating agencies at least once a year to ensure that needs and opportunities are kept up to date and to maintain records of engagement. This could be done through site visits, Zoom meetings, or email check-ins.

Opportunities open to any Community-Based Organization

• Tabling at the RIT Community Service Fair (held at the beginning of every semester)
• Submitting volunteer opportunities to the CLCE’s Service Newsletter
• Recruiting volunteers from student organizations (clubs, teams, etc.)

Additional opportunities for official Community Collaborators

• Hosting an Into the ROC Possibilities program (usually a weekend service opportunity for 40+ students)
• Hosting a small on-campus service project (i.e. creating something to be donated to your organization such as reusable bags or greeting cards)
• Being advertised on the CLCE’s Service and Volunteer Opportunities website
• Partnering with momentum III where students propose solutions to a challenge or opportunity being faced by your organization

1. Submit the General Collaboration Request Form to tell us which forms of collaboration would be most beneficial to your organization.
2. After reviewing your request, the CLCE will either reach out to schedule a meeting to further discuss your needs and mutually beneficial opportunities, or you will be added to our community organizations email list to stay up to date on opportunities at RIT.