HPU Center for Community Engagement Opens New Space for Community
High Point University’s Center for Community Engagement recently hosted community members and HPU faculty, staff and students who gathered at a grand opening to see the center’s newly built space. Pictured at center are Kimberly Drye-Dancy, executive director of the HPU Center for Community Engagement, and HPU President Nido Qubein cutting the ribbon at the grand opening event. Shown with them from left are Robert Tillman, director of the Bonner Leader Program; Jennifer Wagoner, HPU communications specialist; Drye-Dancy; Qubein; Allison Walker, director of service learning and instructor of English; and Lovelle McMichael, assistant director of the Center for Community Engagement.
HIGH POINT, N.C., Feb. 16, 2024 – High Point University’s Center for Community Engagement recently hosted community members and HPU faculty, staff and students who gathered at a grand opening to see the center’s newly built space.
Located adjacent to HPU’s main campus, the new 5,500-square-foot center sits in the heart of the High Point community to be accessible to the people it serves. The space includes a lobby area for members of the HPU community to work and study, a classroom for social innovation minor and service-learning courses, a workspace for the AmeriCorps VISTAs, a conference room and administrative offices for center staff.
Nonprofit community partners joined HPU staff, faculty and President Nido Qubein, who offered words of encouragement to the attendees at the center’s grand opening.
The space is intended to house community members and support HPU students and staff from the Bonner Leader, AmeriCorps VISTA, service learning and volunteer center programs, as well as clubs and organizations affiliated with the center.
“Our community is blessed to have a beautiful and intentional space for students with a mindset of dedication and service to others,” said Jakki Davis, executive director of D-Up, a local nonprofit and afterschool program aimed at teaching children how to live healthy lifestyles. “Once you come in to visit, you cannot leave without being empowered to serve.”
Mikaela Chin, one of the Bonner Leader co-presidents who spoke at the event, described the grand opening of the Center for Community Engagement as momentous.
“To have the president of the university, HPU staff and faculty, community partners and students in one space is a testimony to the importance of the CCE,” said Chin. “The center helps me accomplish service through its supportive environment of forward thinking and like-minded individuals and its strong connection to the community.”
Each year, HPU students, staff and faculty provide approximately 500,000 hours of service and donate $3 million to nonprofits. HPU community and surrounding members use the GivePulse platform to promote and log service. The university provides GivePulse free of charge to community members to find volunteer opportunities, track service hours and promote volunteer events. HPU intends to log 1 million hours of service by the end of the year to celebrate its centennial anniversary. To sign up and serve, click here.