Community Engagement

Our Mission

Our collective work is grounded in concepts of equity and justice, and we recognize the inherent dignity and worth of all individuals who constitute our intertwined communities. We value deep partnership with community organizations/schools and members and envision our work as co-created with multiple constituencies.

With philosophical rooting in concepts of equity and justice, the Office of Community Engagement connects students, employees and local communities through partnerships intended to catalyze personal, institutional, and community change.

MAKING AN IMPACT

Working Together

Community internships challenge students to build skills and relationships through their work with partner organizations in Allentown and the greater Lehigh Valley.

Our Goals

The Office of Community Engagement strives to:

  • Connect Muhlenberg and Allentown communities in meaningful, deep partnerships aimed at creating positive, inclusive change
  • Facilitate individual understanding of social identities, civic engagement and communities
  • Enhance our communities’ ability and desire to critically analyze, learn, and dialogue about important social justice issues
  • Work toward dismantling systemic barriers to equitable lived experiences

In their words

Office of Community Engagement

Muhlenberg College alumni smiling positioned in front of red brick wall wearing a white visor hat with blue Cubs jersey.
Muhlenberg College alumni standing in front of white backdrop smiling pose for portrait.
Muhlenberg College alumni seated next to window in interior dining setting amongst other people.
Muhlenberg College alumni smiling standing in front of red brick wall.
Man wearing white jacket and blue collared shirt with bowtie standing outdoors in front of green foliage.
Muhlenberg College alumni smiling posed for portrait in front of abstract blue backdrop.

“I grew a lot of patience and flexibility through working with the OCE…. I was also more willing to try new things and work with different groups of individuals.” — Jose Flores '16 , NYC ENL Teacher

“...figure out how you can bolster the incredible groundwork and organizing and political advocacy that's already being done.” — Sara Imperiale '10 , NRDC Litigation Director & Sr Attorney: Environment, Equity & Justice Center

“So just the idea that we can make, you know, big picture changes, when we work together, that is something that I carry with me and in the work that I do every single day.” — Diana Leguizamon '19 , Program Manager, New Jersey and Pennsylvania at Center For Support Schools

“...the way that we approach building relationships and holding each other accountable for caring for ourselves and for other people- we should lean into that as much as we can.” — Kyra Hickey, '21 , Community Engagement Coordinator at Binghamton University

“By the time I left Muhlenberg my understanding of community engagement was much more nuanced. It was much more bidirectional and complex.” — Adam Halpern '16 , Pediatric Resident at The Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital

“Knowing how to ask questions when I don't know something is a tool that I learned from work with the OCE.” — Shaynie Hayward '19 , Program Coordinator at BroadFutures, Inc.

NEWS AT MUHLENBERG

  • Muhlenberg Votes

    The Muhlenberg community demonstrates high levels of political engagement through robust student voter registration and turnout efforts, the work of a nationally recognized polling institute and a series of election-related events that have been happening every presidential and midterm election year since 1992.

  • Senior Uses $5,000 Grant to Make an Impact at Nearby Elementary School

    Maddie Davidson ’25 received a Youth Climate Action Fund Grant from the City of Allentown to create a tree science and stewardship project at Allentown School District’s Muhlenberg Elementary School. She will also present at a worldwide conference called CityLab being held October 14-16 in Mexico City.

OCE Social Media

Contact Us

Office of Community Engagement

Email [email protected] Telephone 484-664-3121
Address Muhlenberg College College Life First Floor, Fahy Commons 2400 Chew Street Allentown, PA 18104