The John J. Binienda Center for Civic Engagement was established originally as the Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement in the Spring of 2006 by a group of distinguished faculty at Worcester State University.  The center was gifted by the family of John Binienda in 2014 and the center renamed in the honor of our distinguished Alum.  Our Center serves as a hub for civic engagement activities at Worcester State University. We support students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners in developing, implementing, and evaluating high impact community engagement initiatives, including community engaged teaching, research, and creative work, both inside and outside of the classroom. Our philosophy is to approach all civic engagement activities with a desire to cultivate student leaders through public service and volunteer engagement, strengthen communities, and advance civic education. Worcester State University proudly holds the prestigious Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement and identifies Engaged Citizenship as a core institutional value, reflecting a commitment to community service, social justice, the democratic process, environmental sustainability, and global awareness in preparing students to be active and informed citizens. As a public higher education institution anchored in Worcester, our Center’s activities deepen our connection to the city while creating avenues for social impact on a global scale. We lead our public service efforts in honor of former Massachusetts State Representative John J. Binienda and his family. Faculty, staff, students and community partners needing support in civic learning and engagement practices are invited to contact the center's director at: WSU_BiniendaCenter@worcester.edu