Point Park University's Center for Civic and Community Engagement serves as a hub to support collaboration and social innovation between the campus and the community. The Center supports Point Park's faculty, staff and students in partnerships with local nonprofit and community members who are involved with engaged scholarship, service-learning and community-based projects by mobilizing university-community partnerships to address societal challenges. The Center's primary focus is on our nonprofit partners and urban renewal in our Downtown Pittsburgh communities.
iLab at Point Park University
The iLab, located on the first floor of 101 Wood Street, is a social innovation collaborative space for trainings, meetings, design thinking sessions, strategic planning and community events.
Nonprofit Outreach and Storytelling
Wood Street Communications is an on-campus agency operated in partnership with the School of Communication that connects nonprofits seeking assistance with communications services with Point Park students.Sustainable Cities Research and Programming
The Center works with community partners to support a healthy, thriving downtown through urban research and revitalization. PhD students have completed research projects.
Project Impact Volunteer & Civic Engagement
The Center serves as a hub for faculty, staff, students and alumni to serve our community through volunteering, service learning and civic engagement opportunities. Project Impact engages students from middle school through graduate programs to collaborate to serve their communities.
- The Bonner Leaders Program is a national, four-year, undergraduate civic-engagement program providing leadership programming, academic support, engagement opportunities, and a social network. The founding mission for the Bonner Program is to provide diverse low-income, under-represented, and first-generation students with the opportunity to attend college while engaging their talents and education in building and supporting communities.
- 412 Impact Service Learning Camp is a youth and high school summer program through which attendees work with nonprofit organizations on volunteer projects both on- and off-campus and develop their own ideas to help the community.
- Pioneer Partners is a volunteer program that brings together Point Park students, faculty, staff and alumni to serve nonprofit organizations in our region.
Student Basic Needs Support
Point Park is committed to serving students' basic needs, including food, clothing and other financial supports.
- Pioneer Pantry Corner Store is an on-campus pantry that serves students in need. Students may order items from the pantry website and pick up any time. The Corner Store is located on the first floor of Thayer Hall near the student one-stop center. The Pantry also hosts monthly Produce Pop-Ups to bring fresh produce to campus.
- The Bison Exchange is an on-campus thrift store through which students in need may receive career-ready and other clothing and other accessories free of charge. It is located on the 8th floor of Lawrence Hall.
- The Community Garden, located in the parking lot behind West Penn Building, grows a variety of produce, herbs and vegetables that are harvested for the Point Park Community on a regular basis.
- Other basic needs initiatives include a Thanksgiving meal drive, an annual winter clothing drive, a gift card donation program and basic needs research.
Community Engagement Support & Recognition
- Excellence in Community Engagement Awards recognize students, faculty and community partners for their dedication to service, research, engagement and community partnerships.
- Community Engagement Badges provide an opportunity for students to be recognized for their work with area nonprofits and community organizations.
- Social Impact Grants Program funds interdisciplinary social impact projects connecting Point Park to organizations in the region to effect social change.
Events and Community Conversations
TEDx Point Park University is an annual event that brings together six dynamic speakers to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group and share TED’s spirit of ideas worth spreading. The event is held each Fall and focuses on a different theme each year. View previous TEDx events and talks below.- Renewal (2024) invites thought leaders, innovators and the curious-minded to explore the many facets of rebirth, rejuvenation and revival in various fields.
- Thrive (2021) Life in the 21st century is increasingly hectic, and even keeping up with the latest technology can be overwhelming and stressful. Add in work/personal commitments and many of us find it difficult to balance some of life's daily struggles. In an effort to thrive in our own environments, we look for inspiration from those around us. The Thrive speakers will share stories about how they have overcome some of life's challenges and continue to thrive.
- Aging Gracefully (2019) features a lineup of six exceptional speakers, including educators, creative thinkers and community activists who have found meaning, growth and fulfillment as their professional and personal lives have evolved.
- Building Bridges (2018) brings together six innovators who will tell their own unique stories of bridge building.