Community Engagement

SOCIAL JUSTICE IN ACTION

ALL PITZER STUDENTS TAKE A SOCIAL JUSTICE THEORY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE PRAXIS PAIRED COURSE SEQUENCE TO GAIN A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

In the Social Justice Theory coursework, students study the diverse theoretical frameworks, movements and histories of social justice. In the Social Responsibility Praxis fieldwork, students put theory into practice through active community engagement.

Some Course Sequence Examples

  • Agricultural Economics.
    In Class: Explore the global supply and demand side of markets for agricultural goods.
    In the Field: Work with Huerta del Valle on economic analysis for new projects like planting avocado trees.
  • Latina/o Community Health.
    In Class:
    Examine issues affecting Chicano(a) / Latina(o) health in the U.S.
    In the Field:
    Intern at least four hours a week at Bienestar Human Services in Pomona and East Los Angeles.
Pitzer College Community Engagement
TOP 5
BEST COLLEGES FOR ACTIVISTS

Newsweek

#2
IN THE NATION
MOST POLITICALLY ACTIVE STUDENTS

Princeton Review, Best Colleges 2018

100%
OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN
SERVICE LEARNING OR COMMUNITY
ENGAGEMENT BEFORE GRADUATION

CASA PITZER

CASA PITZER IS A COMPREHENSIVE, SEMESTER-LONG COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATION AND CULTURAL IMMERSION PROGRAM IN ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA.

Sophomores and Juniors may participate in the CASA Pitzer semester. Students engage in a three-course curriculum which relies heavily on experiential learning opportunities including field trips and a 135-hour internship experience with our community partners.

Pitzer Ontario

Field Trips: A Sampling

  • U.S.- Mexico Border and Immigration. A two-day trip to the border exploring factors involved in understanding immigration and border economies.
  • Toxic Tour of the Inland Empire. An introduction to the toxic and super-fund sites in the Inland Empire, including the environmental history of this region and a model for community-based organization and action.
  • Housing Tour. A look at housing models and alternatives being implemented in Los Angeles and the Inland Empire to combat the lack of affordable housing and homelessness.
Pitzer College Ontario

Community Partners: A Sampling

  • Huerta del Valle. A community garden and urban agriculture project working to improve community health through environmental, educational, policy and promotional strategies.
  • Inland Empire Immigrant Youth Coalition. An undocumented and Queer/Trans youth-led organization providing advocacy and support to other undocumented youth in the IE.
  • Partners for Better Health. A nonprofit tackling health problems by providing affordable services and access to healthy food, exercise and other programs.
  • Riverside All Of Us Or None & Starting Over Inc. Previously incarcerated people advocating for policy change and reform of the prison industrial complex.
Meet Pitzer Professor Alicia Bonaparte
Meet Pitzer Alum Deborah Lieberman
Take a Tour of Pitzer

CENTERS, INSTITUTES AND CONSERVANCIES

PITZER STUDENTS ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED WITH COMMUNITIES AND RESEARCH THROUGH THESE COMMUNITY-BASED ENTITIES.

The Community Engagement Center (CEC)
  • The Community Engagement Center (CEC).
    Students and faculty connect with local organizations to create community-based research, service learning and experiential education opportunities that enhance the social, environmental, cultural and economic health of communities. More than 400 student are involved with the CEC annually.
The Robert Redford Conservancy for Southern California Sustainability
  • The Robert Redford Conservancy for Southern California Sustainability.
    The Conservancy prepares students to create solutions to the most challenging environmental and sustainability issues facing the planet today through a confluence of art, media, environmental sciences and creativity.
Ferré/Marquet Vaccine Research Center
  • Ferré/Marquet Vaccine Research Center.
    The Center develops cost-effective vaccines to address urgent health issues in southern Africa. Faculty and students perform cutting-edge bioscience research to improve healthcare in developing countries.
  • Institute for Global/Local Action & Study.
    The Institute for Global/Local Action & Study prepares students to become problem-solving citizens of the world through programs cultivating intercultural literacy and experiential learning.
  • Munroe Center for Social Inquiry.
    The Munroe Center hosts public events and lectures promoting interdisciplinary learning and public inquiry. Student Fellows pursue focused research related to the Center’s yearly theme, which recently have included Technology Changes, Examining the City, Schooling in Mass Societies and Capitalism in Question.
Firestone Center for Restoration Ecology
  • Firestone Center for Restoration Ecology.
    Located in Costa Rica and associated with our study abroad program, the Center hosts student and faculty research. It focuses on human and tropical ecology, resource management, reforestation, permaculture, sustainable agriculture practices and community-based education.
  • Center for Asian Pacific American Students.
    The Center serves as an advocate for the Asian and Pacific Islander community and promotes an educational dialogue embracing the unique experiences of ethnic communities.
  • Claremont Infant Study Center.
    The Center conducts ongoing research to study and explore the ways babies from birth to nine months of age perceive and learn from the world around them.