The Civic Engagement Center
Civic engagement is individual and collective action designed to identify and address issues of public concern.
3 Ways to Engage
Service-Learning
Apply what you learn in the classroom to help your community and reflect upon your experiences to gain a deeper understanding of course objectives.
Volunteering
Dedicate your services to benefit others and your community! Not only are you helping organizations, but the lives of individuals who need you.
Voting & Advocacy
Voting is one of the key ways that you can contribute to the democratic process. You have the right to make your voice heard through local, state, and national elections.
Top 10 Reasons to Engage
- Students who participate in Service-Learning start their career with a higher salary.
- Volunteering enhances your resume and job applications.
- You will be giving something back to your community.
- You will gain experience and learn something new.
- You can support a cause you feel strongly about.
- Volunteering with friends, partner, or children is a great bonding experience.
- Students with SL experience have higher graduation rate.
- You will become an active member of your community.
- It may be a course requirement or an extra credit option.
- You will be doing something great for your community!
Contact Us: Mawhinney 310J • cec@sunyocc.edu • (315) 498–2923
Yvonne have more than 20 years of experience in service-learning curriculum development, integration in the classroom and student organizations (PTK/Honors), establishment of working relationships with community members, and scholarly presentations at various National and local conferences/workshops.
Email: t.saka2@sunyocc.edu
Phone: (315) 498-2144
Office: C140E
Tim Saka is the Instructional Technology Librarian at the Coulter Library at OCC. He is also the chair of the Outreach Committee within Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) Council. Tim advises the Muslim Student Association (MSA) on campus.
Tim was born and raised in Turkey. He received his M.A degree in Informational Technology and Library Media at the University of Colorado at Denver. Then, he worked as a teacher and a school administrator for 10 years in the K-12 public school system before his career at OCC. Tim is the board president of the non-profit organization - CNY RISE Center. Tim received the “Community Service Award” from 100 Black Men of Syracuse in 2019. Tim delivered a TedX Talk, in April 2018, on the topic of “Venn Diagram of Religions, An Interfaith Approach to Coexist”. Outside the OCC campus, Tim enjoys playing table tennis and fishing.
The Civic Engagement Center (CEC) at OCC is a faculty initiative committed to promoting student involvement in community and public life.
Our Mission
The Civic Engagement Center will contribute positively and measurably to the community’s quality of life by creating, supporting, and expanding mutually beneficial partnerships and engaged scholarship that fosters a culture of civic responsibility and to create tomorrow’s leaders and agents of change. The CEC is committed to developing new opportunities as well as enhancing, expanding, and coordinating student volunteerism, service projects, academic service learning, and leadership development specific to community engagement and civic participation.
Our Vision
The dynamic programs, initiatives, and partnerships created and supported by the Civic Engagement Center will inspire future leaders, groundbreaking solutions, and meaningful collaborations that will empower Onondaga Community College students to expand their civic identities and help transform our campus and community.