Sign Up for Our Events

Find all of our Center events on the Engage platform and sign up for everything that interests you. 

Federal Work Study

Interested in making money while working on campus OR in the community while gaining valuable work experience for your future? Check out the current opportunities available to students who have been awarded Federal Work Study!

Campus Food Pantry

All Penn State Brandywine students facing food insecurity are encouraged to utilize our Campus Food Pantry on the 1st Floor of Vairo Library.

Career Wardrobe

Students can shop for clean, gently used professional clothing to dress for success for internships, job interviews and other career opportunities. Located in the quiet room of Vairo Library (downstairs).

Learn. Engage. Create Change.

 

The Center for Social Impact at Penn State Brandywine develops pathways for students to become socially responsible leaders and citizens who are prepared to create positive change in the world. 

Become Aware. 

One of the earliest steps in becoming an active citizen involves learning about the conflicts and issues in our society, both locally and globally. Developing personal awareness of issues provides an individual with knowledge and motivation that will eventually lead to action. 

 

Take Part. 

Issues in our communities can be complex and difficult to solve. Improving our communities — making them a place where people are healthy, safe, and cared for — is an ongoing task. The ability to partner with other organizations and individuals is essential to the building of healthier communities.

Work Study. 

Federal Work Study gives eligible students the opportunity to receive financial support in return for their work and service. With this program, students are given the ability to work either on campus or off-campus with community partners in meaningful roles. 

The Center In Action

A selection of videos featuring the Center for Social Impact’s programs and events.

Center for Social Impact Calendar of Events

Instagram Feed

Follow our social media accounts for engagement opportunities, campus or community events, and more!

In the News

A selection of articles written about the Center for Social Impact.

(Formerly known as the Center for Ethics and Civic Engagement) 

Brandywine student leaders honored at annual awards banquet

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

APRIL 19, 2023 — Penn State Brandywine students who have impacted the campus through their service and leadership were honored at an awards banquet on April 17. The annual leadership banquet celebrates the achievements of students who are involved with clubs, student government and campus programs.

Student engagement expo highlights research, internships, clubs, art and more

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

APRIL 12, 2023 — Penn State Brandywine’s student engagement expo, held April 11 in the campus gymnasium, showcased the academic, co-curricular and experiential work of more than 125 student presenters.

Brandywine Student Spotlight: Naimah Dristi

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

April 3, 2023 — Meet Naimah Dristi, a third-year psychology major at Penn State Brandywine and a Center for Social Impact intern!

Brandywine Student Spotlight: Francis Linus

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

March 20, 2023 — Meet Francis Linus, a second-year political science major at Penn State Brandywine and a Center for Social Impact intern!

Brandywine Student Spotlight: Cortez Catalano

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

March 6, 2023 — Meet Cortez Catalano, a first-year biology major at Penn State Brandywine and a Center for Social Impact intern!

Brandywine’s Center for Social Impact reimplements gift card assistance program

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

MARCH 2, 2023 — Penn State Brandywine’s Center for Social Impact reimplemented a gift card assistance program for students in need for the spring 2023 semester. This program first began in the spring 2020 semester to help students purchase needed items during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brandywine Student Spotlight: Angel Asomugha

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

February 24, 2023 — Meet Angel Asomugha, a fourth-year business major at Penn State Brandywine and a Center for Social Impact intern!

Brandywine Student Spotlight: Benjamin Keller

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

February 23, 2023 — Meet Benjamin Keller, a first-year biochemistry student and Center for Social Impact intern at Penn State Brandywine.

Brandywine Student Spotlight: Roshni Siddique Ohi

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

February 14, 2023 — Meet Roshni Siddique Ohi, a third-year psychology major at Penn State Brandywine and a Center for Social Impact intern!

Brandywine campus garden receives funding for expansion

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

January 30, 2023 — A $9,750 grant, funded by the Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses, will allow for enhancements to Penn State Brandywine’s campus garden as part of a new “Leading Practices” showcase inspired by Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi’s listening tour of the Commonwealth Campuses in spring 2022. Plans are for the garden — which opened in 2014 for students to engage in hands-on learning — to expand from 2,500 square feet to 3,600 square feet and add an indoor garden system that is hydroponic, self-fertilizing and vertical growing.

Penn State Brandywine honors Martin Luther King Jr. during MLK 2023

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

January 20, 2023 — The Center for Social Impact at Penn State Brandywine held MLK 2023 week from Jan. 16-19 to honor the late Martin Luther King Jr. The week consisted of volunteering, connecting and learning opportunities for the Penn State community to participate in, both in person and online.

Brandywine appoints interim director for Center for Social Impact

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

November 4, 2022 — Christine Brown has been appointed the interim Rosenberg Director of Penn State Brandywine’s Center for Social Impact as of Nov. 1. She succeeds Vippy Yee, the inaugural director of the Center, which was formerly known as the Center for Ethics and Civic Engagement.

Student Spotlight: McKenna Loney

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

October 25, 2022 — Learn all about McKenna Loney: president of Brandywine Music Association (BMA); campus garden intern at the Center for Social Impact; peer mentor for Lion Guidez; intern for the Restorative Justice, Equity, Anti-Racism League; orientation leader; member of Sustainability Club.

Local Rotarians donate professional attire for Brandywine students

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

October 7, 2022 — On Oct. 5, members of the Rotary Club of Media dropped off 295 items for Penn State Brandywine’s campus clothing drive. The suits, ties, shirts, blouses, sweaters, skirts, pants, shoes and coats will be shared with students who may need professional attire for Brandywine’s upcoming career fair and other professional opportunities.

A Bountiful Feast Awaits You Weekly

FROM THE LION’S EYE

September 28, 2022 — The Penn State Brandywine community is invited every Wednesday to harvest herbs or vegetables from the campus garden located beside Orchard Hall.

Penn State Brandywine student honored as Newman Civic Fellow

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

April 20, 2022 — Brisa Luzzi Castro, a second-year student at Penn State Brandywine, has been named a Newman Civic Fellow by Campus Compact, a national coalition of colleges and universities working to advance the public purposes of higher education. She will join 173 student civic leaders from 38 states, Washington, D.C., and Mexico who will make up the organization’s 2022-23 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows.

Brandywine student leaders honored at annual awards ceremony

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

April 22, 2022 — Penn State Brandywine students who have impacted the campus through their leadership and service were honored at a ceremony on April 18. The annual leadership awards program highlights the achievements of students involved with clubs, student government and campus programs.

Brandywine student engagement expo showcases research, art, internships and more

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

April 15, 2022 — Penn State Brandywine’s student engagement expo, held April 12 in the campus gymnasium, highlighted the academic, co-curricular and experiential pursuits of more than 130 students.

Social Justice Fair to spotlight environmental racism, justice

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

March 25, 2022 — Environmental racism and justice will be the focus of this year’s social justice fair organized by Penn State Brandywine’s Center for Ethics and Civic Engagement and Student Affairs office. The weeklong series of events, held March 28 to April 1, will explore the global and local aspects of environmental racism and justice and includes interactive sessions with activists, student leaders, storytellers, Brandywine professors and public officials.

“Wake” premiere invites Brandywine community to take action

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

February 4, 2022 — Introducing his documentary “Wake” to a crowd of students, faculty and staff on Feb. 3, documentarian Jake Mejias, a Penn State alumnus who attended Brandywine, emphasized his hope that the documentary would spark action in the community.

'Wake' documentarian Jacob Mejias discusses film ahead of February premiere

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

January 31, 2022 – Jacob Mejias, a Penn State graduate who attended Brandywine, recently participated in a virtual discussion and preview of his documentary “Wake.”

Brandywine, Abington, World Campus celebrate meaningful week of MLK programming

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

January 21, 2022 – With the words of Martin Luther King Jr. playing over the sounds of voices and activities, students, faculty, staff and community members gathered at Penn State Brandywine on Jan. 17 to celebrate the life and legacy of the civil rights icon.

Brandywine’s Center for Ethics and Civic Engagement plans MLK Day events

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

January 6, 2022 – Penn State Brandywine’s Center for Ethics and Civic Engagement is presenting a week-long lineup of programming that includes service, education and activism opportunities in honor of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Student Spotlight: Jannat Chowdhury

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

October 29, 2021 – Penn State Brandywine’s Student Spotlight highlights the remarkable work being done by students in leadership, academics, service, athletics and more.

TEDxPSUBrandywine to amplify climate crisis solutions

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

October 22, 2021 – Penn State Brandywine’s Civic & Community Engagement Club is partnering with TEDx Countdown — a global initiative to champion and accelerate solutions to the climate crisis— to present TEDxPSUBrandywine on Wednesday, Nov. 17 in the Student Union on campus.

Student Spotlight: Brisa Luzzi Castro

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

September 30, 2021 – Penn State Brandywine’s Student Spotlight highlights the remarkable work being done by students in leadership, academics, service, athletics and more.

Social justice fair examines mass incarceration, racial justice

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

April 23, 2021 – Penn State Brandywine’s annual social justice fair, held the week of April 12, focused on the theme of “Mass Incarceration and Racial Justice.” 

Penn State Brandywine to host annual Social Justice Fair

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

March 26, 2021 – Penn State Brandywine’s Center for Ethics and Civic Engagement, in partnership with Penn State Abington and Penn State World Campus, will host a series of virtual events from April 12 to 16 for the campus’ annual Social Justice Fair. As part the Social Justice Fair, students, faculty and staff are also invited to take part in a photo contest.

Helping Our Community One Mask at a Time

FROM THE LION’S EYE
March 3, 2021 – The Civic & Community Engagement club organized a mask-making service project over winter break 2020 to donate masks to the Surrey Services for Seniors center in Media for seniors in need. The community project has been extended through the rest of the spring semester, with the hopes of making it an ongoing project.

Brandywine, Abington collaborate on series of MLK Day events

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

February 22, 2021 – Taking advantage of virtual meeting technology, Penn State Brandywine and Penn State Abington partnered on a series of events to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in January. Nearly 200 people attended at least one of the eight events held Jan. 18-28, including Penn State students, faculty and staff as well as community members.

Couple makes estate gift to the Center for Ethics and Civic Engagement

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

November 17, 2020 — David M. and Marjorie Rosenberg, friends of Penn State Brandywine, have pledged an estate gift of $250,000.

Brandywine’s campus food pantry supports students in need of food assistance

FROM PENN STATE BRANDYWINE

November 5, 2020 — Go behind the scenes of our Campus Food Pantry by reading this Penn State Brandywine news article. Learn all about the origins of the pantry, meet the students working to fulfill orders, and hear the vision for expanding its services for the future.