Rochester Center for Community Leadership

Want to start your own business someday? Or maybe run for public office? The Medallion Program at the College offers workshops that can help you to become a better leader.

Looking back over the program's 10 years, about half of its participants have remained in or returned to Rochester, and five of the seven current University fellows will stay in the city.

“Everything I do is geared toward education and youth, education and youth—that’s where my passion lies” says Crystal Colon ’17, one of 10 recipients of the Independent Sector Student Community Service Award.

The student organization provides health care services to low-income members of the greater Rochester community, and is the inaugural winner of this challenge grant.

According to a national study, Rochester students voted in the 2012 presidential election at a similar rate to the national average -- at around 42 percent. This year, students share their students of how they have become engaged in what for most will be their first political contest.

“I like to help people, and it’s nice to go into the community and give back,” said Matthew Le '20, one of the more than 1,300 freshmen who began their college career in Rochester with the annual Wilson Day of community service.

Nineteen University students and recent graduates were recognized for their community service. Projects this year ranged from expanding literacy programs to increasing access to medical care for underserved individuals.

This year nearly 1,500 freshmen went out into the community to bond as a class, learn about the important work being done by organizations in their new home town, and volunteer to help.

In an effort to increase awareness of and participation in the democratic process, the University of Rochester’s Committee for Political Engagement (CPE) held a two-day photo shoot on October 28-29 called #TurnOutForWhat to document and share photos of Rochester students, faculty, and staff identifying what issues compel them to vote.

The incoming Class of 2018 fanned out into the surrounding neighborhoods of Rochester during the 26th annual Wilson Day of community service.