Princeton Review ranks Brandeis first in the US for student community service

Photo/Mike Lovett

Brandeis University was named the top-ranked college for student engagement in community service by Princeton Review, a recognition of Brandeis’ longstanding commitment to social justice and giving back.

“It’s so rewarding to see our students being celebrated for their commitment and service to the community,” says Lucas Malo, director of the department of community service at Brandeis. “Student leadership here is unique. The mission of our institution attracts students who actively engage in their communities.”

Under the mantra of “Within Community Comes Unity,” Malo oversees all clubs and organizations that provide service to the local, national and global communities. The Waltham Group, which will celebrate its 50^th anniversary in 2016 and is the largest student community service organization at Brandeis, logged more than 45,000 hours of community service with more than 1,500 students serving as volunteers this past academic year. Other student-led organizations, such as the Brandeis Emergency Medical Corps Organization and Student Athlete Advisory Committee, also logged hundreds of hours worth of service to the community.

“Our students work for a variety of causes, both through advocacy and direct service,” said Malo. “I am inspired by their passion and commitment.”

The Princeton Review rankings are based on survey responses by 136,000 students at 380 colleges. This is the first year that it assessed student engagement in community service. Brandeis also was ranked as the 16^th most LGBQT-friendly campus, a reflection, in part, of the work of the women and gender studies program and the Gender and Sexuality Center.