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Center for Community Engagement

David & Frances Brain Center for Community Engagement

Contact

(440) 826-2403, BrainCenter@bw.edu

Campus Location

Strosacker Hall - Student Union
120 E. Grand St.
Berea, OH 44017

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Office Hours

Academic Year: Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Information for Current Students

Current students should go to Community Engagement in Jacket Connect for program information and registrations and to apply for the Brain Center Leadership Team.

COVID-19 Policies and Guidelines

Brain Center Community Engagement Policies for 2021-2022

Student Volunteer Community Engagement Commitment & Safety Guidelines

About the Center

For more than 30 years, the David & Frances Brain Center for Community Engagement has upheld the University's mission of empowering students to become contributing, compassionate citizens of an increasingly global society. Formerly known as the Office of Community Outreach, the office was renamed in 2016 in recognition of the contributions of David and Frances Brain to support this on-going mission, allowing for an expansion of programs and resources.

The Center for Community Engagement offers a variety of ways for students to get involved and fulfill experiential learning requirements by serving at the local, national and international levels. Opportunities include one-time projects, weekly service, alternative breaks, international service, leadership positions and more. Students gain valuable experience in leadership roles as alternative spring break leaders, College Explorations coordinators, special projects team members, Super Saturday coordinators and coordinators for weekly programs.

2020-2021 Annual Report >>
2019-2020 Annual Report >>
2018-2019 Annual Report >>

2017-2018 Annual Report >>

2016-2017 Annual Report >>

Programs for Students

Community Partners

The Center for Community Engagement partners with many community organizations throughout Berea and the Greater Cleveland community. Our philosophy is that service is reciprocal and therefore it is necessary to work in collaboration with our community partners to develop strategies and programs to meet identified community needs.

Throughout the academic year, the Center for Community Engagement develops community engagement opportunities through which students, faculty and staff can participate. By partnering with your organization, not only are we able to support your mission, but you are helping college students to foster important civic and leadership skills. Please contact us if you are interested in exploring other ways we can partner with your organization.

About David and Frances Brain

Frances Brain attended Baldwin Wallace on a small academic scholarship from 1941-1943. She was the first in her family to attend college and always regretted that she was not able to complete her education and earn her degree. She enjoyed every minute of her time at BW. She was in the work-study program and a proud member of Alpha Gamma Delta. David attended Baldwin Wallace on the GI Bill after serving in WW II. He was able to complete his degree in three years, working full time at night while supporting his wife, Frances, and their two daughters. David graduated from Baldwin Wallace in 1952, after which he pursued an MBA at Harvard Business School and went on to build a successful career in the insurance industry. David and Frances both gave generously of their time and talents to numerous community organizations and went on to found the Frances Hollis Brain Family Foundation, dedicated to providing for the basic needs of the underserved. In recognition of a transformational experience at BW, David and Frances established an endowment at Baldwin Wallace to teach and mentor undergraduates in leadership skills and promote the understanding that it is the responsibility of all leaders to give of themselves to enhance their communities.

Staff

Marsita Ferguson
Assistant Director of Community Engagement

Marsita Ferguson (she/her), joins the Brain Center as the assistant director by way of the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Court's probation department. She holds a bachelor of science in legal studies and an MBA from Lake Erie College, is a founding member of Black Lives Matter Lake County and the Lake County Program Liaison for the Barack Obama Foundation: My Brother's Keeper program. Marsita's passion for civic engagement and social justice has led her to run for city council, become a subject matter on cultural sensitivity for the Ohio Attorney General's office, and a DE&I task force member and consultant for organizations dedicated to community improvement.

Phone: (440) 826-3728
Email:
mlfergus@bw.edu

Adrian Griffin
Social Innovation Manger, David & Frances Brain Center for Community Engagement

Adrian (she/her/hers) joins the Brain Center for Community Engagement as the social innovation program manager. She came from Case Western Reserve University's civic engagement office (in the division of student affairs) and she is passionate about connecting students with the civic space. Adrian's education is in community organizing and nonprofit management; she has previously worked and volunteered in the fields of criminal justice reform and youth development. She loves to travel, dabble in the creative arts and take advantage of all the wonderful assets here in northeast Ohio. Adrian is eager to meet more of the BW community and collaborate in launching this exciting new social innovation initiative!

Email: aagriffi@bw.edu