The Division of Community Affairs is helping the University fulfill its mission to advance the intellectual and social condition of the people of Alabama through innovative programs that connect our mission of teaching, research, and service in ways that improve the quality of life for individuals and communities.

Community Affairs provides research seed funding, recognition programs, and the publication of the leading international peer-reviewed journal on the scholarship of community/university partnership and engagement, all of which support the efforts of faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

Vote Everywhere Presentation

Crossroads Civic Engagement Center

The mission of Crossroads Civic Engagement Center, an initiative of the Division of Community Affairs, is to develop engaged citizens for the State of Alabama and the world. We do this through teaching, research, and service focused on four civic pillars: values, knowledge, skills, and action.

Center for Community-Based Partnerships

The Center for Community-Based Partnerships' role is to connect faculty, staff, students and community partners in research-based projects designed to solve critical problems identified collaboratively by community members and the University.

Student Community Engagement Center

Anchor Organizations in the Student Community Engagement Center have dedicated office space in the SCEC, work to develop an action plan for advancing their community partnerships and engagement initiatives, and assess and evaluate the impact of their work.

Man standing at the front of the room talking to people

Council on Community-Based Partnerships

The Council exists to connect faculty, staff, students and community partners in research-based projects designed to solve critical problems identified collaboratively by community members and the University. All academic disciplines are represented on a Council made up of campus and community members.

Excellence in Community Engagement Awards

Each spring semester, the Council on Community-Based Partnerships recognizes outstanding achievements in engagement scholarship. Students, faculty, staff and their community partners are honored for excellence in community-based research.

Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship

The Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship (JCES) is a peer-reviewed international journal through which faculty, staff, students, and community partners disseminate scholarly works.

United Way

The Division of Community Affairs leads the coordinating efforts for the annual UA United Way Campaign with a structure that provides opportunities for UA colleges and administrative units to host the campaign each year.

Female musical artist on stage singing into a microphone

Realizing the Dream

The University of Alabama, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, Shelton State Community College, and Stillman College presented the first Realizing the Dream concert in 1990 at a time when many communities were just beginning to establish traditions to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King.

Board of Advisors

The Community Affairs Board of Advisors is comprised of young alumni who possess a commitment to community engagement and student success. These outstanding leaders share a common desire to serve, and clearly understand the importance of giving back.