Saints Lead the Way on Social Justice

Siena has been recognized by Leading Colleges for its commitment to social justice and its role as an agent of change.

The goal of Leading Colleges is to create a meaningful lens for schools and independent counselors to identify student-centered colleges and universities. Using an industry nomination model, schools and independent counselors can nominate institutions they believe meet the criteria for achievements in four categories: social justice, recruitment, retention, and outcomes.

Fr. Ken Himes, O.F.M., interim director of Siena's Franciscan Center for Service and Advocacy, noted that the College's Franciscan identity inspires its commitment to offering "a broad array of activities that promote a spirit of service and concern for the society in which we live.

"Siena has long promoted volunteer service in the Capital Region and raised awareness about social justice through events and programs focused on societal ills," said Fr. Ken. "Among its programs is an academic minor in which students study the Franciscan tradition of care and compassion, as well as internships with organizations engaged in bringing about a more just, peaceful and sustainable world."

Siena also manifests this commitment through the restorative and transformational approach to its criminal justice studies major.

"To be honored by Leading Colleges as a socially just campus is particularly exciting as we are only into the third year of this restorative justice-focused, interdisciplinary program," said coordinator Annie Rody-Wright, J.D. "It is heartening to be recognized for educating Saints to become changemakers - individuals who can assess when justice reforms are needed, envision what transformation could look like, and advocate for the realization of these changes."

Rody-Wright said criminal justice students are taught that "as members of a community, it is our duty and privilege to discover how to help those who caused harm not to harm again, to show them a better path, so we can all flourish together, as a society. That is 'doing justice,' the Siena-way, in a nutshell."

Another feature that made Siena stand out in the social justice category is the Center for Academic Community Engagement (ACE), which connects students, faculty, administrators, and staff with nonprofit organizations and community members to address together locally-identified challenges such as access to nutritional food and affordable housing.

"We strive to build collaborative initiatives that center students and adhere to socially just approaches to community work," said ACE Director Allison Schultz, Ed.D. "Our mission is to build transformative and impactful experiential learning opportunities for Siena students through equity centered community engagement programs such as Bonner Service Leaders, Nonprofit Excellence and Transformation, AmeriCorps VISTA, and the Siena Project Incubator."