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In all we do, seek to advance the common good.

At the Center for the Common Good, we connect University of St. Thomas students, faculty, and staff with community engagement opportunities so we can understand today’s most pressing social challenges, build mutually-beneficial relationships, and work toward innovative solutions—all for the common good.

When we put our efforts together, we gain a deeper understanding of complex issues, create stronger communities, and become inspired to take action.

85k

Volunteer hours worked annually

300+

Community partner organizations

Community engaged & changemaking courses annually

Students volunteer annually

Explore: Volunteering

Learn: Engaged Courses

Engage: Changemaking

Discover opportunities to address inequities, environmental issues, and other identified concerns by partnering with community organizations.

In collaboration with a community-based organization, examine the systems and theories that relate to complex social challenges.

Make a positive societal impact, whether as an individual or part of a larger whole, that can ignite positive social change in our community.

Student and Community Partner Testimonies

I feel like I truly helped my community this summer. I learned to be a better leader and got to explore new ways to help my community. All of these skills and experiences will help me tremendously in my daily life and in future challenges. - Tommie Corp Scholar	Our Tommie Volunteer took initiative with projects and delivered far above expectations. He completed some major tasks and left a lasting impression with our team. Excellent representation of the quality of students that St. Thomas has! - Second Harvest Heartland

Center for the Common Good Affiliations and Memberships

Carnegie Classification

Campus Compact

MAVA

ARNOVA

Contemplative Mind in Society

International Association for Research on Service-Learning and Community Engagement

Center for Common Good News

In a Year of Challenges, Tommie Shelf Rises and Expands

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 15:57:10 +0000 Brant Skogrand '04 MBC author

In a year when the only constant is change, one of the university’s comforting familiarities has been Tommie Shelf.

Contributing to a More Sustainable Campus Through Tommie’s Closet

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 18:23:32 +0000 Brant Skogrand '04 MBC author

The St. Thomas community now has an additional opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable campus thanks to the launch of Tommie’s Closet, a campuswide clothing swap system in Anderson Student Center (ASC).

Taking Action

Thu, 28 Jan 2021 20:02:11 +0000 Jamie Tjornehoj '22 author

As St. Thomas looks back on this challenging year, here are some ways university members moved forward with purpose.

Photos of the Year – Mark Brown

Fri, 18 Dec 2020 00:00:00 +0000 Mark Brown author

It’s sometimes hard to remember that this year started out with a semblance of normalcy. Some students took J–Term study trips and sports teams were still competing into March as COVID-19 slowly began to dominate our lives. The killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police officers in May opened wounds and brought renewed calls for reform and racial justice to the […]

Tommie Give Day Collaboration Provides 900 Masks to Catholic Charities

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 00:11:49 +0000 Brant Skogrand '04 MBC author

The number of donors and dollars raised on Tommie Give Day shattered previous records, and the Tommie Network rallied for a community partner: Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis.

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