Who We Are

Mission Statement

Established by Associated Students in July 2005, the mission of the Community Action Center (CAC) is to connect SJSU students with civic engagement opportunities that deepen the educational experience while promoting a lifelong commitment to civic engagement and activism.

Vision Statement

The A.S. Community Action Center strengthens the vision of Associated Students by providing a platform that encourages and supports civic engagement and advocacy, contributing to a more just society and producing the next generation of philanthropists and social justice practitioners.

CAC Core Values

  • Community: The CAC unifies individuals across a variety of identities, backgrounds, and experiences. Our positive, caring, and discerning community seeks to create a sense of belonging for SJSU students.
    Empowerment: We inspire students to find their agency and authentic voice by expressing their needs and experiences through our programs and events. Students will feel empowered to explore their passions and gain confidence in leadership.
  • Intersectionality: We understand the complexity and beauty of the multiple intersecting identities students bring. At the CAC, students will have the opportunity to examine and challenge multiple perspectives of others while understanding and embracing their whole self.
  • Growth: We believe that all students have the capacity to deepen their consciousness by building upon their unique lived experiences. The CAC encourages students to engage in challenging dialogues and reflections within a supportive space.
  • Solidarity: We cultivate support and advocacy for, and with, marginalized identities and communities. The CAC provides opportunities for students to gain a deeper understanding of injustices and work towards social change in the community.
  • Civic Engagement/Action: We believe students can influence social change in society with creativity, integrity, and compassion. Through the CAC, students are provided with the resources to examine and challenge personal acts of oppression, identify the values that lead to an inclusive community, and take action in their local and global communities.

Background

In 2000, the CSU Board of Trustees passed a resolution calling on each CSU president to “ensure that all students have opportunities to participate in community service, service learning, or both.” This prompted San José State University to launch its Center for Service Learning (CSL) in January 2000.

While the CSL helped faculty incorporate service-learning into academic plans, the campus was soon overwhelmed by community organizations seeking volunteers. A centralized clearinghouse to recruit and place SJSU students was plainly needed.

In response, the Associated Students of San José State University provided seed money for the Community Action Center in April 2005 to advance the philosophy of service to humanity. Although separate entities, the Center for Service Learning and the Community Action Center continue collaborative efforts to establish a prominent culture of service at San José State University.