WCU Magazine Fall/Winter 2025

Dear West Chester University Community,

As a public institution and an anchor in our region, we at WCU believe it’s our responsibility to contribute to the common good. We’re proud to be a reliable partner, a trusted neighbor, and a catalyst for transformative change throughout the Commonwealth. Across our campus, students engage in meaningful, hands-on work with local nonprofits, school districts, small businesses, and health care providers. These moments are the result of careful planning. We design community-engaged learning experiences that enrich our students’ education while also meeting real needs. Our community is stronger for it.

We have the knowledge, the expertise, and the talent to make a difference. Our Center for Community Engagement and Social Impact (CCESI) and our Center for Community Solutions contribute to this effort by helping ensure that these partnerships are meaningful and sustainable. Experiences with our community partners shape who our students become and where they go as alumni. Lessons learned here, in partnership with our community, are lessons that last.

When I think about West Chester’s role in our community, I’m struck by how naturally this work aligns with who we are as an institution. We are both an academic destination and a vital part of the communities we serve. All of us should be proud of the results we achieve in our classrooms and the impact that extends beyond them.

Yours,

Laurie Bernotsky, DPhil
President
West Chester University