Wagner added to third “Program to Look For

For Immediate Release

Service Learning

Wagner added to third “Program to Look For” in new U.S. News & WR College Guide

NEW YORK, NY -- “Service learning” at Wagner College on Staten Island has been added to “Programs to Look For” in U.S. News & World Reports’ guide to America’s Best Colleges which was released today.

This, along with “first-year experiences” and “learning communities” brings to three the number of the guide’s “Programs to Look For” found on the campus of this 2000-student liberal arts college in New York City.

With its multiple listings Wagner College stands alone among New York City institutions. New York University is the only other school in the metropolitan region with a program – “study abroad” – included in U.S. News & World Report’s list of “Programs to Look For.”

“Service learning is a euphemism for learning from working on projects that benefit the community,” said Richard Guarasci, president of Wagner. “This concept is deeply imbedded in our landmark curriculum, The Wagner Plan for the Practical Liberal Arts. Every student at Wagner participates in at least one, and many two or more, long-term community service projects.” Annually, Wagner students devote more than 85,000 hours in service to New York and metropolitan community agencies.

Wagner’s emphasis on service learning in New York City is one of the reasons for the college’s resurgence. Since the Wagner Plan was adopted nearly a decade ago, undergraduate enrollment has increased by about 40 percent, the endowment has grown from about $2.4 million to $36 million, and the college has become a national model for the integration of the liberal arts, professional studies, and civic engagement.

For more information, contact John Ross, Wagner office of communications, 718/420-4599, or john.ross@wagne.edu.