Triple C's Mission: To provide statewide leadership in mobilizing resources, services, and partnerships that strengthen Ohio colleges and universities’ capacity to educate students for civic and social responsibility and to improve community life. | | 2026 Ping & Hoch Awards – Nominations Open | | | | |
Triple C is proud to honor individuals who make outstanding contributions to their campuses and communities.
Each year, the Ping & Hoch Awards celebrate students, faculty, and staff from Triple C partner institutions who demonstrate exceptional leadership in service-learning and community engagement.
- Nominations Now Open!
- Deadline: February 20
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is Monday, January 19
On Monday, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy of justice, equality, and service to community. His words remind us of the power of collective action to create lasting change.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: ‘What are you doing for others?’” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
At Triple C, we live out this call to action by connecting campuses and communities to address critical issues and empower students to serve. Together, we’re building more compassionate, inclusive communities where everyone can thrive.
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Celebrating Ohio Campuses Recognized for Community Engagement | |
Triple C is proud to congratulate our Ohio member campuses that have been recognized with the 2026 Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement.
This national designation, awarded by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the American Council on Education, honors colleges and universities that demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to meaningful, sustained partnerships with their communities.
This year, more than 230 institutions nationwide received the classification, highlighting their work in fostering civic engagement, creating real-world learning opportunities for students, and building knowledge that benefits both campuses and communities.
We are excited to celebrate the following Triple C member institutions in Ohio:
- Ohio University
- The Ohio State University
- The University of Akron
- Xavier University
- Youngstown State University
| | | | VISTA Leader Opportunity with Triple C | | |
Triple C is excited to share an opportunity for AmeriCorps and PeaceCorps alumni: we are recruiting a VISTA Leader to support our statewide Communities Thriving initiative.
This position plays a key role in strengthening basic needs efforts for college students across Ohio by supporting VISTA members, coordinating statewide meetings, building resource inventories, and connecting campus and community partners.
The ideal candidate has already completed one year of national service and is eager to grow as a leader while advancing student success.
Interested candidates should email their resume and proof of previous service to Stephanie Dodd.
| | If your campus is interested in hosting a Communities Thriving AmeriCorps VISTA member through Triple C, please reach out to Stephanie Dodd for details. | |
Mount St. Joseph University Seeking
AmeriCorps VISTA
Triple C partner Mount St. Joseph University is currently recruiting a Communities Thriving AmeriCorps VISTA for a one-year, full-time national service position focused on strengthening community support systems for families in the Cincinnati region.
This role will support the university’s Parenting Academy and advance family engagement by:
- Creating advocacy toolkits for parents
- Building partnerships with schools, agencies, and community-based organizations
- Supporting peer connection and community outreach
- Conducting research to identify service gaps and develop solutions
AmeriCorps VISTA members receive a living allowance, education award or end-of-service stipend, professional training, and healthcare benefits.
If you or someone you know is passionate about service and systems change, we encourage you to apply. To apply, please email your resume to: abby.huffman@engageky.org and jennifer.withrow@msj.edu.
| | | | Upcoming Triple C & Alliance Events | |
New Era of Youth Service in America
– Statewide Forum on January 26
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Triple C is excited to invite you to a special statewide virtual forum, New Era of Youth Service in America, on Monday, January 26 from 2:00–4:30 PM.
With support from a Youth Service America (YSA) grant, this forum will bring together nonprofits, K–12 educators, higher education professionals, government partners, and youth-serving organizations from across Ohio to envision the future of youth civic participation.
As the nation approaches America’s Semiquincentennial in 2026, YSA is working to double youth participation in volunteering, civic engagement, and leadership. Today, only 1 in 4 young people regularly participate in their communities—leaving 64 million youth without meaningful pathways to engage. This forum will explore how Ohio can remove barriers, elevate effective practices, and build a stronger statewide ecosystem for youth service.
Participants will:
- Examine the current state of youth service and the opportunity gaps young people face
- Envision what a “new era” of youth service could look like in Ohio
- Identify promising strategies for increasing youth participation
- Explore potential state-level policies to advance youth civic engagement
- Connect with peers during an interactive, solutions-focused conversation
This event also connects to statewide efforts around MLK Day of Service. Additional partner forums and resources will be shared soon.
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2026 OPCSN: Strengthening Democracy Together
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Triple C is proud to co-host the 2026 Ohio Peace and Conflict Studies Network (OPCSN) Conference on Friday, February 13, 9:30AM–4:30PM at John Carroll University. This year’s theme, “Strengthening Democracy through Civic Engagement and Peacebuilding,” brings together Ohio colleges, universities, and community partners for a full day of learning, collaboration, and skill-building.
The conference will feature morning networking and student poster displays, an opening panel with representatives from John Carroll University and Princeton University’s Bridging Divides Initiative, a working lunch organized by areas of interest, and an afternoon of workshops.
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Sessions will include presentations and skill-building workshops from partners across the state, with additional proposals accepted on a rolling basis.
Call for Presenters:
Faculty, staff, students, and community organizations are invited to submit proposals to share their work. All submissions are due January 16 to be included in the program. Submit here.
Registration is Now Open:
Cost: $35 for community attendees and non-Ohio campuses, $25 for Ohio campus faculty/staff and Alliance members, and $10 for students.
| | 2026 NCCE PACE Conference | | |
NC Campus Engagement (NCCE) will host its annual Pathways to Achieving Civic Engagement (PACE) Conference on Wednesday, February 11, at Elon University.
As the nation approaches the Semiquincentennial, this year’s theme—Deepening Civic Learning and Fortifying Civic Culture: What Can Campuses Do Now to Build Beyond 250?—invites higher education partners to explore strategies that strengthen civic learning and civic life across North Carolina.
Registration is now open through January 23, 2026 ($125 members / $175 non-members).
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Learn and Lead: Engaged Faculty Institute Online
Triple C is excited to share a professional development opportunity available through our partners at the SEED Coalition. The Engaged Faculty Institute (EFI) Online offers a flexible, asynchronous learning experience designed for faculty and staff who are developing or re-designing community-engaged courses.
Participants will explore five modules—Foundations and Critical Commitments, Planning and Facilitation, Partnerships and Engagement, Learning Outcomes and Reflection, and Assessment and Evaluation—while gaining practical tools to enhance course design and community collaboration.
A summer session runs May 19–June 23, 2026, with an introductory call on May 19 (register by May 11).
EFI Online is free for participants from SEED Coalition member institutions, with limited spots available for campuses within the Alliance, and a $500 fee for non-member institutions.
| | Opportunities from Triple C | |
Triple C Can Help Your Campus Raise Funds
for Student Basic Needs
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Did you know your campus can partner with Triple C to raise direct support for your Student Resource Center or basic needs programs—at no cost?
Through our partnership with SpotFund and FAST, Triple C offers a centralized fundraising platform that highlights the efforts of Ohio colleges and universities addressing student basic needs—including campus food pantries, food insecurity, and housing instability.
As part of this benefit, Triple C will create a custom fundraising page for your campus, where alumni, parents, donors, and community members can give directly to support your students.
- No cost to participate
- No platform fees
- No risk—just support for your students
This is a simple, high-impact way to bring in additional resources at a time when state and institutional funding for basic needs is shrinking.
Interested in participating or learning more? Email admin@communitycampuscoalition.org to get started.
| | | Join the Hunger Free Campus Coalition | | |
College student hunger should never be normalized. Partner with Community Campus Coalition (Triple C) to advocate for hunger-free campuses and stronger basic needs programming through the Hunger Free Campus Action Center.
Invite your state legislators to visit your campus and see your student basic needs efforts firsthand.
Stay connected for our next Ohio Hunger Free Campus Coalition meeting date and registration.
Sign up through the Hunger Free Campus Interest Form on our website and explore the Hunger Free Campus Action Center to learn more and take action!
| | Civic Engagement Resources | |
Upcoming Civic Engagement Webinars from Nonprofit Vote
Looking to strengthen civic engagement efforts on your campus or within your community? Nonprofit Vote is offering two upcoming interactive webinars designed to help nonprofit and campus leaders build confidence, tools, and messaging around voter engagement.
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Getting Started with Voter Engagement
January 22 at 2:00 PM ET
An interactive, small-group session for organizations new to voter engagement. Learn practical first steps and engage in real-time discussion and breakout activities.
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How to Talk About the Value of Voting: Connecting to Everyday Life
January 28 at 2:00 PM ET
Learn how to use the updated "Why Vote?" tool to help people connect voting to issues that matter in their everyday lives—especially those who feel disengaged from the process.
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Now Open: 2026
ServeOhio Awards
ServeOhio is now accepting nominations for the 2026 ServeOhio Awards, recognizing outstanding individuals, groups, and initiatives that are strengthening Ohio communities through service and volunteerism.
Award recipients will receive a $1,000 grant to support the organization they serve and expand their local impact. Nominations are open through February 16, 2026, and awardees will be honored during Global Volunteer Month in April 2026.
Help celebrate Ohio’s volunteer changemakers—learn more and submit a nomination today.
| | Upcoming Events of Interest | | | | |
Save the Date: National Day of Racial Healing
The 10th anniversary of the National Day of Racial Healing on January 20, 2026 invites individuals and communities nationwide to reflect, connect, and honor shared values of justice and equity.
Following the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, this milestone serves as a reminder that healing and equity are deeply linked to every child’s opportunity to thrive.
| | Visit their website to explore anniversary events, access resources, and tune in to the newly launched How We Heal: The Audio Series. | |
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University of Cincinnati to Host 2026 IMPACT National Conference
The University of Cincinnati has been selected to host the 2026 IMPACT National Conference, a premier gathering for students, faculty, and community partners committed to service-learning and civic engagement.
The conference will be held February 19–21, 2026 and will feature workshops, presentations, and networking opportunities focused on community impact and social change.
Registration is now open with early bird pricing available through November 15, and workshop proposals are currently being accepted. Learn more and get involved!
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Call for Papers - "The Spirit of Peace" Conference 2026
The Ashland Center for Nonviolence invites proposals for the 2026 John D. Stratton Conference, “The Spirit of Peace,” to be held March 21, 2026, at Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio.
This multidisciplinary conference will explore how spiritual, religious, and contemplative traditions shape peace and nonviolence—through practices of reflection, healing, forgiveness, and community. Proposals are welcome from scholars, educators, activists, and practitioners across a range of disciplines.
Abstracts (max 300 words) are due December 20, 2025.
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ITGA City & University Relations Conference
Texas A&M University and the City of College Station will host the 2026 ITGA City & University Relations Conference, May 19–22, 2026, at the Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center. Centered on the theme Laying Tracks for the Future, the conference will explore strategies to strengthen sustainable and resilient university–community partnerships.
Proposal submissions are invited across six key areas including health and wellness, local government, housing, public safety, community engagement, and economic development. The submission deadline is February 20, 2026.
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Share Your News
The Community Campus Coalition (Triple C) Wants to Highlight Your Impact!
We know great work is happening on your campus and in your community—and we want to celebrate it! Triple C is adding a new newsletter section to highlight partner civic engagement initiatives. Share your events, programs, or resources, and we’ll spread the word across our network.
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DON'T MISS A MOMENT WITH TRIPLE C!
Stay up to date on upcoming events by visiting our website. From community gatherings to special symposiums, explore our events page and mark your calendar.
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