Center for Social Impact

08/06/2026

If we're honest, sometimes our work can feel stressful, challenging and overwhelming (compassion fatigue and burnout is real!). But our team retreats have a special way of bringing us back to our purpose and God-given mission of being men and women for others. And we are just grateful to do this alongside a team we love and can have fun with!

The movement continues, and exciting opportunities are on the way.

Stop waiting to make an impact on your campus and community—reach out and join us this year!

07/17/2026

Our mission simply wouldn’t be possible without our dedicated, passionate students! 🌟

A HUGE thank you to our Marian work-study interns, Jezliana and Amanda! This spring, they stepped up to support all three of our core programs. From community-engaged research to humanitarian action initiatives—including creating our 20th-anniversary tribute videos—their impact has been incredible. 🙌

We are grateful for our partnership with and can’t wait to welcome our next group of changemakers!

05/29/2026

Fun times at this year’s inaugural Water Filter Build Event at ! 💧

Students from both campuses joined together as one to build water filters for communities lacking access to clean water.

Fun fact: Each water filter built can provide clean water for a family for up to 10 years! 😮

If you missed it, be sure to join us next year!

05/11/2026

🌎Shout-out to this year's graduating Humanitarian Action minors! These amazing students participated in a capstone seminar this spring semester led by Dr. Julie Mughal, Senior Associate Director for Humanitarian Action. This community-engaged learning course partnered the HA students with Afghan women learning remotely through Afghan Female Student Outreach . Separated by thousands of miles, the students were still able to build a community of learners and share experiences across cultures. As one of the HA students shared, "In other classes, we are just students. In this course, we were all humanitarians."

05/08/2026

ICYMI: On April 22, CSI hosted its 20th annual celebration of excellence in community-engaged learning, research, and action. We honored the exceptional students, faculty, and community partners that fuel our mission to create positive change in our local and global communities. Here's to the next 20 years! 🎉

📰Read more here: https://www.fairfield.edu/news/2026/may/center-for-social-impact-awardees-for-excellence.html

🏆Outstanding Community Partner: The Center for Family Justice, Inc.
🏆Jeffrey P. von Arx Award for Excellence in Community Engagement: Dr. Betsy Bowen
🏆Newman Civic Fellow: William Ehlers '27
🏆Humanitarian Action Leadership Award: Mia Van Mater '26
🏆Peace Corps Prep Certificates
🏆Community-Engaged Learning Course Development Grants
🏆Class of 2026 Student Fellows

05/07/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Julie Mughal, Senior Associate Director for Humanitarian Action, for the recent publication of "Digital Immigration Lab: Integrating Ignatian Pedagogy and Immigration and Refugee Research" co-authored with colleagues Sabnam Ghosh and Danushka Bandara from Fairfield University School of Engineering & Computing in Volume 6.1 of Best Practices in Jesuit Higher Education. The issue focused on essential theme of "Formation Programs, Initiatives, and Mechanisms in Jesuit Identity and Mission." The Digital Immigration Lab introduces students to immigration policy, counters misinformation through data-driven research, and fosters advocacy for systemic change.

📖Read the article here:https://kirchernetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Best-practices-Magazine-vol-6.1-v1.pdf

05/05/2026

Dr. Will Johnson, Dean of Students

In honor of the Center for Social Impact's 20th anniversary, we asked our friends and supporters what CSI means to them - and their answers say it all. Here's to 20 years of community, impact, and with a purpose.

05/03/2026

Prof. Scott Farley, Math Department Fairfield Bellarmine

In honor of the Center for Social Impact's 20th anniversary, we asked our friends and supporters what CSI means to them - and their answers say it all. Here's to 20 years of community, impact, and with a purpose.

04/29/2026

Fr. Greg Konz, SJ, Assistant to the Dean Fairfield University Charles F. Dolan School of Business

In honor of the Center for Social Impact's 20th anniversary, we asked our friends and supporters what CSI means to them - and their answers say it all. Here's to 20 years of community, impact, and with a purpose.

04/28/2026