The IERCD was recognized with the Outstanding Community Partner Award for providing and sustaining project-based learning, faculty-student research activities, student learning resources, internships and employment opportunities.

The IERCD  has played a crucial role in redesigning the CSUSB Department of Geography and Environmental Studies courses. Furthermore, the organization’s staff have served as guest lecturers and are represented on multiple campus-based committees.

“This award celebrates the exceptional work of community partners and recognizes their importance in developing opportunities for students and faculty to engage in and learn from the community,” said  Diane Podolske, director of Service Learning and Community Engagement in CSUSB’s Office of Community Engagement. “The recipients showcase exceptional leadership in teaching all partners about their organization, culture, and systems; showcase an excellence in the supervision and mentoring of students in meaningful service-learning opportunities that address community issues; and showcase leadership that promotes and embraces CSUSB students’ service-learning and civic action within their organization.”