The Economic Alliance recognized the two academic organizations for their collaborative efforts over the past four years to improve the quality of education for local middle schoolers. The award included $2,500.

"Our service-learning students have learned as much from their experience as the middle schoolers," said center director Maureen Rubin. "We're so honored to have been chosen by the Economic Alliance for the Business/Education Partnership Award. This award will help us continue to provide academic and enrichment programs for the charter school students." CSUN first teamed up with Community Charter Middle School (CCMS), which is located in San Fernando, in 1999 when the university provided classroom space for the middle school students while their school was being built.

"The experience had such a positive impact on the students that the university, and specifically the Center for Community-Service Learning, worked on a variety of projects and after-school programs at CCMS every academic year," Rubin said.

Since the relationship began, CSUN has contributed service-learning students from such fields as computer science, art, music, theater and biology, along with tutors and mentors from programs including Project Grad's GEAR UP, Future Scholars and MESA.

Rubin said the university and middle school have collaborated on several projects, including implementation of a $100,000 computer training grant from MCI/WorldCom, a Cesar Chavez Day project involving oral histories and photography of community seniors, and the Tomorrow's Scientist after-school program, which brings CCMS students to the university campus once a week to learn biology, chemistry and environmental health from CSUN students planning on becoming teachers.

Launched in 1998, the Center for Community-Service Learning aims to inspire, encourage and support students and faculty in their pursuit of academic excellence through involvement in meaningful community service.

California State University, Northridge has more than 31,500 full- and part-time students and offers 59 bachelor's and 41 master's degrees as well as 28 education credential programs. Founded in 1958, it is the only four-year university in the San Fernando Valley and the fourth largest in the 23-campus CSU system. The Western Association of Schools and Colleges recently said CSUN "stands as a model to other public urban institutions of higher education."