For the Fourth Consecutive Year, WCU Recognized as One of the Philadelphia Region’s 50 Most Community-Minded Employers
West Chester University has been named a 2025 honoree of the Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia
for the fourth consecutive year. The honor comes from the Chamber of Commerce for
Greater Philadelphia, in partnership with globally recognized nonprofit Points of
Light, lead partner the Philadelphia Foundation, and other local partners.
Modeled after Points of Light’s national program, the Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia measures and recognizes civic-minded companies using their time, talent, and resources to drive social impact within their organizations and communities, setting the standard for civic engagement in the region.
“At West Chester University, we don’t just reside in the community — we’re part of its fabric,” said President Laurie Bernotsky. “As a public university, we embrace our role as a steward of place: a trusted partner, a dependable neighbor, and a catalyst for meaningful, lasting change. Our commitment to those who live, work, and grow alongside us is not an initiative — it’s a responsibility we proudly carry forward every day.”
“Civic engagement is at the heart of West Chester University’s mission as a public institution committed to the common good,” noted Helen Hammerschmidt, associate vice president for communication, operations, and strategy, WCU Provost’s Office. “We believe that by partnering with our communities — through service, research, workforce development, and inclusive dialogue — we not only enrich student learning but also contribute to a more just and equitable society. Being recognized in the Greater Philadelphia Civic 50 affirms our dedication to fostering civic responsibility, regional impact, and meaningful collaboration.”
This year’s honorees represent private and public companies, nonprofits, agencies, and institutions operating in the 11-county Greater Philadelphia region. They have been selected based on four dimensions of their community engagement program:
- Investment of resources;
- Integration across business functions;
- Institutionalization through policies and systems; and
- Impact measurement.
Since 2011, the national Civic 50 has provided a national standard for superior corporate citizenship and has showcased how companies drive social impact in their business and within the community.
“The Chamber is proud to recognize West Chester University as a 2025 honoree of the Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia,” said Chellie Cameron, president and chief executive officer of the Chamber. “Each of this year’s honorees … exemplifies what it means to be a positive corporate citizen and demonstrating the power of service.”
WCU engages communities on the local, state, national, and global levels. Service learning is an integral component of many courses at West Chester and the keystone of the Honors College. As a public institution, WCU’s primary community-engagement efforts focus on addressing community-identified needs throughout the Southeastern Pennsylvania region, encompassing Philadelphia as well as Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery, and Chester counties.
The Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia Self-Assessment is administered by True Impact, a company specializing in helping organizations maximize and measure their social and business value, and consists of quantitative and multiple-choice questions that inform the scoring process.
Additional information about the Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia and its honorees is available here.