The Western Center for Social Impact and Innovation (WCSII) is located on the ground floor of Peabody Hall in  Room 022. The center is a space for intellectual inquiry, sharing ideas, and free-spirited discussion. It is open to all.

The Western Center provides a number of student services and hosts formal programs for both the Western Program for Individualized Studies and WCSII.

Student Services

The Western Center focuses on student academic and personal success as well as fostering an inclusive, close-knit community. Operated by student employees and Western faculty/staff, it strives to create a social and productive space for students to relax, study, and make friends. The resources it provides to students include:

• comfortable, communal lounge area
• study tables
• refreshments – coffee, popcorn, tea
• computer workstations
• quiet study room
• arts and crafts supplies for creative projects

Program/Engagement Opportunities

The Western Center takes pride in fostering learning through an array of co-curricular programs, led by students, national experts and practitioners, faculty, and community leaders. Examples of recent programs include:

Events: In-Person and Virtual

Space for Student Organizations

Zero Waste Oxford is a student group who uses WCSII for planning meetings and events, such as zero-waste pumpkin carving. Other relevant organizations are also welcome to ask about space use.

Collaboration

Writer's Harvest, an annual benefit for the Oxford Community Choice Pantry, brings writers together with local farmers and Western service learning students to explore experiences of food insecurity. It is co-hosted by the Western Center and the Creative Writing program.

Social Events

• Tea and Conversation for students, faculty, and staff
• Astronomy Night
• Disc Golf Meet-ups
• Movie Night
• Book Club

Student Opportunities

Student Employee

This position allows students in the Individualized Studies major or minor to take a leadership role in the Western Program. The position is ideal for students interested in event planning, fostering a vibrant community, and providing assistance to fellow students.

Event Funding

Students can work with the Western Center Coordinator to explore creative approaches to engage fellow students.