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Hamilton’s Community Outreach and Opportunity Project (COOP) connects Hamilton students and employees with nonprofit agencies in Clinton, Utica, Rome, and beyond. Through 14+ direct service programs, students create positive change while developing close and enduring relationships with local communities.

Amy James, director of community outreach for COOP, was honored with the "Campus Angel" award from On Point for College at its annual Utica celebration on Nov. 14. COOP offers community service opportunities, connecting Hamilton students and employees with Oneida County nonprofit agencies - creating positive change for our community partners as well as educational experiences for our students.

At Hamilton, active citizenship is demonstrated in many ways. We talked to several students and young alumni who explain how they discovered an interest at Hamilton that led them to take action to create social change, and have a positive impact on society.

Katie Rockford ’24 first heard about the Harvest, a popular student-powered food-salvage program on campus aimed at tackling local food insecurity issues, from upperclass students during the pandemic. Passionate about environmental and social justice issues herself, Rockford wanted to bring the program back following its necessary COVID-19 hiatus, but knew she’d need a lot of help to make it happen.

The Hamilton College Town-Gown Fund recently distributed grants totaling $79,450 to seven non-profit and public safety organizations serving the Town of Kirkland and the Village of Clinton.

When the pandemic began, programs that fostered college and community connections also took a hit. Hamilton’s new SciKids YouTube channel offers a remote way to get even more students wondering if science may be in their future.

Hamilton students recently spent a day at the Linwood Place Community Garden in Utica cleaning out the planting beds and preparing the grounds for winter.

Among the biggest fans for this weekend’s men’s hockey NESCAC playoffs will be volunteers from Arc, an organization for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The volunteers, who come to campus on Thursdays to help out with the Athletic Department, have formed a special bond with members of Hamilton’s men’s hockey team.

Student volunteers collect and package food for delivery to charitable organizations in Utica, including the Rescue Mission of Utica and the Johnson Park Center.

For the seventh year, Hamilton students will teach Spanish to students at Clinton Elementary School as part of a program coordinated by the Hispanic Studies Department.