Building the Community

Johnson & Wales University improves the quality of life in each of our four campus cities through our commitments to community service, economic development and urban revitalization. Our graduates and students also make strong contributions to regional economies both as skilled members of the workforce and as entrepreneurs.

Community Service
A priority at JWU is developing students who have the skills and training to be leaders in industry and in their communities. During the 2008-2009 academic year students the JWU community performed more than 159,000 hours of community service, earning all four campuses a position on the national President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll in 2008.

Partnerships
Through a range of business and community partnerships, JWU supports public school systems and a wide variety of non profit organizations in each of our campus markets, as well as environmental organizations and local police and fire departments. In addition, students and faculty help entrepreneurs, small businesses and nonprofits develop and achieve their strategic business goals through a partnership with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Business and Economic Development
JWU has invested $263 million in construction and renovation from 2001-06, with plans to invest an additional $126.3 million through 2009. In 2006 alone, JWU spent $106.9 million in the purchase of goods and services, $89.4 million in payroll to JWU employees, and $31.7 million in construction, creating 3,200 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs. Spending in these areas at the campus level, in addition to local student and visitor spending, also supported regional job markets, creating 2980 FTE jobs in Rhode Island, 480 FTE jobs in Colorado, 490 FTE jobs in North Carolina, and 765 FTE jobs in Florida.

In addition to having a strong overall economic impact, JWU is also committed to historic renovation and urban revitalization.