Celebrate 30 Years of Urban Plunge

Urban Plunge is a three-day pre-orientation program directed by Fordham University’s Center for Community Engaged Learning. The program is designed for incoming students who are proactive thinkers and share a deep commitment to social justice advocacy. During Urban Plunge, students are given an opportunity to explore Fordham’s local communities in the Bronx and Manhattan through the lens of community, diversity, and engagement. It is important for students to find meaning in engaging with the city they will soon call home. Students will learn about unequal access to opportunities in the context of the city's history, and engage with local social justice advocates whose initiatives work to foster universal goodness in today’s world. We fearlessly address systemic injustices and highlight the beauty that coexists despite it, encouraging students to experience the vibrant culture within all of NYC’s boroughs. Throughout the program, we emphasize a complete integration of reflection, expression, and action. All students are encouraged to cultivate what we call “bothered excellence,” diligently pursuing the truth and daring to have the necessary, difficult conversations wherever injustice resides.

This year, we celebrate Urban Plunge’s 30th Anniversary! For three decades, Urban Plunge has given students the tools to be active members of their communities for the entirety of their college career and beyond. This year’s theme explores a threefold pursuit to: bridge, build, and begin. We will encourage students to embrace New York as not just their campus, but also their home. Through Urban Plunge’s hands-on engagement, students will actively bridge the gap between the University and the surrounding communities. Students, in turn, will build meaningful relationships with their community and each other. We will encourage our students — our bridge-builders — to reach those who lie on the margins and ensure that no story is ignored, dismissed, or diminished. Only then can we begin a new story. 

We hope that Urban Plunge will function as the spark igniting all incoming students to begin their college journeys with an informed sense of mission grounded in love and justice. However, to make this a possibility and accessible for all, we need your help. We are looking to raise $30,000 in honor of our 30th Anniversary and all proceeds will go towards student scholarships and supporting our community partners! Your contributions will also help us train and equip our Urban Plunge student leaders with the skills and the resources they need to mentor our first year students and serve as the next generation of Fordham civic changemakers. Partner with us to help make an impact on the next class at Fordham University by helping to shape their first moments as college students and as engaged neighbors/citizens.