Welcome to the Office of Belonging and Community Engagement
At Berry College, Good Neighbor Culture shapes how we value, treat and serve one another – on campus and beyond the Gate of Opportunity. Rooted in our motto, “Not to be ministered unto, but to minister,” we intentionally cultivate a community where dignity, humility and shared responsibility guide our relationships.
The Office of Belonging and Community Engagement leads this work. Through reflection, relationship and collaboration, we help bring Berry’s values to life – ensuring our campus culture reflects not just what we believe, but how we belong.
Our Focus
Our work centers around four strategic commitments, each grounded in the Good Neighbor Framework:
- Belonging as a Cultural Practice: We help build a campus culture where every member is seen, valued and invited to contribute – fostering a shared sense of purpose, not just a sense of place.
- Restorative and Relational Leadership: We support students, staff and faculty in learning how to navigate difference, listen with care and respond to conflict in ways that repair and restore community.
- Community Engagement that Reflects Mutuality: Through reciprocal partnerships, we connect students with meaningful opportunities to serve, learn and lead alongside others in the broader Rome/Floyd County region.
- Learning that Moves from Reflection to Action: We offer campus-wide workshops, restorative dialogues and civic pathways that equip people to live out our Good Neighbor Culture with intention and impact.
Our Recognitions and Partnerships
Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement
Berry College is recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for its excellence in community engagement. This designation affirms our long-standing commitment to partnership, reciprocity, and real-world learning that shapes both students and communities.
Beloved Community Campus
Through our ongoing partnership with The King Center, Berry College is actively working toward becoming a Beloved Community Campus. This designation connects Berry to a national network of institutions advancing belonging and nonviolence through relationship-driven strategies. Kingian Nonviolence training, outreach events, and campus conversations help extend this work across the Berry experience.
Join Us
There are countless ways to help build Berry’s Good Neighbor Culture – whether you’re attending a campus dialogue, volunteering through Berry Impact, leading a student organization or working with a local partner.
Together, we are shaping a campus community marked by dignity, reflection and care.
Explore our programs and discover how you can make a meaningful impact.