Our Mission
In collaboration with SJSU faculty and students, the City of San José, and our community, we facilitate and support projects that address community challenges. Through our mission we:
- Build new generations of socially responsible, civic minded citizens, empowering them through a high impact model of service-learning.
- Spark community involvement by utilizing the expertise of SJSU faculty and students.
- Produce empowering content rich events promoting “college going” and learning.
- Support our city government in its efforts to create livable, healthy, vibrant neighborhoods which we believe everybody deserves.
Our Team
Meet Our Team
Michael Oye
Executive Director
Pamela Wells
Faculty in Residence
Imelda Rodriguez
Community Director
Alicia Allan
Community Outreach Program Coordinator
Mary Kay J. Floyd
Department Analyst
Matthew Snyder
Interim Support
What We Do
CommUniverCity
CommUniverCity’s work focuses on collaborating with the City of San José and community partners located in the underserved neighborhoods of Central San José and engaging SJSU faculty and students in their classes to work on important resident-identified priorities.
CommUniverCity believes that everyone deserves to live in vibrant, healthy communities. CommUniverCity is in partnership with San José State University, city of San José which is the capital of silicon valley, and District 3 Community Leadership Council.
Our History
CommUniverCity SJSU was founded in 2005 as a unique collaboration between San José State University, the City of San José, and the local community. What began as a small initiative to improve local neighborhoods has since grown into a thriving model of civic engagement, service-learning, and social responsibility. Through the years, CommUniverCity has launched numerous successful projects, from urban development initiatives to educational programs that have empowered residents and students alike. Learn more about the people, milestones, and lasting impact that have shaped our journey from a grassroots idea into a powerful community force.
Annual Reports
Discover the Impact of Our Work
The Annual Report section highlights CommUniverCity’s achievements, milestones, and transformative projects from the past year. Here, you can explore how we’ve partnered with communities, students, and local organizations to create lasting change. Our reports showcase impactful statistics, heartwarming success stories, and testimonials that reflect our dedication to education, civic engagement, and community empowerment. Dive into detailed accounts of our programs and financial transparency as we continue to foster sustainable, meaningful connections in San José.
Contact Us
Get in Touch with Us
651 Macredes Ave, San José, CA 95116
(+1) 408.490.0708 (McKinley Field Office)
(+1) 408.924.3560 (San José State University Office)
Frequenty Asked Questions (FAQ)
CommUniverCity is a volunteer powered nonprofit organization dedicated to generating robust
neighborhoods within San José downtown community. We work in concert with our three
partners and benefactors, the City of San José, San José State University students and faculty,
and the members of the District 3 community organization.
CommUniverCity’s Executive Director, Michael Oye, works with our Board of Directors and
members of our local partners at the City of San José, San José State University, and the board
members of District 3. We have several full-time employees, and a huge bulk of our people power
comes from student and faculty volunteers.
While one of our partners, the City of San José, is a government entity, we are not.
Yes. We are in partnership with the City of San José, SJSU faculty and students, and members of
our local community via the District 3 organization.
CUC imagines, develops, and implements various events and courses based on the needs of our
community. We offer a very successful College Day program, a weeks-long series of courses on
entrepreneurship, how-to classes on growing sustainable gardens, just to name a few. We also
participate in numerous urban planning and downtown revitalization efforts.
If you are a member of the local community, we urge you to talk with District 3 board members.
That will ensure your voice is heard and your needs/interests are taken into consideration.
If you are a faculty member at San José State University and have an idea for a workshop or
downtown urban project, , we welcome you to contact us.
SJSU faculty can come to us with program ideas they can teach or direct. Their students may
volunteer as part of a class requirement, or they may volunteer on their own. In that case we
will try to place the student in a course of event that coincides with their interests and talents.
Unless otherwise agreed to, you will not be paid. However, you may receive class credit if your
work is tied to a faculty project.
You can make a financial donation on our website, here. As an extension of San José State
University and another organization which is also a 503c nonprofit, your donation may be tax
deductible.
Your monetary donations go into expenses we incur while generating classes and workshops.
Depending on the workshop it could be anything from colored paper and glue to potting soil to
the concrete needed for one of our urban projects.
Follow this link to our Newsletter registration page. Receiving this newsletter should help you
stay abreast on what is coming up, and on the success of our most recent events. We would love
to have you here.
Check out our employment pages to see what is happening here.