The Jacoby Center for Community and Regional Studies encourages students to engage in civic life and leadership development through varying curricular and co-curricular options including opportunities for learning which introduce students to urban life and public issues through community service.

Two cross-disciplinary minors are offered through the Center. An Interdisciplinary Minor in Helping Professions exposes students to knowledge, theory and practice related to the full range of health, social and education services for individuals and their families. The minor enables students to explore career interests in one of the contributing professions and the collaboration and connections between that profession and other helping professions. The Jacoby Center is particularly committed to nonprofit and governmental organizations and indeed, most health, social and education services are organized around governmental and/or non-profit agencies. The Helping Professions minor makes courses available through the University’s highly ranked and accredited professional schools.

The Center also offers a Minor in Public Affairs which enables students to integrate studies in public issues with disciplinary study in a variety of majors. This minor is designed to prepare students for advanced study and professional careers in fields such as government and public policy, education, social work, planning, and non-profit organization.

Students in both minor programs are encouraged to participate in the Sacramento Experience and Washington Center internship and study programs. Students make application to these unique study opportunities through the Jacoby Center to study and intern for a full semester either in Sacramento or Washington, DC. Through these and other programs Jacoby Center provides numerous options for involvement in policy level activities with government, non-profit, and cultural organizations at all levels.