Luke Tolley, The Arc of Spokane's Director of Community Engaged Programs, received the honor of the Impact Award from the Partners in Campus and Community Engagement (PICCE) in March.

PICCE's Impact Award recognizes a new partnership, program, or initiative bringing higher education and community partners together to make a significant impact on critical issues facing Spokane. Nominations in this category may focus on innovative service-learning, community-based research, philanthropy, or project-based work that creates a significant and demonstrable community impact while advancing knowledge creation and the greater good.

Introducing Tolley at the awards ceremony was Sarah Marr, Assistant Director of Community Engaged Learning at Gonzaga University. From Marr's introduction:

As a long-time PICCE member and community organizer, Luke was selected for this award because of his commitment to collaboration, education, and advocacy. Luke is a valued member of the PICCE leadership and has stepped into roles not often occupied by Community Partners. He brings an incredible thoughtfulness about the impacts and outcomes of supporting Community Engagement from the community organization perspective, and his input over the past year has led to ever-improving practices amongst the higher education institutions comprising PICCE. Luke is a strong advocate for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities in our community and welcomes all into the efforts of The Arc to create a more inclusive and accessible community.

Luke, your efforts to offer ways for local students and the community to be involved with and aware of The Arc of Spokane stands out as making a significant impact on our community. Please join me in recognizing Luke Tolley for choosing intentionality and embodying what it means to be a co-educator of our students.

PARTNERS IN CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

PICCE is a regional cooperative of higher education and community partners, committed to the development and promotion of service-learning and community engagement. PICCE is made up of the six major Spokane area higher educational institutions: Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, Spokane Falls Community College, Washington State University Health Sciences, Washington State University, and Whitworth University.

Learn more at www.picce.org.