Founded over 100 years ago, Union College has always had a strong interest in service to the community. Our roots are strong in community service, as the college was initially established as a service to Southeastern Kentucky in providing well-trained teachers to the area. Since the college’s inception, students have been involved in service to Knox County and the surrounding Appalachian region. The Appalachia Service Project, now a well-known non-profit organization, was founded here in 1969. Then, ALCOR, Appalachian Leadership and Community Outreach banded students together to serve. In 1995, SHARE (Students Helping and Reaching Everyone) was formed and became the backbone for the Community Outreach Center. That center was renamed the Common Partners Office in 1999 to recognize our work as partners with our community to serve with, not for, each other.

The Common Partners Office plans a variety of events throughout the year in which students, faculty, and staff members can become involved and work together within the Knox County community.

For more information about Common Partners' programs at Union College, visit the Common Partners' website.