AUTHORS:
DR. MATHEW JOHNSON , Director of ACE and Associate Professor of Sociology/Environmental Studies
DR. DON LEVY , Director of Siena College Research Institute
CHRISTY ALLEN , Siena College AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellow

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This report was produced by the Siena Research Institute, in partnership with the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC). In particular we would like to acknowledge Kristen Cambell of NCoC, and Emily Kirby of The Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) at the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Citizenship and Public Service at Tufts University.

The Siena College Research Institute (SRI) is a full–service public opinion research institute located on the Siena College campus in Loudonville, New York. Established in 1980, SRI is committed to providing quality information to the public regarding political, economic, social, business, and voter issues. SRI conducts expert and public opinion polls on regional, state, and national levels utilizing an on–site call center, web and mail surveys, and statistical analysis programs.

SRI has a particular commitment to research dedicated to New York State and the many facets of its civic health. The monthly Siena New York poll investigates the opinions of registered voters on political issues. SRI also produces the New York State Consumer Confidence Index and consumer confidence reports for various regional areas in the state.

SRI produces public service research with the intent of informing the public, community leaders, and policymakers on the issues and needs of New York communities. Past research includes topics such as the life satisfaction and social capital of New York residents and the public perception of community social needs in the Capital District Region. SRI has also surveyed issues of health, leisure, homeownership, and the concrete effects of the recent economic downturn in the lives of New Yorkers. With expertise and experience, SRI examines the pulse of life in New York.

The Office of Academic Community Engagement (ACE) at Siena College is dedicated to creating sustainable partnerships between the college and the greater community that seek to contribute to the Civic Health of Capital District. Through ACE programs (AmeriCorps*VISTA Fellows, Bonner Service Leaders, Academic Service Learning and Community Based Research) we strive to engage students, faculty, and staff to impact the root causes of social problems. ACE mobilizes more than $2 million of resources for community development and civic health initiatives in the Capital District annually.

Siena College is a learning community advancing the ideals of a liberal arts education, rooted in its identity as a Franciscan and Catholic institution.