About the Riley Center

The Joseph P. Riley Jr. Center for Livable Communities is an interdisciplinary initiative of the College of Charleston that advances community vitality through research, education, leadership development, and professional practice. Since 2001, the Center has connected the resources of the College with the needs of communities, organizations, and leaders throughout South Carolina. 

Our Story

Named in honor of Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr., the Center was established to continue the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and public service that defined Mayor Riley's leadership. Today, the Center serves as both an academic resource and a trusted community partner, helping organizations address challenges, strengthen capacity, and create lasting impact. 

Our Mission

The Joseph P. Riley Jr. Center for Livable Communities is an interdisciplinary initiative of the College of Charleston whose mission is to leverage the intellectual resources of the College to support the economic, social, and cultural vibrancy of the Lowcountry and other communities across South Carolina. 

Our mission reflects a commitment to leveraging academic expertise and community partnerships to support economic, social, and cultural vibrancy in communities across South Carolina. 

Our Vision

With access to the resources of the College of Charleston's School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Riley Center seeks to be a leader in community based research, leadership development, and best practices for government and nonprofit organizations. 

The Riley Center defines "livable communities" as those which are economically, socially, and culturally vibrant, with access for all residents to education, jobs, healthcare, housing, parks and recreation, as well as diverse opportunities in arts and culture. 

Our Values

The work of the Riley Center for Livable Communities is grounded in the values exemplified by our namesake, Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. His leadership was shaped by a unique combination of vision, courage, inclusiveness, perseverance, and the determination to never be outworked. These values inform our planning, goal setting, project development, and daily work as we strive to strengthen communities across South Carolina.