The Community Programs branch of the Department of Public Relations at the University of San Diego, known in 2016 as the Department of Community and Government Relations, serves as the key liaison between the University of San Diego and the San Diego community. These records document that interaction during the 1980s and 1990s. Records consist of nearby Community Plans; correspondence and news releases about community events; and information about grants to serve the surrounding community. The bulk of these materials were created by Director of Community Programs, Maria Martinez-Cosio, and Director of Volunteer Programs, Judy Rauner.

The Department of Public Relations, Community Programs, as of 2016, is the Office of Community and Government Relations which is part of University Communications. Since the departments' founding in the 1980s, the goal has been to foster relationships with the local community and raise awareness about USD. Committees to plan for outreach and events served to accomplish this goal. In 1986, the committees included Community Service, the Neighborhood Committee, and the Social Issues Committee. These expanded to include the Volunteer Resources Advisory Committee and the Associated Students Community Service Committee. Community Programs also partnered closely with area communities such as Linda Vista and Clairemont Mesa. Involvement with Linda Vista includes the Multicultural Fair and Parade which USD has been a partner and integral player since it's founding in 1985.

These records are open for research.