My colleague, Samantha Siegel, and I have been working hard to come up with a definition of civic engagement for Wagner College that is clear and practical. We know we aren't there quite yet, but we think we are getting close. Here is our latest attempt. Special thanks to Karen DeMoss for helping us sharpen our message.
Civic engagement begins with people who decide to put aside their individual interests to work and learn together democratically and grow into informed and active citizens more committed and better able to support the well being of communities.
The range of civic engagement options includes but is not limited to: direct service, internships with neighborhood organizations, place-based research and dissemination, public policy advocacy, regular participation in meetings and community forums, and ongoing discussion and deliberation about pressing social issues.
As an institution of higher education, Wagner College supports the development of a civically engaged academic environment by deepening relationships among students, faculty, staff, and community members through classroom, co-curricular, and place-based learning. In all of these contexts, opportunities to reflect critically on experience are encouraged and to relate what is learned to local and global contexts.
At its best, college-supported civic engagement increases motivation to go on learning, raises civic consciousness and commitment, fosters empowerment through hands-on participation that addresses community-identified issues, and supports the continuing improvement of our overall quality of life.
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