A PROMISING CONNECTIONIncreasing College

Access and Success

through Civic Engagement

• About Iowa Campus Compact• What is Civic Engagement?• Why Civic Engagement?• Research – Connection with College Completion• Community College Models• What you can do and how we can help

Session Overview

www.iacampuscompact.org

About Us

Member Benefits• Resources• Successful models• Funding• Visibility• Faculty opportunities• Recognition• Professional development• Technical assistance• Advocacy and policy• National movement

About Us

.

What is civic engagement?• Service-learning• Community engagement• Community-based research• Civic education• Community experiences• Community-based learning• Democratic practice• Philanthropy education• Other co-curricular offerings for students

.

What is civic engagement?

Individual vs. Organizational

• Individual - create civically minded persons, use knowledge and skills for community betterment

• Organizational - create infrastructure that link campuses and communities through reciprocal partnerships

 

Service and learning goals of equal weight and each enhances the other for all participants (Sigmon, 1994)

What is service-learning?

The system of community colleges grew out of a commitment to the democratic principles of access and opportunity; its leaders were philosophically dedicated to the belief that broad engagement of the diverse community will create a strong educational, social, political, and economic fabric. (Cohen & Brawer, 2003)

Why Civic Engagement?

A Promising Connection

Report

Research

• Eyler, Giles, Stenson, and Gray (2001) found a range of benefits for students (page 11):• academic learning and ability to apply what they have learned in

the “real world”• improves student satisfaction with college, more likely to

graduate• sense of personal efficacy, personal identity, interpersonal

development, ability to work well with others• spiritual and moral development• leadership and communication skills• reducing stereotypes and facilitating cultural and racial

understanding• social responsibility and citizenship skills.

Research

• 2010 Job Outlook Survey from the National Association of Colleges and Employers candidate’s involvement in volunteer work key factor in making hiring decisions

Research

• High-quality curricular and co-curricular civic engagement is positively correlated with student success in K-12 schools, community colleges, and public and private four-year colleges and universities (Grantmakers for Education, 2010; Meyer, 2003).

• Peer group interaction key for college student success, service is one way to develop peer relationships (Astin, 1996)

• Service-learning is positively associated with student retention and the likelihood of completing a degree (Astin and Sax, 1998)

(page 6)

Research

• Gallini and Moely (2003) (page 6)• effects of service-learning on student retention, academic

challenge, academic engagement, interpersonal engagement, and community engagement

• surveyed students about engagement, academic challenge, and persistence

• students in service-learning courses scored significantly higher on all measures

Research

• Campus Compact offices of Northern New England study• 770 students at 17 institutions• student survey on how service-learning course affected

them on five measures: retention, academic challenge, academic engagement, interpersonal engagement, and community engagement

Research

• AACC, Prentice and Robinson (2010) study (page 9)• More than 2,000 students • Statistically significant differences between service-

learners and non–service-learners on five out of six learning outcomes

• educational success and academic development, civic responsibility, critical thinking, communication, and career and teamwork.

Research

• Dahiwakud Project (developed by the Community College National Center for Community Engagement, CCNCCE) • Collaboration with four-year and two-year institution• Joint energy efficiency project for low-income families• Improved attitude and interest in learning and community service• Faculty reported expanded knowledge and skill set

(page 10)

Community College Models

• Accent on Student Success: Engaged Together for Service (ASSETS) • Intergenerational service projects• 1,500 students surveyed• 9 in 10 improved attitudes toward learning and community service• 90% of minority students surveyed more likely to complete degree

Community College Models

• Kapiolani Community College (handout)• Faculty-driven and integrated• Service-learning outcomes aligned with institution learning outcomes• 2009 and 2010 fall-spring persistence rates 25% higher for service-

learning students• Service-learning students also performed better in developmental

courses • Offer “Pathways” by issue/field area, continuum of opportunities

through courses, work study, internships, student leader positions

Community College Models

• Iowa Western Community College• Majority of service is academic-based service learning, however there are also multiple service

opportunities throughout the year to encourage students to continue to be civically engaged• Sampling of graduates indicated that service-learning enhanced understanding of course

content, attributed to career opportunities as well as networking and resume building, and many continue to serve after they graduate.

• IWCC notes Service-Learning on student transcripts• Bring together community members, students, faculty and staff to volunteer for a common goal• IWCC hosts annual recognition for service which includes community partners, students,

faculty and staff.• Hosted professional development with leaders in the field such as Patty Clayton, Dr. Robert

Franco etc. Also offer opportunities for faculty to attend/present at service-focused national conferences

• Service-focused student clubs to promote leadership – Colleges Against Cancer chapter through American Cancer Society

• Host annual community-wide and campus-wide service events - Community Relay For Life and Pink Out

Community College Models

• Iowa Western Community College• Received 5 subgrants through Learn and Serve America totaling more than $60,000

• Most recent: 2011 STEM grant project at Lakin Campus• Multi-program project (culinary, construction, ag/hort, sustainability and AmeriCorps)• Multi-agency project (CB Boys & Girls Club, Micah House shelter, Heartland Family Services

and Extreme 180 Youth Summer Fitness Camp)

• Utilize AmeriCorps program for student leadership opportunities• Americorps State (Iowa Campus Compact) - 300 hours (6 students)• AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates – 10 weeks, full-time (6 students)• Partner with neighboring higher education institutions in Omaha for large-scale

community projects• Metro Area Coalition for Service-Learning (UNO, Creighton, UNMC, CSM, Methodist,

Clarkson, Grace, IWCC and MCC) – implement projects and professional development around annual themes such as Veterans, Refugees, etc.

• Project Homeless Connect Omaha – one day event to provide medical and social services to community residents struggling with homelessness - Serves 600+ in metro area

Community College Models

• Iowa Western Community College• Benefits from Campus Compact membership

• Professional development opportunities• AmeriCorps programs• Networking and collaboration with other Iowa higher education institutions• Foster strong partnership with Iowa Commission in Volunteer Service• Resource sharing – member networks/best practices• Opportunities for student leadership – IUGO conference and other summits• Grant opportunities – federal and private• Award opportunities for faculty and students

• IWCC student recently named a Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellow (one of only four in the state of Iowa)

Community College Models

1. Connect with institutional mission and vision statements

2. Integrate civic engagement at all academic and co-curricular levels

3. Integrate into the faculty promotion and reward structure

4. Provide professional development opportunities for faculty

5. Provide infrastructure support for community-campus relationships

What Institutions Can Do

1. Get key leaders talking

2. Encourage faculty

3. Connect local groups

4. Utilize development office

5. Track and evaluate

6. Reflect institutional commitment

7. Share evaluation and data

What Leaders Can Do

1. Professional development (training, workshops, webinars, etc.)

2. Funding opportunities

3. Student engagement programs

4. Faculty programming

5. Networking and collaboration

6. Information on research and models

7. Dissemination and recognition

How IACC Can Help

Questions? Discussion?

Information and resources at:www.iacampuscompact.org