Extending Civic Engagement Across the

College Curriculum

Presenter:

Robert KulisheckProfessor – Department of Political Science

Northern Michigan University

Objectives• Describe how extending civic engagement activities can

strengthen a university’s overall curriculum

• Describe how civic engagement can be combined with academic service learning and other forms of experiential education

• Describe how civic engagement can be institutionalized and made a key component of a university’s overall mission

• Answer questions and provide an opportunity for you to share your thoughts and experiences

Northern Michigan University

Northern Michigan University

Mission Statement…

“…challenges its students, faculty, staff, and alumni to strive for

excellence, both inside and outside the classroom, and to become

outstanding citizens and leaders.”

Some National Trends in Higher Education

• At the beginning of the 20th Century, John Dewey advocated learning through practical experience

• Recent trends:Experiential Education

Practice Oriented EducationAcademic Service Learning

Civic Engagement

Some Things to Consider When Attempting to Create a

Campus-Wide Civic Engagement/Academic

Service Learning Program• Build on what you have• Recognize contradictory assumptions• Combine efforts with advocates of other forms of

experiential education• Involve a wide range of potential stakeholders• Recognize progress will be slow and incremental

• Training of faculty new to ASL • Sponsorship of faculty forums• Guest lectures• Faculty development grants• ASL resource materials • Assistance with the identification and

development of community partners• Service-oriented student scholarships

NMU’s Civic Education/ Academic Service Learning

Program Provides:

• A vehicle for expanding and institutionalizing Civic Engagement & Academic Service Learning

• Civic Engagement/Academic Service Learning are key components of the Superior Edge

Superior Edge

Civic Engagement and Academic Service Learning activities apply to all four edges of the Superior Edge:•Citizenship •Diversity •Leadership•Real World

Students electronically log hours toward the completion of the four “edges.”