Civic Engagement:
Encouraging Civic Engagement
in Our Students
David Morse
Reid Milburn
Dennis Gervin
English Faculty, Long Beach City College
President, Student Senate for CCC
VP Student Learning, Columbia College
Civic Engagement
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Civic Engagement… what does it mean?
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How this Breakout Session Evolved
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Senate Resolutions
Civic Engagement Defined?
“It is the State which educates its citizens in civic virtue, gives
them a consciousness of their mission and welds them into
unity.”
Benito Mussolini
Civic Engagement: Defined?

Coalition for Civic Engagement and Leadership: University of Maryland
Civic engagement is acting upon a heightened sense of responsibility to
one’s communities. This includes a wide range of activities, including
developing civic sensitivity, participation in building civil society, and
benefiting the common good. Civic engagement encompasses the notions
of global citizenship and interdependence. Through civic engagement,
individuals—as citizens of their communities, their nations, and the world—
are empowered as agents of positive social change for a more democratic
world. Civic engagement involves one or more of the following:
* Learning from others, self, and environment to develop informed
perspectives on social issues;
* Recognizing and appreciating human diversity and commonality;
* Behaving, and working through controversy, with civility;
* Taking an active role in the political process;
* Participating actively in public life, public problem solving, and
community service;
* Assuming leadership and membership roles in organizations;
* Developing empathy, ethics, values, and sense of social responsibility;
* Promoting social justice locally and globally.
Civic Engagement Defined?
From New York Times: Excerpts from Civic Responsibility and Higher Education,
edited by Thomas Ehrlich, published by Oryx Press, 2000.
Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life of our
communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and
motivation to make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life in a
community, through both political and non-political processes.

http://www.nytimes.com/ref/college/collegespecial2/coll_aascu_defi.html
Civic Engagement
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9.02 F 00 Academic Credit for Student Governance Participation
Barbara Sawyer, Diablo Valley College, Curriculum Committee
Whereas, student senate leaders invest many hours representing students in governance
structures at all California community colleges; and
Whereas, such service is an important educational experience and valuable preparation for
citizenship in the wider community; and
Whereas, The California Student Association of Community Colleges (CalSACC) supports the
establishment of academic credit courses to enhance the student leadership experience; and
Whereas, such courses could provide a valuable vehicle to encourage students to participate in
a full range of co-curricular activities central to fulfilling a college experience;
Resolved, that the Academic Senate work with CalSACC to explore ways to encourage colleges
to establish faculty-taught courses that instruct students in principles of effective governance,
and
Resolved, that the Academic Senate report on the findings with recommendations relevant to
the establishment of academic courses to be communicated to all local senates.
Civic Engagement
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9.06 Global Education
Mark Snowhite, Crafton Hills College, Spring 2001
Whereas, The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges has endorsed
the values of global education adopted by the Global Education Network Task
Force (Spring 1999);
Whereas, The Academic Senate for California Community Colleges has
participated in the Global Education Work Group; and
Whereas, The statement of principles and purposes is consistent with the values
and interests of the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges;
Resolved, That the Academic Senate recognize the following purposes and
principles of Global Education. · Prepares students to be globally literate and to
fully participate in a global environment of great cultural, economic and linguistic
diversity. · Increases the number of "globally competent" students completing
undergraduate studies or entering the workforce. · Promotes the inclusion of an
international and intercultural perspective across the curriculum
(academic/vocational and technical education), methods of instructional delivery,
and student support structures, and in professional development activities.
· Effectively integrates immigrants into the economy and civic life. · Provides a
framework for developing cooperative agreements and faculty and student
exchanges with foreign educational institutions.
Civic Engagement
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9.04 Incorporating Civic Engagement in Curriculum
Jon Drinnon, Merritt College, Fall 2009
Whereas, Student activism in civic activities can play a major role
in the development of students into well-rounded citizens;
Resolved, The Academic Senate for California Community
Colleges encourage local senates to work with their faculty and
local student leaders to identify means of incorporating civic
engagement in curriculum and assignments.
Civic Engagement
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Issues that inhibit student participation
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Time and family demands
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Courseload demands
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Financial Resources
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Transportation
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Lack of awareness of opportunities
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Lack of understanding of the importance of the
students’ voice
Civic Engagement
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Statewide Involvement
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Encourage participation in organizations such as the
Student Senate for California Community Colleges
(SSCCC) and the state-wide Academic Senate
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The guiding vision of the Student Senate for
California Community Colleges is to communicate a
unified student perspective to relevant constituent
groups and elected officials in all matters directly
affecting California Community College students.
Civic Engagement
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Statewide Involvement
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Create opportunities for partnerships of students and
faculty
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Encourage attendance of events such as the student
General Assemblies and the faculty Plenary Sessions
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Highlight the benefits of unified advocacy efforts
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Participate in activities on and off campus featuring
members of the legislature
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Share information: provide links and resources to
state-wide activities
Civic Engagement
Local Examples: Columbia College
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From Columbia College Vision Statement:
Columbia College will be a center for transformational learning
promoted through critical and creative thinking that is open to
change and personal growth; civic, environmental, and global
awareness and engagement; and individual and collective
responsibility. We will promote a culture of support for student
learning across the institution that adopts a holistic approach.

From Columbia College Core Values:
Civic Awareness: We value civic and global awareness. We
promote the understanding and betterment of our planet by
engaging our community.
Civic Engagement
Local Examples: Modesto Junior College
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The purpose of the MJC Civic Engagement Project is
to promote responsible social stewardship as a
primary value in higher education. The program is a
joint venture between the Yosemite Community
College District, Associated Students (ASMJC) and the
League of Women Voters of Modesto. The project has
four areas of interest:
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Film and Lecture
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Environmental (Project Green)
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Multicultural Education
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Voter Education
Civic Engagement
Local Examples: Long Beach City College
Long Beach Community Studies Project
http://longbeachstudies.lbcc.edu
“To prepare students for the world they will enter as
adults, the faculty felt it was essential that students
develop an awareness of the communities of which they
are a part. Teaching and applying research skills on
topics of pressing concern proves to be a promising
vehicle for making students into engaged, informed
local, national, and global citizens.”
Civic Engagement
Local Examples: Long Beach City College
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“Long Beach City College has moved steadily toward
a community studies project focused on the city and
community of Long Beach. Beginning in 2002, faculty
from the humanities and social sciences has sought
to engage students in activist politics. Next, a faculty
member from the anthropology department engaged
students in quality of life assessments focused on
Long Beach, which has been on going. Finally,
members of the Department of History linked with a
Federal Agency to undertake research into the
history of the city. The sum total of these efforts
produced a Long Beach Community Studies Project
in fall 2006.”
Civic Engagement
Local Examples: Long Beach City College
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The project’s contributors have included professors
of history, geography, sociology, anthropology, and
economics who have connected the content of their
courses to community research and activities outside
the classroom. Various external agencies in Long
Beach have worked cooperatively with the project,
including the Long Beach ACLU, LB Public Health
Department, Public Housing Department, LB Unified
School District, Port of Long Beach, and LB Police
Department Commission.
Civic Engagement
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Additional Methods of Encouraging Local
Involvement
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Disseminating information in class about
opportunities
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Classroom assignments, such as research projects, to
foster awareness
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Credit toward grade or extra credit for volunteer or
service activities
Civic Engagement: Discussion
"Never doubt that a small group of dedicated people can change the
world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." ~ Margaret Mead
Civic Engagement: Contact Information
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Dennis Gervin, VP Student Learning, Columbia College
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GervinD@Yosemite.edu
President Reid E. Milburn
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Reid.Milburn@gmail.com
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www.StudentSenateCCC.org
David Morse, ASCCC South Representative
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dmorse@lbcc.edu