“Building a Culture of Collaboration Through Civic Engagement and Service Learning Initiatives”

“Building a Culture of Collaboration Through Civic Engagement and Service Learning Initiatives” Debby Scire Executive Director Campus Compact for New Hampshire Tom Horgan President & CEO New Hampshire College & University Council June 30, 2009 – 11 AM (est) Webinar presentation for the Association for Consortium Leadership

Overview • Organizational Context and Campus Connections • Dual Consortial Approach – a New Hampshire Initiative • National Trends – Service Learning and Civic Engagement • Definitions • Addressing Higher Education Issues and Challenges • Motivating Influences • Importance of Leadership • Expected Outcomes • Funding Streams

Organizational context and Campus Connections • Two Statewide Consortiums Working in Collaboration to Promote Civic Engagement and Service Learning

Organizational context and Campus Connections NHCUC – A multi-purpose consortium. • Founded in 1966 – Public and Private Institutions - Multitude of program

Organizational context and Campus Connections CCNH – A state affiliate of national Campus Compact • Founded in 1997 – Public and Private Institutions – focused on service, service learning and civic engagement

Why and Dual Consortial Approach? • History • Founding of CCNH • Structural Synergy • Shared Interests • Organizational Priorities • NHCUC: Multi-purpose • CCNH: Focused, but flexible • Stakeholder Interests • Shared Membership • Shared Board Members • Shared Office • Shared Staffing • Complimentary Support Structure

National Trends – Service Learning and Civic Engagement • Student increases • K-12 as driving force • Campus Involvement • Student expectations • Faculty involvement • Alternative Spring breaks • Fiscal concerns

What is Service Learning? Service learning is credit-bearing, educational, experience in which students participate in an organized service activity that meets identified community needs and reflect on the service activity in such a way as to gain further understanding of course content, a broader appreciation of discipline, and an enhanced sense of civic responsibility. Bringle, Robert and Julie Hatcher, “A Service Learning Curriculum for Faculty,” Michigan Journal of Community Service Learning, Fall 1995

What is Civic Engagement? Campus civic engagement is broadly defined as “those activities that reinvigorate the public purposes and civic mission of higher education and action by individuals and institutions to create a society characterized by justice and dignity for all” Bowley, Erin. The Minnesota Campus Civic Engagement Study. Minnesota Higher Education Service Office and Minnesota Campus Compact, 2003

Addressing Higher Education Issues and Challenges • Concerns about the Public Good of Higher Education – funding, influences and expectations • Improving Access to Higher Education – The NH Approach • NH Access Initiatives (ARC Project)

Access NH Initiative Admission Committee New Hampshire Scholars Other Partners Stay Work Play 55% Initiative NHHEAF Project ARC Internships and Career Website AmeriCorps VISTA Access NH Initiative Latino Initiative

Addressing Higher Education Issues and Challenges • Retention • Creating Welcoming Communities • First Year Programs • Accreditation • Aligning regional standards with institutional missions

Motivating Influences • Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement • Corporation for National Community Service – President’s Honor Roll • Recognition Opportunities national and state

Importance of Leadership • Presidential Leadership and Commitment • Working with Chief Academic Officers • Building Connections Between Chief Academic Officers and Chief Student Affairs Officers • Faculty Leaders • Community Service Directors • Student Leadership • Community Partners

Expected Outcomes • Creating Engaged Campuses • Student Learning Outcomes • Consortial Collaboration Opportunities • Community Impact • Faculty Development and Engaged Scholars • New ways to teach and conduct research • Improved Perceptions and Relationships (town/gown)

Funding Streams • National, Regional, State and Local – public and private • Member Assessments • Fee for service • Partnerships • Other

Questions and Answers Tom Horgan President & CEO NH College & University Council horgan@nhcuc.org 603.225.4199 x 318 Debby Scire Executive Director Campus Compact for NH scire@compactnh.org 603.223.2302 x 314

“Building a Culture of Collaboration Through Civic Engagement and Service Learning Initiatives”