Civic & Community Engagement
Civic and community engagement is defined as "working to make a positive impact in your community by identifying and addressing issues of public concern."
By developing meaningful relationships with community partnerships, Student Engagement & Inclusion helps students become active change agents in their community through volunteering, servant leadership, and social activism.
Students who practice civic and community engagement will...
- Participate in co-curricular activities that align with their academic and career interests
- Connect and learn from diverse community partnerships across Columbus, Delaware, and other parts of Central Ohio
- Gain valuable skills and experiences
- Meet the Columbus State institutional goals of critical thinking, ethical reasoning, communication, cultural and social awareness, and professional and life skill development
- Build community with their peers across campus and have a sense of belonging
- And make a positive impact in their community
Be a changemaker in your community, serve today!
How To Be Civically Engaged At Columbus State:
1. Join the Serve Our Community Cougar Connect page. Be the first to hear about service opportunities in the community and civic engagement events on campus - join today!
2. Volunteer at Columbus State's annual Day of Service. Check out the Day of Service Cougar Connect page for updates on the next event and how you can sign up!
3. Register to vote and stay informed on upcoming elections. Use cscc.turbovote.org to register, check your registration, and get reminders of upcoming elections. Columbus State offers many resources to help you vote including, the VOTE: Columbus State and Voting Library page, the Columbus State Votes Cougar Connect page, and the CSCCVotes Instagram page.
4. Follow CStateServes on Instagram to see local service opportunities and recaps from different events.
5. Capture and reflect on your experiences in the Student Changemaker Program. This is a co-curricular pathway on Cougar Connect. Students who participate in two activities and conduct a reflection will be recognized for their engagement. Students can receive a LinkedIn endorsement, professional mentorship, certificate of completion, and a personalized letter of recommendation. To join contact slombardo3@cscc.edu.
6. Attend a Civic Organizing Workshop. Hear from local leaders and activitis in the community on how to use your voice and advocate for change.
7. Take a Service-Learning Course. "S" designated courses provide hands on learning in the community. When reviewing the course listing, use the drop down menu to search for "Service-Learning" to find classes. Speak with your advisor to make sure this fits in with your academic plan.
8. Serve alongside your peers. The Student Engagment & Inclusion office can help you find service and civic engagement opportunities for your student club, scholarship program, or mentorship group. Contact slombardo3@cscc.edu for support,
9. Ask about Community Work Study at the Student Employment Office. A subset of the Federal Work Study (FWS) is reserved for students to work at a local nonprofit or government agency.
10. Stay up-to-date and aware of social issues in your community and be an advocate! Reach out to slombardo3@cscc.edu for ways you can get involved and use your voice.