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Mission:

To provide civic engagement opportunities to the campus community that inform academic coursework, support Southwestern University's core purpose and values, and build students' capacities as active learners and citizens.

Goals:

• Raise awareness about local civic engagement opportunities among the campus population.
• Work with faculty, staff, and students to increase and enhance community-based learning via academic coursework.
• Work with individual students and organizations to deepen their civic engagement work with respect to reciprocity and reflection.
• Cultivate new relationships with community partners.
• Sustain and grow existing relationships with community partners.

History:

Since its inception in September 2004, Southwestern University's Office of Civic Engagement has played an integral role in helping this institution deepen its commitment to community-based learning and civic engagement. The office facilitates community-based learning projects within academic courses and connects students to civic engagement opportunities on a continual basis.

Civic Engagement Statistics in 2005-2006:

• Southwestern University students volunteered 22,542.5 hours.
• 740 students participated in some type of civic engagement (60% of the total student population).
• 457 of these students logged in more than 20 hours of community service.
• Students and faculty collaborated and assisted the work of 73 community partners.