Pathways to Community Impact & Active Citizens

For positive social change to occur, our communities rely on all of us engaging in multiple ways, along various pathways. This positive change helps create conditions, access points, and opportunities for everyone to have enough of what they need to thrive, which in turn creates healthier, more vibrant, equitable, and sustainable communities.

The Pathways to Community Impact & Active Citizens describes the wide range of possibilities by which our students can engage in and contribute to communities. It outlines the expansive opportunities in civic and community engagement. It emphasizes inclusivity, mutual respect, and collective action to achieve shared goals and improve quality of life. What pathways are you on to create positive change?

The 5 pathways are:

  • Community & Civic Engaged Learning
  • Community Organizing & Activism
  • Direct Service
  • Philanthropy
  • Democratic Engagement

*Adapted from Pathways of Public Service, in partnership with the Haas Center for Public Service, Stanford University. 

More About the Pathways

Enhancing the skills, knowledge, and networks of individuals and groups within the community to effectively tackle challenges and social issues.

  • Co-Curricular – programs, activities, and experiences that involve learning from community members, and organizations to expand our understanding on social issues.
    • Attend a program where community voices are the emphasis
    • Attend an event that expands your worldview and exposes you to a new culture through direct community engagement
  • Curricular– connecting academic coursework and research with community-identified concerns to drive action on social issues
    • Participate in direct service as part of a course
    • Participate in a community-engaged internship or research experience
    • College course that allows you to connect your field with community issues and see real-world applications
  • Deliberative & Reflective Dialogue – engaging and evaluating different ideas and approaches around issues in a public setting. Learning about the experiences and stories of others.
    • Attend a program where dialogue among differences is the emphasis

Involving, educating & mobilizing individuals or groups to influence or persuade others toward attitude, policy, or culture change.

  • Community Organizing – bringing people together to act collectively in their shared interest or toward a common goal
    • Join a community organizing committee at a nonprofit organization
    • Bring students together to express concerns about an issue facing students – voice to SGA or campus leadership
  • Peaceful Protests & Demonstrations – Expressing a public, visible disagreement with a situation or policy, often in large group setting
    • Participate in marches in support of a cause or to bring awareness to injustice
    • Create public visual or performance art to draw attention to an issue
    • Attend a single-day demonstration or rally
  • Student Involvement & Leadership Development – the capacity to mobilize yourself and others to work collaboratively to facilitate positive social change with community
    • Lead a service project that addresses a community need
    • Serve in a leadership role to promote campus community
    • Serve in a leadership position with a service-focused student group

Working to address the immediate needs of indivudauls or a community, involving contact withthe people or places being served

  • Volunteer – Meet the needs of a non-profit with your time and/or talents.
    • Help weekly as a tutor at a local library
    • Provide translation assistance for non-English speaking community members
    • Create social media content or marketing materials for a community partner
    • Participate in a Day of Service or another one-time service event
    • Join the board of a non-profit or community agency
  • Find opportunities to serve here or visit the Chapel Lobby

Organizing a program or event that encourages individuals or institutions to donate funds or items that directly advance the work of a non-profit or community organization

  • Fundraising – raising money to support a non-profit or community organization
    • Host a bake sale to raise money used to purchase painting supplies to be used for a mural at the library
    • Lead a social activity where admission proceeds are used to help an organization fund their community garden
  • Donation Drives – collecting supplies / items needed to help further the work of community partner
    • Ask students and community members to donate diapers for local food bank

The active participation of citizens in the democratic process of governance and decisionmaking. It encompasses a range of activities and behaviors through which individuals contribute to shaping public policies, electing representatives, and holding them accountable.

  • Policy & Governance – participating in political processes, policymaking, and public governance
    • Write to and/or call elected officials to present opinion on public issues
    • Attend a city council, government commission meeting, school board meeting
    • Participate in student government
  • Voting and Voter Mobilization – mobilizing others to participate in and influence public policy
    • Vote (including in local, off-year elections)
    • Organize & volunteer at a voter registration drive
    • Share resources about state voting laws
    • Volunteer as a poll worker on Election Day