Pew Report Focuses on Civic Engagement in Higher Education – "New Directions in Civic Engagement: University Avenue Meets Main Street"

Civic engagement in higher education is the focus of a new report from the Pew Partnership for Civic Change. Through a series of ten essays, higher education and community development leaders share their insights about using university resources to address community challenges, while also teaching important civic skills to university students.

Auburn University’s work in Alabama communities is among the efforts highlighted, as is the work of the Rural Community College Initiative in several Southern states. Key lessons and recommendations include: 1) articulate an institution-wide vision for community engagement, with support from top leadership; 2) define “engagement” more broadly than simply student volunteerism; 3) build successful university-community partnerships through communication, flexibility, and a common vision; and 4) nurture civic skills, such as tolerance, conflict resolution, and leadership.

Access the report, "New Directions in Civic Engagement: University Avenue Meets Main Street", at http://www.pew-partnership.org/whatsnew.html.

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From: SOUTHERN GROWTH POLICIES BOARD is a non-partisan public policy think tank based in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Formed by the region’s governors in 1971, Southern Growth Policies Board develops and advances visionary economic development policies by providing a forum for collaboration among a diverse cross-section of the region’s governors, legislators, business and academic leaders and the economic- and community-development sectors. Supported by the governments of 13 Southern states and Puerto Rico, Southern Growth provides its members, and the region, with authoritative research, discussion forums and pilot projects in the areas of technology and innovation, globalization, workforce development, community development, civic engagement and leadership. To learn more about Southern Growth Policies Board, visit http://www.southern.org.