Making student civic engagement truly valuable
Preview:
Colleges and universities across the country are turning their attention to expanding civic engagement opportunities for students. In part, this growing attention is a result of a renewed focus on the traditional mission of higher education to develop good citizens -- a mission with heightened importance in our current sociopolitical context. It is also a response to a resurgence of student interest in social activism and an expressed commitment among students to make a difference in the world. While these aims are commendable, I question whether those of us who work in higher education have developed the best approaches to achieve them.
Originally published: October 24, 2016
Author: Julie E. Wollman
Position: President
Institution: Widener University
Published by: Inside Higher Ed