Improving, Expanding, and Institutionalizing Civic Learning and Community Engagement Dr. Curt Brungardt Dr. Jill Arensdorf Mr. Brett Bruner Dr. Christie Brungardt Ms. Regan Ochs

Introductions and Framing  Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS  Goal: To improve, expand and institutionalize civic learning and community engagement.  Civic Engagement at FHSU: An educational activity (curricular and/or co-curricular) that is designed to develop civic knowledge, skills and values resulting in action that has a direct impact on the quality of life in a community.

Presentation Overview  History of civic engagement at FHSU  Continuous improvement process  Assessment data  Early recommendations  Plans for the future

History of Civic Engagement at FHSU  Fall 2001 – Service-Learning Initiative 3 FHSU Faculty involved in state S-L initiative Provost formed University S-L Committee ○ Compiled S-L course list ○ KPI  Fall 2002 – Center for Civic Leadership (CCL) Nationally recognized institute for citizen leadership development

History of Civic Engagement at FHSU  Fall 2003 – American Democracy Project (ADP) Campus Audit University-wide ADP Vision Team ○ Common reading and monthly discussions ○ University Goal with Kansas Board of Regents Activities: Campus/Community/Regional/National ○ Readership Program ○ Times Talks ○ Public Forums ○ Service-Learning Initiative ○ Political Engagement Activities ○ Service trips (local, state, regional, national, international)

Developmental Process  Year 1 (2011 – 2012) American Democracy Project 2.0 Struggles with assessment Crucible Moment released

Developmental Process  Year 2 (2012 – 2013) Seminar class (literature review) Civic engagement audit Creation of FHSU Civic Learning and Community Engagement Taskforce (CLCE) Survey faculty and staff Input from focus groups Evaluate assessment data Develop the “List of 8” (recommendations) LEAD 50 institutions (NASPA)

Process – Fall Seminar Course  Assignments Literature Review ○ The Crucible Moment Facilitated discussions Campus Review Reflections and Recommendations  Themes Emerged from Literature Volunteerism vs. civic engagement Work “with” communities not “for” Moving students along civic engagement continuum Embed civic engagement in the decision making process of the institutions

FHSU Civic Engagement Inventory

Assessment  Review of National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) Data  Review of Civic Engagement Audit Data  Faculty/Staff Campus-Wide Survey (n=164)  Focus Groups Student Affairs Provost’s Council Community Service-Learning Committee  Interviews Dean, College of Arts and Sciences Provost Larry Gould

Assessment  Student Affairs Process Presentation by Task Force Chair & Co- Chair at Divisional Directors Meeting Focus groups at next Directors Meeting facilitated by divisional representatives on Task Force: ○ Director of Persistence & Retention ○ Director of International Student Services ○ Assistant Director of Memorial Union ○ Assistant Director of Residential Life

Preliminary Findings – Student Affairs  Divisional Focus Group Results  Emerging themes shared with CLCE Task Force: Opportunity to approach civic engagement from multiple angles due to diverse functional areas represented Value of civic engagement at institutional level but less congruence in terms of the following: ○ Assessment ○ Staffing ○ Fiscal resources Need for standard definition & frame of reference regarding “civic engagement” Less collaborating & more competing through duplication of efforts As we expand, all parts need to play a role – not just the CCL & the Division of Student Affairs

What position best describes your role at FHSU?

Factors that would encourage involvement Factors that serve as barriers to involvement

Additional Preliminary Findings  Pockets of engagement across the FHSU campus  Lack of “telling the story”  Must be comprehensive – curricular, co- curricular, and culture  Some faculty and departments are “engagement superstars,” while others do not participate  Must be linked to merit, tenure, and promotion processes  Interest from faculty and staff is present

Early Recommendations

What’s Next?  Year Three Additional data collection ○ Student civic engagement climate survey ○ Interviews Revision of the “List of 8” Develop and Present FHSU’s Civic Investment Plan

Questions  Dr. Curt Brungardt,  Dr. Jill Arensdorf,  Mr. Brett Bruner,  Dr. Christie Brungardt,  Ms. Regan Ochs,