Transforming Service and Civic Engagement

So... Do YOU want in? Making an impact can be you!

VINCENTIAN MISSION Action is our entire task.

What has research shown us? 2016 National Assessment of Service and Community Engagement (NASCE) report done by Siena College Research Institute (SRI) reported: We have reasons to be proud, but we want the high IMPACT! Over 80% of NU students in 2016 have engaged in some kind of community service, significantly higher than national average of 49%. When compared to scores from 53,387 students from 2009-2016, NU students outperformed these other students in all 9 areas and overall. Compared to institutions of a similar size, NU students participate in community service at a significantly higher rate (80% vs. 49%). YET… 70% of our students leave NU not feeling a deep commitment to service.

Moving from Donors to charity To Partners in a solution OLD: Learn and Serve New: IMPACT SPORADIC SHORT-TERM BASED ON PARTNERS’ IMMEDIATE NEEDS MEASURED BY COUNTING SERVICE HOURS SINGLE SEMESTER COMMITMENT FOCUSED ON IDENTIFIED COMMUNITY NEEDS ALIGNED TO NU MISSION DEVELOPS DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF MISSION, SERVICE, COLLECTIVE IMPACT, AND SYSTEMIC CHANGE PROJECT-BASED LEARNING Throughout Academic Disciplines CAREER PREPARATION THROUGH SERVICE RESEARCH-DRIVEN/MEASURED BY OUTCOMES STRESSES LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

What does IMPACT model look like? Freshmen Discover Develop an understanding of the importance of service to the mission Sophomore Plan Determine research need and plan ACTION project Junior Action Implement the project through service hours and area of expertise. Senior IMPACT Collect data, analyze project to determine if outcomes were reached and identify IMPACT Alumni Commitment to service Remain agents of change

Key Components of Niagara university’s impact model Collective impact Vincentian systemic change Project-based learning Vincentian Systemic Change recognizes community difficulties and aims to explore long term solutions in addition to meeting basic need collective impact means that we attain much more and have greater impact when we work collectively on an issue. Project Based Learning allows students to gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time with others to investigate and respond to an authentic, engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge

Why we need to strengthen our commitment … Poverty Workforce development Literacy Health and Wellness Early Childhood Education Niagara Falls 36.4% children living in poverty Unemployment rate Niagara Falls - 11.4% Niagara County - 10% Niagara Falls 12.5% have Bachelor’s Degree or higher Niagara County 30% functional illiteracy rate

MORE REASONS… About 1 in 2 Niagara Falls residents are struggling financially 15% of Niagara Falls’ most vulnerable have urgent concerns for food 37% of the city’s at-risk population are unemployed 1 in 4 of the most vulnerable in Niagara Falls do not have health insurance 277 students dropped out of high school in 2010-11 10,900 Niagara Falls Residents are below the federal poverty level 76% of those surveyed are receiving some form of public assistance 15% of Niagara Falls residents have less than a high school education

Service from Cradle to career Early Childhood Health and Wellness Literacy Social skills Socio economics Education Housing Workforce development Elimination of poverty

What does NU Expect from You? NU Learning Outcomes Interdisciplinary and critical thinking Analytical writing Communication skills Perceptive reading ability Cultural understanding and social awareness Engagement in life-long learning NU Community Values Knowledge Caring Compassion Integrity Spirituality NU Expectations Outside of the Classroom Responsible citizen Engagement in multiple perspectives Self-discovery Creativity/innovation

What does impact do for you? Discover your Skills & Put them to use Explore career possibilities Career preparation & resume building Hands-on experience outside of the classroom Develop leadership abilities Better communication, problem solving, and other skills Become an agent of change!

Why is this important from a career perspective Why is this important from a career perspective? Value of volunteerism - $24.00/hour Value of skills-based volunteering - $150.00/hour

The Civic 50 Companies that hire NU Grads Aetna Inc. AT&T Citi Deloitte Fed Ex Keybank Time Warner Cable United Health Group UPS Verizon

So... Do YOU want in? Making an impact WILL be you!

Action is our entire task For more information on the Key components that make up impact proceed to the following modules! Action is our entire task St. Vincent de Paul