Civic Engagement
The California State University defines civic engagement as “collaboration between higher education institutions and their larger communities for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge, skills, and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.” Here at Chico State, civic engagement encompasses a range of activities in which members of the University—faculty, students, staff, administrators—work with persons and organizations in the communities the University serves in order to study and learn while strengthening the social, economic, and physical environments we share.
At its most general, civic engagement is the habit of involving ourselves in our communities because we know that, in the end, we get the sort of public life we’ve worked to build and sustain. Civic engagement means carrying out one’s role—as a scholar, teacher, administrator, or student—without losing sight of the fact that, in a democracy, each of us is responsible for the society that makes it possible for us to pursue our individual purposes and live our individual lives.
Frequently asked questions about civic engagement
The Civic Engagement Placement Process
The Office of Civic Engagement has created an online process for connecting faculty and students with organizations working to address community needs. The Placement Wizard will
- help community partners obtain student and faculty assistance
- help faculty make arrangements for placing students with community organizations, and
- help students take the steps necessary for beginning a community-based learning experience.
