Drake University is seeking partner agencies for the 2016-2017 Engaged Citizen Corps service year program. Priority will be given to agencies working within the Drake Neighborhood, but all Greater Des Moines nonprofits, municipalities, schools, and government agencies are encouraged to apply.
Engaged Citizen Corps is an intentionally designed curriculum and service experience for entering first-year students that exposes members to issues of social justice while providing them with a hands-on opportunity to impact their community. Students dedicate themselves not only to weekly service hours, but also to making connections between their community experiences and academic pursuits.
The service project will be directly integrated into the assignments and activities of four courses (15 credits) and will still allow students the opportunity to take other courses toward the pursuit of their major. Engaged Citizen Corps students are expected to work on projects that help organizations build capacity while enhancing economic and community development related to the areas of:
- health & safety
- housing
- transportation & infrastructure
- arts & culture
- education
- business development
While projects are not limited to these six focus areas, priority will be given to agencies working on these issues in the Drake Neighborhood.
Applications are due May 1, 2016, and will be accepted on a rolling basis. Sites will be selected until all slots are filled. See the Engaged Citizen Corps website for the application and more details.
For more information, view the program overview on our Engaged Citizen Corps webpage. Questions should be directed to Renee Sedlacek, interim director of community engagement and service-learning, at renee.sedlacek@drake.edu or 515-271-2454.
This program was selected as the winner for the national Service + Higher Ed Innovation Challenge. Challenge and funding was made possible by the National Conference on Citizenship, The Aspen Institute Franklin Project, and the Lumina Foundation.