forbes.com
Faculty-Led Civic Engagement Boosts Student Participation at Lincoln University
Lincoln University faculty and students collaborated on nonpartisan civic engagement events, including a Lunch and Learn series and a post-election panel, fostering student agency and demonstrating that civic learning extends beyond the classroom, impacting student participation and perceptions of democracy.
- What collaborative strategies were employed to ensure the nonpartisan and inclusive nature of the civic engagement events?
- The success of these events stemmed from faculty across disciplines sharing expertise in approachable ways, directly impacting students. This approach highlighted the connection between voting and broader historical and global systems, showing students their voices matter and that democracy is something they are a part of.
- How did Lincoln University's faculty-led civic engagement initiatives impact student participation and perceptions of democracy?
- At Lincoln University, faculty collaborated with students to create nonpartisan civic engagement events, such as the Lunch and Learn Series and Post Election Analysis Panel, which addressed issues important to students, like voting access and local policy impacts. These events successfully fostered a sense of agency and belonging among students, demonstrating that civic learning extends beyond the classroom.
- What resources are available to support faculty in designing and implementing similar civic engagement programs on other campuses?
- By modeling civic engagement, faculty can cultivate democratic habits among students, making democracy more relevant and resilient. The initiative demonstrates how smaller, collaborative efforts, supported by resources like the APSA Civic Engagement Resource Collection and the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, can significantly impact student engagement and campus culture.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The framing is largely positive, emphasizing the success of the initiatives at Lincoln University. This positive framing could be seen as slightly biased, as it doesn't extensively address potential challenges or limitations of the approach. The title itself, while not explicitly biased, implicitly promotes the positive aspects of university campus engagement.
Language Bias
The language used is largely positive and motivational, which could be seen as slightly biased towards a favorable view of the initiatives. Words like "hope," "inviting," and "successful" create a positive tone. While not overtly biased, these choices shape the reader's perception. More neutral language could be used in places.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the author's experience at Lincoln University and doesn't explore civic engagement initiatives at other universities or alternative approaches to fostering student participation. While this limits the scope, it doesn't necessarily present a biased perspective, given the focus on a successful case study.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article describes initiatives that foster civic engagement and democratic participation among students. These initiatives, such as the Lunch and Learn Series and Post Election Analysis Panel, directly contribute to students' civic learning and development of essential skills for democratic participation, thus enhancing the quality of education beyond the traditional classroom setting. The focus on non-partisan dialogue and inclusivity further promotes critical thinking and responsible citizenship.