Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and ability towards action to make that difference.
What are the tools I need to be civically engaged?
Whatare the tools I need to be civically engaged?
Whatare the tools I need to be civically engaged?
1. Civic Knowledge
Civic Knowledge Can Include:
The understanding of how the government functions
Major political and social issues
Importance of civic rights and responsibilities, such as voting, volunteering, serving on a jury, and the importance of ensuring a free press
2. Civic Skills
Civic Skills Can Include:
Critical thinking on political life
Community collaboration within a group
Determination to make a difference in your community
3. Civic Values
Civic Values Can Include:
Honesty
Respect
Justice
Service
4. Civic Action
Civic Action
Civic action refers to steps taken together by a group of people whose goal is to enhance their condition and achieve a common objective
An example of an activity that builds civic action:
SGA
How can I be civically engaged?
Check out some Civic Rams on your campus and how they embrace civic engagement
Mike R
Focused on civic engagement through discipline
Jackson Mallory
Focused on civic engagement through democratic engagement
Mike R | Focused on civic engagement through discipline
Jackson Mallory | Focused on civic engagement through democratic engagement
When I joined the IDPCE, I was given the opportunity to help educate and provide access to channels of civic duties to college students all across Virginia. I began working on a project called the Virginia Government Simulation, which allows students from any public, private, or community college across the Commonwealth to debate actual legislation in the Virginia House of Delegates Chamber.
With this initiative, I hope to improve Democratic engagement among our youth through hands-on experience in the chambers where real-life law is made every year.
Verenda K. Cobbs | Focused on civic engagement through community engagement
Verenda K. Cobbs, Senior Manager for Civic Innovation & Partnerships at VCU, is pivotal in fostering collaboration and creating pathways for students, faculty, and staff to engage in meaningful service and scholarship. As a Civic Ram, Verenda acts as a connector through her units, including the VCU Division of Community Engagement and the Office of Government Relations, by building strategic partnerships with organizations, city and county departments, and key stakeholders. Through her work, she helps bridge the university with local communities, ensuring that VCU is actively involved in initiatives that support and uplift the region. Her dedication to civic leadership reflects her commitment to creating impactful opportunities that resonate across campus and beyond.
One of Verenda's key initiatives also includes meeting with partners and identifying opportunities for students to engage in volunteer opportunities across the region. If you are interested in volunteering in the Richmond community there are many opportunities at key organizations. For more information about these opportunities, you can connect with Kelsey Jones or Verenda Cobbs to get plugged in!
Johanna Adams | Focused on civic engagement through organizational involvement
At Virginia Commonwealth University, I proudly embrace my role as a leader in action through my involvement across campus. As the Undergraduate President of the Student Government Association (SGA), I listen to student voices and drive meaningful change to then bring that to the admin of our university. As a Presidential Student Ambassador, I can work closely with the office of the president to make sure that student's voices are listened to and ways that we can uplift students.
This is all while my work with the Carver Civic Association and interest in the Jackson Ward District connects our campus with the broader Richmond community and how we can work together. Through these experiences and others, I strive to inspire others and create a positive impact where students and the Richmond community can grow together.
VCU Votes Student Coalition
The VCU Votes Student Coalition is a network of VCU students dedicated to promoting voter engagement on campus. VCU Votes coordinates campus-wide voter engagement events, provides voter education, and works to make VCU the most voter-friendly campus it can be. The Student Coalition coordinates campus-wide voter engagement events, provides voter education, and works to make VCU the most voter-friendly campus it can be.
VCU Votes Advisory Council
The VCU Votes Advisory Council is composed of faculty, staff, and students campus wide that are passionate about civic engagement work on our campus. This council coordinates the activities through three working groups: the Student Coalition, Communications & Mobilization, and the University Civic Engagement Plan.
If you are interested in serving on this committee please reach out to:
POLI 391: VCU Votes
The VCU Votes Course is designed to address an important problem in U.S. electoral politics: the age gap between young voters and those of older generational cohorts. Students in this course will collaborate to register eligible voters, and will be tasked with engaging with the political science literature and public opinion polling in order to design and execute team-based projects that successfully and efficiently mobilize their peers to vote.
This course gives students the opportunity to be involved in voter engagement on VCU’s campus while getting 3 course credits to utilize towards their graduation.
Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and ability towards action to make that difference.
