Civic Reflection and Higher Education

Colleges and universities across the country are strengthening their efforts to fulfill their civic mission—to educate students in academic subjects, but also to help students become engaged, effective citizens. Whether the ultimate goal is to empower students to learn academic content or to improve the communities around them and address public problems, civic reflection is a powerful tool for building the capacity of faculty, staff and students.

Civic reflection is an open-ended reflective discussion practice that builds community, increases clarity about values and beliefs, and renews, sustains, and encourages deeper commitment. It can be used by college and university groups across a wide range of areas—including community engagement and volunteerism, service learning, student development, and faculty and staff professional development.

What Is Civic Reflection?

• A unique and effective method of reflection that engages groups, not just individuals
• A pedagogical approach that revolves around inquiry and experiential learning
• A tool for faculty and staff development
• An essential skill for student leadership and development
• A means of promoting diversity and dialogue across differences
• A tool for civic dialogue and civic engagement
• An effective team-building activity
• A component of faith and interfaith activities
• A method for vocational discernment

Where do I Use Civic Reflection?

• Classrooms
• Faculty and staff meetings
• Professional development seminars
• Student leadership training
• Diversity and cross-cultural activities and events
• Conferences and retreats
• Orientations and in-service events
• Student community service days or events
• Mission trips and alternative spring breaks
• Vocational discernment programs
• Faith and interfaith events and activities
• Service club meetings and events
• Residence hall group meetings or service events
• Administrator staff and board meetings

Impact and Outcomes

How to Work with the Project on Civic Reflection

Contact us if you would like us to:

• Train students, faculty, staff, or community members to facilitate civic reflection discussions.
• Facilitate or co-lead a civic reflection discussion (or series of discussions) with your group, organization, or class.
• Deliver a keynote speech or introductory presentation at a conference, retreat, in-service day, orientation, or other campus event.
• Consult on materials, curriculum, or the integration of civic reflection discussions into your institution or group.
• Provide resources for discussion, such as books and readings.
• Provide evaluation materials and research to "make the case" for civic reflection.

What People Are Saying

Students

"It was very surprising how helpful I found this training session. I thought I had a good idea coming into this session about how to facilitate reflections but I realize now that my knowledge beforehand was very basic. This session helped me to expand and highlight key concepts in planning and executing reflection discussions."
—Student, Elmhurst College, Participant in two-day facilitation training

Staff

"Civic reflection is a great way to get people to engage in a conversation. The common reading gives people the ability to relate to one another and draw upon past experiences… I plan to use civic reflection with the service-learning students with whom I work as a means to discuss wider, important social issues."
—Staff Member, San Francisco State University, Participant in civic reflection discussion series

Faculty

"Many of the faculty who participated said that the program was one of the best in-service programs that we have had at the college in many years. Several of our humanities departments have started some of their meetings with a brief civic reflection reading and discussion. This seems to end up making their meetings more productive."
—Faculty Member and Vice-President of Academic Services, Highland Community College, Participant in in-service event with plenary and small group discussions