Community and Civic Engagement
Civic engagement has been at the heart of Washington College's mission since it was founded in 1782 as the first college specifically designed to train citizen leaders of our new democratic nation.
Students at Washington College learn about the importance and value of citizenship today and how to make change in their communities and through all levels of government while getting the chance to make an impact now, not after graduation.
Department of Political Science
Patrick Nugent
Thomas V. Mike Miller Director of Civic Engagement, Assistant Research Professor of Civic Engagement- 443-812-0778
- pnugent2@washcoll.edu
- The Custom House
Today, our approach to community and civic engagement is all-encompassing. We create myriad opportunities for students to make positive social impact because it's the right thing to do. And we also do so because it leads to powerful learning opportunities and cutting-edge professional development.
For a Research Methods in the Social Sciences Course, students studied civic engagement on campus and in the community. The chart below reflects the five most common activities undertaken by Washington students who were highly civically engaged.
A Framework for Engagement
Internships
Washington College interns engage in service-based positions from Chestertown to the
nation's Capitol with organizations that support civic engagement, grassroots advocacy,
sustainable leadership, education, human rights, and social justice.
Course Work
In addition to courses explicitly studying civic engagement or facilitating partnerships for community benefits, the director of civic engagement works with faculty to integrate lessons into more general courses and trainings.
Public-Facing Research
Many faculty have reoriented their research to be in service to local, regional, and national partners and make students part of the process. These opportunities show students that their work can have a positive impact on the world right now.
Student-Led Service Projects
Student projects have monitored pollution in local waterways, created digital exhibits in partnership with national museums, developed numerous fundraisers for regional charities, mentored local school children, and much more.
Supported by the College's faculty, centers of excellence, and robust network of community partners, Washington College students are encouraged and guided through this critically important civic work. Together, we are committed not just to doing civic engagement, but to doing it well—to better understanding and addressing critical issues of social concern, to fostering reciprocal and transparent community partnerships, to amplifying diverse voices and experiences, and to creating measurable and sustainable change.
Community and Civic Engagement in Action
Student Recommendations Impact Local Agenda
At the request of Town Council and Chestertown Mayor, students researched ways to increase civic engagement at the local level. Several recommendations were later proposed by the Mayor for the Council to consider implementing.
PEN America Sparks Dialogue on Campus Free Expression
Students learned tools, strategies, and understanding necessary to foster open dialogue and respect for diverse perspectives across campus from the nonprofit's pilot colloquium.
College Hosts Maryland Corps for Day of Civic Engagement
Washington College welcomed over 450 enthusiastic, service-minded Marylanders from across the state for the first All Corps event for the current class of Maryland Corps, Service Year Option, and AmeriCorps Members.
Department of Political Science
Patrick Nugent
Thomas V. Mike Miller Director of Civic Engagement, Assistant Research Professor of Civic Engagement- 443-812-0778
- pnugent2@washcoll.edu
- The Custom House