Center for Civic Engagement & Social Impact (CCESI)

All undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to participate in the Social Impact and Leadership Academy. In fact, students that participate in the Academy’s offerings can earn WCU Co-Curricular Community Engagement Certificate, which is noted on your official co-curricular transcript.

All RamCorps members are required to enroll in the Social Impact Leadership Academy as part of their student employment with the Center for Civic Engagement & Social Impact. Core Workshops are built into RamCorps members’ Pre-Service Orientation in the Fall and Spring.

Provides training and development opportunities for WCU students interested in advancing positive social change in their local, national, and/or global communities.

Interested student should be prepared to submit the following information with their application:
Click HERE for application

This will inform us of your intent to complete the Academy. We will then send you information regarding upcoming SILA trainings, workshops, and experiences.

Register for core and elective workshops through Ramconnect through event registrations.

All enrolled students are expected to complete four 60-90 minute core training workshops and a minimum of three electives. The Academy is designed to be completed within two semesters or over the course of your WCU undergraduate or graduate journey.

Core Training Workshops: Four required training workshops that focus on key theories and practices of civic engagement and social change

Workshop	Values
Civic Engagement 101	Cultivating Individual Values for Positive Social Change (i.e. consciousness of self; congruence; commitment)
Civic Empowerment-Understanding Power and Privilege (1/2)	Cultivating Individual Values for Positive Social Change (i.e. consciousness of self; congruence; commitment)
Civic Empowerment-Social Justice and Social Change (2/2)	Cultivating Group Values for Positive Social Change (i.e. collaboration; common purpose; controversy w/ civility)
Community Relations and Cultivating Positive Service Experiences	Cultivating Group Values for Positive Social Change (i.e. collaboration; common purpose; controversy w/ civility)
Public Policy, Politics, and Social Change	Cultivating Civic Values for Positive Social Change (i.e. citizenship)

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Electives: Three required programs, events, workshops or conferences that fulfill the required electives within the certification. Listed below are some examples.

Ruby Jones Conference
Post graduate Program
Public Service Career Panel
Volunteer Fair
Yes 250 – Course- No additional fees for fulltime students enrolled students

The Academy provides a space for students to deepen their knowledge and skills for effectively addressing social issues and concerns within their local, national, and global communities.

Academy participants have the opportunity to (re)define their civic identity and social responsibilities within the context of their own social identities and lived experiences. Moreover, participants will feel empowered to take individual or collective action to improve the social conditions of their communities. Ultimately, the Academy is a great way to get/stay engaged in your community, ignite dynamic dialogue with your peers, and to deepen your commitment to making a positive social impact in the world.

• Students will be able to identify the critical components and qualities of civic engagement to establish their own civic identity and to address social inequities with in a local, national and global context.
• Explain the connections between their academic and personal knowledge and skills, and the ways in which it can address social issues.
• Students will be able to analyze the complexities of power and privilege and reflect on their own social identities and how it relates and effects social justice, and the process of social change that transpires over time.
• Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and dispositions to advocate for change through various civic pathways while demonstrating the interconnected nature of working toward the common good.

	RamCorps	Co-Curricular Community Engagement Certificate
SILA Offerings	**Required** Civic Engagement 101 Civic Empowerment- Understanding Power and Privilege to ignite Social Justice and Social Impact Public Policy, politics and social change Community Relations and Cultivating Positive Service Experiences	Civic Engagement 101 Civic Empowerment- Understanding Power and Privilege to ignite Social Justice and Social Impact Public Policy, politics and social change Community Relations and Cultivating Positive Service Experiences
Elective Options	**Required**

Public Policy and Social Change

Facilitated by Dr. Seth Jacobson, Director of the Center for Civic Engagement and Social Impact

February 21, 2022
Main Hall 315 - 5:30pm

Social Impact Leadership Academy: Public Policy & Social Change provides students with an overview of how they can advance positive social change through U.S. public policy. During this workshop, students will be introduced to key policy concepts, definitions, processes, and tips for effectively navigating political institutions. Students will then have an opportunity to generate a policy-oriented plan for addressing a social issue or cause relevant to their own service, work, or interests

Community Relations and Cultivating Positive Service Experiences

Facilitated by Ella Guimond MSW, Associate Director of the Center for Civic Engagement and Social Impact

April 11,2022
Main Hall 315 -5:30pm

Social Impact Leadership Academy: Community Relations and Cultivating Positive Service Experiences will be an interactive workshop to encourage students to reflect on their civic identity and their commitment to engaging with people who might experience a reality different from their own. Students will explore ways to thoughtfully and respectfully enter into communities to make meaningful and sustainable impact. This workshop will challenge students to critically examine social, political and economic structures and brainstorm ways their presence in communities can positively impact the individuals/groups they are serving.