Center for Civic Engagement Mission Statement
The Center for Civic Engagement exists to improve student learning through service, service-learning, and other civic engagement activities. These activities may take place as part of courses or as part of the co-curriculum of the college. By investing in civic engagement, Westminster College expects that its students will develop better collaboration and leadership skills, deeper empathy, and a sense that they can contribute to the well-being of their homes, communities, and nation. The College, in turn, will become more deeply connected to its constituent communities and be more widely recognized for its commitment to active, hands-on education that serves the common good.
The Center for Civic Engagement is located in the Bassis Center.
What is Civic Engagement?
Civic Engagement is a phrase that encompasses a wide range of activities—service, service-learning, advocacy and activism among them. These activities have two things in common. First, they serve the public interest. Second, they are carried out by people acting as citizens or community-members. While this means that civic engagement largely focuses on responding to community problems or strengthening public, non-profit organizations, the key to civic engagement is not activity but intent. A person reading alone might be civically engaged if the purpose of that reading is to help him develop as a citizen. A business owner might be civically engaged if she is, but building her business, purposefully improving the community. Conversely, students providing volunteer service might not be civically engaged if they are serving simply to fulfill an assignment.
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Utah Campus Compact Service Learning Honorees
Each year, Westminster College and Utah Campus Compact join together to honor and recognize one dedicated faculty member, one student humanitarian, and one committed community partner in their strides to promote and use service learning. Each institution of higher education takes part in this annual celebration of those members who have shown a passion and dedication to service and service learning. Westminster College is proud to honor this year's recipients and also acknowledge our past honorees.
2012-2013
- Faculty: Robyn Hyde
- Staff: Jaimi Butler
- Student: Maricarmen Rendon
- Community Partner: Hser Ner Moo
2011-2012
- Faculty: Shamby Polychronis
- Staff: Rebecca Richard
- Student: Jerika Michel
- Community Partner: Friendship Manor
2010-2011
2009-10
- Faculty/ Staff Members: Christy Seifert, Communications and Jan Saeed, Spiritual Life
- Student: Amanda Ruiz
- Community Partner: Juvenile Justice Services
2008-09
- Faculty/Staff Members: Cassie Powers, Psychology and Kerry Case, Environmental Center
- Student: Ashley Pederson
- Community Partner: East High School
2007-08
- Faculty/Staff Members: Bill Bynam, Mathematics and Aimee Frost, Student Life
- Student: Raquel Gabbitas
- Community Partner: Hawthorne Elementary
2006-07
- Faculty/Staff Member: Janet Dynak, Education
- Students: Kayla Smith, Kirsten McGann, Jessica Shurtleff
- Community Partner: Big Brothers Big Sisters
2005-06
- Faculty/Staff Member: Jerry Van Os, Accounting
- Student: Casey Rasch
- Community Partner: Discovery Gateway
2004-05
- Faculty/Staff Member: Ty Harrison, Biology
- Student: Lynnette
- Community Partner: SPLORE
2003-04
- Faculty/Staff Member: Cinday Akana, Campus Ministry
- Student: Tyler Jensen
2002-03
- Faculty/Staff Member: Peter Ingle, Education
- Student: Laura Summers
2001-02
- Faculty/Staff Member: Georgie Donavin, English
