Inspiring Lifelong Active Citizenship

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One way institutions of higher education across the nation are developing lifelong active citizens is through hosting Alternative Break programs. Break Away is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports the development of quality alternative programs by providing training and information to colleges, universities, and nonprofit organizations interested in creating lifelong active citizens. According to their latest study, over 17,000 students contributed nearly 625,000 hours of service to communities through Alternative Break programs in 2012 alone.

Listen Up! We Need to Strengthen Our Partnership

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When I was a kid, I heard time and again that I wasn’t a good listener.

“J.R. would have so much talent, if only he’d listen,” teachers would write. “You never listen,” my mom would say.

I can’t recall when I started listening, but I reckon you have to be a bad listener, and that it has to be pointed out, before you can see the error of your ways. I guess as we grow older, and into professionals, it’s a learned talent that continues to improve over time. Even mid-career, I continue to hone my listening skills.

Becoming Glocal: I think I might

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By J.R. Jamison

In late September 2011, Indiana Campus Compact co-sponsored the 4^th International Symposium on Service-Learning at the Ningbo Institute of Technology in Ningbo, China.  The Symposium was developed in 2005 as a partnership between the University of Indianapolis and Stellenbosch University (South Africa), and since that time has grown to a collaboration of four organizations with the addition of Indiana Campus Compact and the Ningbo Institute of Technology.  This biennial Symposium attracts roughly 150 participants from all corners of the globe to share service engagement program ideas and research projects.  This year our little corner of the globe, in Indiana, was well-represented with participants, and in some cases delegations, from Butler University, Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC), Purdue University—West Lafayette, Purdue University North Central, and the University of Indianapolis.  I, too, as a representative of Indiana Campus Compact, attended this Symposium, and I’ll tell you why.

From Good To Great

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Roger Bingham, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Ivy Tech Community College Columbus/Franklin

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”  Or maybe it’s been phrased, “Leave well enough alone.”  Or for the animal lovers, “Let sleeping dogs lie.”  And in some settings, that philosophy is well-advised (especially with the dog!).  But should we in higher education settle for this type of approach to working with our students?  Why should we settle for “good” when “great” is possible?