October 28, 2010

Campus Compact Draws Promising Connection Between Civic Engagement and College Access/Success

A new white paper from the non-profit organization Campus Compact provides compelling evidence that college students who participate in civic engagement and service-learning activities earn higher grade point averages and have a better chance of staying in college and earning degrees.

Boston, MA — A new white paper from Campus Compact provides compelling evidence that college students who participate in civic engagement and service-learning activities, earn higher grade point averages and are more likely to complete their college degree.

Further, “A Promising Connection: Increasing College Access and Success through Civic Engagement” finds that two- and four-year higher education institutions across the nation, as well as K-12 schools, are intentionally linking dimensions of civic engagement with learning to educate students for civic life. The result can be the strengthening of educational, economic, and social assets of colleges and communities alike.

The paper also reports that civic engagement involving K-12 students can strengthen the pipeline to colleges and universities⎯helping to address issues of college access and student success in college. These outcomes are especially true for first-generation college attendees, students of color, and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The findings were presented recently at Campus Compact’s Presidents Leadership Summit 2010, hosted by Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. and Georgetown President John J. DeGioia−chair of the National Board of Campus Compact, along with Compact President Maureen F. Curley. Dr. DeGioia was joined by 100 college presidents from public, private, two- and four-year institutions across the spectrum of higher education and Campus Compact state directors from Hawaii to Maine, all of whom share his conviction that civic engagement and service-learning can play a significant role in increasing college access and success.

The meeting was convened by Campus Compact to respond to President Barack Obama’s challenge that, “By 2020, America will once again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world.” The United States currently ranks only 12th among the 36 countries in a College Board study of countries with the highest graduation rates, the highest of which is Canada with a graduation rate of 55.8%.

Dr. DeGioia explained that the President’s challenge means we must increase the percentage of Americans completing an Associates Degree or higher by 4.2% annually by 2020. “This will require a growth of over 8.2 million new degrees in this time frame. To do this we will need to ensure more students are on their way towards a degree, and that more are successful in completing studies necessary for a degree.”

“This is a distinctly American story,” he continued, one that connects democracy and educa-tion with the flourishing of each community. By connecting the livelihood of American commu-nities and colleges, the utilitarian drive to produce the most competitive workforce becomes an issue of civic responsibility, of giving back to the community and to our country…”

The Summit was funded through a seed grant from Lumina Foundation for Education and KnowHow2GO⎯the nation’s largest foundation dedicated exclusively to increasing students’ access to and success in postsecondary education. Lumina’s own goal is to increase the percentage of Americans who hold high-quality degrees and credentials to 60% by 2025.

Generous support was also received from Georgetown University, USA Funds, Jenzabar, Inc., Community College of Allegheny County, Montana Campus Compact, National Student Loan Program, Natixis Global Associates, and Widener University. The American Council on Education (A.C.E.) was also a partner.

To read and download “A Promising Connection: Increasing College Access and Success through Civic Engagement” or learn more of the proceedings of the Summit, visit Campus Compact’s website: www.compact.org.

Campus Compact is a national coalition of nearly 1,200 college and university presidents⎯ representing some 6 million students⎯who are committed to fulfilling the civic purposes of higher education. As the only national education association dedicated solely to campus-based civic engagement, Campus Compact promotes public and community service that develops students’ citizenship skills, helps campuses forge effective community partnerships, and provides resources and training for faculty seeking to integrate civic and community-based learning into the curriculum.

For more information or to arrange an interview with Campus Compact President Maureen F. Curley, please contact Sue C. Kelman, Director of Communications: skelman@compact.org or 617-357-1881, x207. Photographs of the event are also available by request.