Civic engagement and community collaborations have always been at the heart of the University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL).  As a land grant institution, it is built into our mission.  As a member of Campus Compact, we work alongside institutions across the nation to advance the public purposes of higher education by supporting community-based teaching, learning, research, and practice to improve community life and educate students for civic and social responsibility.

We strive to be a university where civic learning and engagement is pervasive, where people think critically, where deliberative conversations and engaged research address real-world problems, where diversity and inclusive practice is not just an ideal, but a reality, and where collaboration is commonplace.   We want all UMSL students to have the competence and confidence to be informed and engaged citizens both now and throughout their lifetimes and to take an active role in community life.  We address these aspirations through the academic curriculum, research and scholarship, integrated community partnership activities, volunteerism, and personal and professional development opportunities, so that UMSL students, faculty and staff will have the capacity to be informed, empowered and active participants in creating a more robust, equitable and livable community.  

While UMSL is considered an engaged campus and it is evident through our partnerships and programs that much has been accomplished in this area, we recognize that much remains to be done. We know we must be strategic in our investments to maximize our contributions to the community. We must be thoughtful about how we measure and improve our processes; and we must be proud and communicate about our civic engagement efforts. In this way, we hope to challenge and inspire others to make meaningful contributions.    

By signing on to the Campus Compact 30th Anniversary Action Statement and subsequently developing a Civic Action Plan, UMSL is affirming our intent to put into action the principles contained therein.  

At UMSL, concentration will be on the following objectives:

• Partnerships between UMSL faculty, staff, and students and community organizations are meaningful and integrated (not just episodic experiences)
• Students vote and are informed about issues (emphasis on taking part in local elections)
• Civic engagement is regarded as a critical component of a university education and experience
• UMSL spending increases at local and minority companies in the area immediately surrounding the university creating a stronger local economy
• University goals are developed in other impact areas of Anchor Institution Dashboard Initiative (education, health, safety, and environment)
• The campus and community immediately surrounding the campus hear about and learn how UMSL contributes to the health and welfare of the community
• Faculty and staff have a broader worldview of social and economic inequalities
• Faculty value engaged teaching, integrating research throughout the courses they teach
• Civic engagement is recognized and celebrated at the individual, departmental  and campus level