Civic action and community engagement are core values at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP). Currently UWSP offers a variety of community engagement opportunities. This commitment to community engagement is evident in the variety of opportunities for engagement embedded in our curriculum. Students to engage in experiential learning and benefit from those opportunities by reflecting on experiences beyond their typical classroom activities and by applying the knowledge and skills they gain from traditional courses in new settings. The experiential learning that takes places at UWSP includes internships, service learning, community organizing and public performances.

The University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point values civic engagement and community partnerships as an integral part of our educational approach. We are proud of our legacy of community engagement under the Wisconsin Idea, including our roots in teacher education and our current partnerships with local and statewide organizations.

GOAL 1: Prepare students to become active citizens committed to engagement with campus, local and global communities.

Activities

• Item 1: Work with Associate Dean of General Education and Honors and the General Education committee as well as the Deans of UWSP’s five colleges to identify courses that assist student in this direction.
• Item 2: Continue to support practicums, internships and other applied activities through courses.
• Item 3: Explore designation of classes as engagement recognition on student transcripts and or as elements of an engagement certificate.
• Item 4: Work with Campus Activities and Student Engagement to expand incentives for meaningful student community engagement to advertise to student community service opportunities.
• Item 5: Assist students with overcoming barriers to student community engagement, such as transportation.

GOAL 2: Foster a diverse and inclusive culture on campus and in the surrounding community.

Activities

• Train all faculty and staff on creating an inclusive student experience through a workshop series offered by the Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning (CITL).
• Offer similar trainings to external partners at no cost for those who are engaged with UW-Stevens Point faculty and instructors on community engagement projects.
• Partner with community groups to offer programming and other opportunities for exploring diversity.

GOAL 3: Develop faculty, staff and administrators on implementing high impact practices in community engagement.

Activities

• Item 1: Work with CITL to offer engagement curricular development for faculty in the existing faculty development programs.
• Item 2: Work with Wisconsin Campus Compact to continue to educate faculty, staff and administrators on high impact practices in community engagement.
• Item 3: Commit to utilize the resources offered through membership in Campus Compact by sending UW-Stevens Point representatives to various regional and national events. 

GOAL 4: Identify an entity to make more visible the engaged activities on campus and to act as a “front door” for community partners and organizations to more easily connect with collaborators, resources, and programs on campus.

Activities

• Item 1: Create and sustain a community focus and a formal infrastructure.
• Item 2: Work with the college units to identify and report on engaged activities by faculty, students staff community partners. Encourage departments and units to recognize engaged scholarship in retention and tenure decisions.
• Item 3: Create an Engagement Council /Planning Committee representing faculty, from variety of disciplines and colleges.