About CEL
At Walden University, we believe that education is not just a path to personal success but also a powerful force for good in the world. We invite you to join us on this journey of discovery, growth, and positive change. Together, we can shape a brighter future for ourselves and the communities we serve.
Our
Mission
Impact and Transformation
The Office of Civic Engagement & Leadership is dedicated to offering impactful and transformative experiences to our students within the broader community. Our primary goal is to foster the development of leadership skills and civic identities among our students and graduates, equipping them to be effective agents of positive change within local, national, and global communities.
We achieve this by establishing meaningful connections between the university and the community, forging partnerships that allow us to delve into the pressing issues confronting leaders in contemporary society. Through a combination of engaged curricular and co-curricular leadership learning opportunities, we provide our students with a comprehensive and enriching educational experience. Our emphasis is on not only acquiring knowledge but also applying it to real-world situations.
At the heart of our mission is the promotion of active citizenship, instilling in our students a profound sense of responsibility and engagement with the communities they inhabit. Through these initiatives, Civic Engagement & Leadership (CEL) strives to empower our students to become leaders who are not only well-prepared academically but also committed to making a meaningful and lasting impact on the world around them.
Our
Vision
Promise and Aspiration
The vision of Civic Engagement & Leadership Development at Walden University is one of promise and aspiration. It envisions a future in which Walden students and graduates embrace their roles as proactive contributors to society, holding a steadfast commitment and sense of responsibility to collaborate with others in the pursuit of leadership that enhances our world. This vision encompasses a future in which active citizenship, community engagement, and social responsibility become integral facets of Walden's culture, ingrained in the expectations and understanding of what it means to be a leader. Through this vision, Walden University seeks to nurture individuals who not only excel academically but also embody the values of civic engagement, leadership, and the betterment of our global community.
Our
Guiding Values
These guiding values underscore the commitment of Civic Engagement & Leadership Development at Walden University to preparing each student and alumnus to be socially responsible, ethical, and effective leaders who actively contribute to positive social change. We are SCALING our efforts to develop leaders who are prepared to make meaningful contributions both locally and globally.
SCALING our efforts to develop leaders who are prepared to make meaningful contributions both locally and globally.
SCALING encapsulates our holistic approach to developing leaders who are prepared to make meaningful contributions both locally and globally. By embracing these values, we aim to scale up the impact of our civic engagement and leadership efforts, creating a more just, equitable, and connected world.
Civic Engagement Guidelines
Our Civic Engagement work is grounded in the following definitions:
- “Civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values, and motivations to make that difference. It means promoting the quality of life in a community, through both political and non-political processes” (Civic Responsibility in Higher Education, Ehrlich, 2000, p.vi).
- Social Change is as a deliberate process of creating and applying ideas, strategies, and actions to promote the worth, dignity, and development of individuals, communities, organizations, institutions, cultures, and societies. Positive social change results in the improvement of human and social conditions (input citation)
- “Civic learning and democratic engagement means promoting the education of students for engaged citizenship through democratic participation in their communities, respect and appreciation of diversity, applied learning, and social responsibility” (NASPA, https://www.naspa.org/focus-areas/civic-learning-and-democratic-engagement).
- “Community engagement is collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity” (Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement).
Our Team
Contact Information
