On February 9 and 10 at High Point University, North Carolina Campus Compact will host three events: the Civic Engagement Institute, the PACE Conference, and the NC Presidents Forum. Over the two days, more than 400 faculty, staff, community partners, and college and university presidents will attend. Participants will discuss research, best practices, and institutional strategies to promote civic and community engagement in higher education.
The Civic Engagement Institute on February 9 will explore the theme: “Democratic Education: 100 Years Beyond Dewey.” As 2016 marks the centennial of educational theorist John Dewey’s influential Democracy and Education, this year’s institute uses Dewey as a springboard to explore current issues in civic engagement. Through plenary sessions, workshops, and panel discussions, nearly 200 faculty, staff, and community partners from more than 20 NC Campus Compact member institutions will examine to what degree higher education has embraced Dewey’s notions of educating for democracy. How can colleges and universities foster democratic principles and practice in individual students, in classrooms, in institutions, and in the broader community?
The Pathways to Achieving Civic Engagement or PACE Conference on February 10 will convene over 230 faculty and staff from 40 institutions in 9 states to share the latest research and best practice in service-learning and civic engagement. After the network’s annual awards ceremony, facilitators will lead an interactive plenary session on the “Future of Service-Learning and Community Engagement,” followed by workshop breakouts on various topics.
While PACE is going on, nearly 30 college and university presidents and chancellors will participate in NC Campus Compact’s annual Presidents Forum, hosted by High Point University President Nido Qubein, who also chairs the Compact’s Executive Board. On the agenda are presentations by representatives of national organizations Say Yes to Education and the Democracy Collaborative, as well as a panel of presidents who will discuss their role in fostering engagement across their institutions. The assembled leaders will also welcome NC Governor Pat McCrory, who will share his perspective on the role of higher education in our state.