CUMU Conference 2019

Stanford University's Haas Center for Public Service has collaborated with 35 public and private two- and four-year stakeholders since 2013 to develop an innovative holistic framework: "Pathways of Public Service and Civic Engagement." (See bit.ly/PathwaysWorkingGroup.) The Pathways collectively describe a range of possibilities by which students can contribute to the common good: community-engaged learning and research; community organizing and activism; direct service; philanthropy; policy and governance; and social entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility.

The framework guides students in exploring how the six Pathways differ from each other in language, practice, and impact. A free online diagnostic tool surfaces student predispositions and interests toward the Pathways; opens students' eyes to lifelong career, engagement, and leadership opportunities; and assists faculty and staff in developing programming to address those opportunities.

Participants will learn about multi-institution research used to identify the Pathways and create the diagnostic tool. Data collected by the tool informs faculty and staff, who can place students in community settings where they have strong Pathway inclinations, encourage students to explore Pathways they had not considered, or ensure they experience all six Pathways in multiple placements during college. Each Pathway provides students with experience they can use with high-impact practices in the classroom, in co-curricular settings, and eventually in the workplace and civil society.

Representatives from participating universities will share how they use the Pathways with (1) a first-year living-learning program, (2) an Institute on Citizen Leadership, (3) a Personalized Education Initiative to enhance student learning, and (4) curricular and co-curricular collaborators and mentors.