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Abstract

The College of Arts and Sciences (CoAS), one of Drexel’s largest colleges, has intentionally aimed to grow and deepen its commitment to civic engagement across the last decade. CoAS has significantly demonstrated a commitment to community engagement by making it a funding priority and creating a leadership position to support engagement. Because of the varying levels and formats of the college’s efforts towards civic engagement, a process of assessment was needed. To channel our assessment efforts we adopted Saltmarsh and Middleton’s pilot assessment rubric. A group of seven engaged faculty from across the college and the Executive Director of the Lindy Center for Civic Engagement analyzed campus websites, press releases, and presidential addresses. Moreover, the group examined additional indicators in such areas as policies, practices, structures, communication, and culture in the form of mission and vision statements, faculty and staff job descriptions, strategic plans, student recruitment materials, tenure and teaching faculty reviews, faculty contracts, operational budgets, and course learning objectives. This data allowed for formative and substantive evaluation of the college’s civic engagement and scholarship. A final white paper was presented to both the Dean of College of Arts and Sciences and the Senior Vice Provost of University and Community Partnerships. Moving forward, this pilot will allow faculty and administrators to strategically address multiple dimensions of engagement at the collegiate and institutional loci.

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