Community Engagement at Capital University
About
For decades, Capital University has been an agent in shaping engaged citizens and purposeful leaders who improve their industries, communities, and society. Our roots secure us as we stretch toward innovation, new ways of knowing, and better ways of contributing. Our values ground us, as we remove obstacles to give each student, faculty, staff, community member, and neighbor a chance to do more, not less.
Building on our proven track record of high-impact teaching and learning practices, Capital amplifies experience-centered learning to deepen our impact, not only on our students, but also on our broader community. Through in- and out-of-class community engagement, internships, community-based research and more, with particular focus on the Columbus community, students and faculty explore clear intersections among high-impact practices, social understanding, problem solving and neighborhood empowerment.
Defining Community Engagement
Capital University defines community engagement as a 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. The purpose of community engagement is the partnership of college and university knowledge and resources with those of the public and private sectors to enrich scholarship, research, and creative activity; enhance curriculum, teaching and learning; prepare educated, engaged citizens; strengthen democratic values and civic responsibility; address critical societal issues; and contribute to the public good.
Community Engagement Programs
Our annual community engagement kickoff! In each academic year, team up with some friends (or make some new ones!) and serve with a community partner in Columbus. Information will be available through the Student and Community Engagement office about opportunities to serve.
Capital University has been nationally recognized for being a campus with high student participation in every voting season. We are dedicated to encouraging our students to become lifelong voters. We actively participate in multiple civic engagement holidays, including National Voter Registration Day, National Voter Education Week, Election Hero Day. We also give other opportunities for students to create a plan for voting, practice the voting process, and ensure that they have all the knowledge they need before going to vote.
Each year, we light a giant Christmas tree on campus and Santa makes a special appearance. More importantly, we highlight a few of our community engagement partners and spend the month leading up to the Tree Lighting collecting coats and warm weather accessories to donate to the Open Shelter and other local partners.
Community Partners
Value of Community Partnerships
Here at Capital University, we treasure the relationships we have made with different groups in the surrounding Bexley and Columbus communities. We treasure the opportunities our community members have given us to learn, to teach each other how to properly advocate for our communities and work together to ensure a better quality of life for all. Our community partners are always welcome on campus and invited to fellowship with us.
Working with a Community Partner
If you are looking with a community partner, whether it is on a semester long project incorporated into your academic course in the past five years, we would love to know.
Working with Us
Please email sce@capital.edu to inquire about partnership opportunities, or to share more about any of your current or past community partnerships and community engagement experiences.