Common Cause: Building a better world through individual & collective public service

Despite historic economic means and growth, our communities still struggle with significant economic, political, and social inequities. Addressing systemic inequities requires a systematic approach where we position creating positive social change as the responsibility of all community members—whether in the public, nonprofit, or private sector. But systematic social change requires individuals who choose a public service path.

Higher education is uniquely positioned to enable this kind of social change on a large scale. It provides students with space for professional exploration and experiential learning that helps them determine not just what they’re good at but what motivates them—and helps them build civic habits and discover their personal mission. By doing this, campuses empower students as civic innovators and leaders who can address immediate day-to-day community needs, advocate for public policy that shapes our laws and resource allocation, and envision innovative practices that help address root causes of wicked social problems.

There are many ways campuses can engage in this work, and we hope you will find some of the examples and resources shared in this message helpful. One critical partner I’d like to highlight, however, is AmeriCorps. In its nearly 30-year history, AmeriCorps has been a tool to help mobilize community members to dedicate significant time to social action. At Campus Compact, we’ve been a proud, long-term partner of AmeriCorps and witness firsthand every day the transformative power of public service on communities and on the individuals who participate in it. Just last week, our latest cohort of AmeriCorps members with the VISTA program (pictured above) showcased the outcomes of their yearlong terms of service. The impact is staggering.

High-impact practices that link student learning and experiential education with public service can really benefit everyone—and amplify the benefits of our work. By leveraging these practices on campuses around the country every day, our civic and community engagement efforts create a ripple effect that leads to a more just and equitable society for us all.

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