An inaugural event of the Quad City Community Engagement Consortium (QC CEC) is set for Thursday, Feb. 3, from 3 to 6 p.m., at the Deere-Wiman Carriage House, 1105 – 8th Street, Moline. College and university leaders are expected to attend this collaborative effort among public and private institutions of higher learning in the Quad City region for the purposes of civic education and community development to enhance the region.

The Consortium’s mission is to work with community partners to provide leadership in service-learning, intern opportunities, and volunteerism. Members of the QC CEC have been meeting and working together for the past 18 months, and have adopted common definitions of service learning and volunteerism.

The event features guest speaker Julie Plaut, Executive Director of the Minnesota Campus Connect and former Director of Academic Initiatives for the National Campus Compact. Plaut’s work is grounded in an asset-based approach to collaboration and change, as well as a deep commitment to lifelong learning and engagement that contributes to sustainable communities. Students from Augustana College, Black Hawk College, St. Ambrose University, and Western Illinois University-Quad Cities will give presentations on their experiences in service learning, volunteerism and internships. The session concludes with breakout sessions to discuss these three broad areas of community service. Continue reading the article here »