Civic Engagement

Supporting Our Community

At Waubonsee, we support civic engagement—any individual or collective effort that supports the needs of a community or society through intentional outreach programs or initiatives.

That means we recognize the power of volunteering, and we want our students to have opportunities to connect with the community and feel the impact they can make. We advocate civic engagement for students, faculty and staff through making introductions to organizations with specific needs, hosting events on campus, and incorporating various efforts into our teaching model.

Student Life - Civic Engagement - Day of Service - Spring 2023

Recycled Art Contest

In celebration of Earth Day on Thursday, April 22, Waubonsee hosted an art contest to bring awareness to the importance of recycling! The first 50 students who submitted received a 4oceans™ bracelet and a flower seed packet to promote the Earth Day cause. 4ocean is a company that sells bracelets made mostly from recycled materials, for which the materials are environmentally and socially responsibly sourced. Every 4ocean product purchased comes with the One Pound Promise to pull one pound of trash from the ocean, rivers, and coastlines. Every purchase helps fund the global ocean clean-up operation and supports a growing movement to end the world’s reliance on single-use plastic.

Entries were judged in three categories: Most Creative, Best Message and Best Overall Composition.

Winners:

Best Overall

Romi Stralka - Profitable Solutions

Best Message

Valencia Baez - Our Baby Earth

Most Creative

Natalie Gasca - Ocean or Recycle Dump

Special thanks to our judges: Andrea Swofford, former Waubonsee graduate and currently student teaching as an art teacher; Stacey Montgomery, a local illustrator and writer, and founder of Stacey M. Designs; Nafsia Husain, owner and operator of Studio Nafsia, a visual arts studio and school; and Allie Pape, owner of Occasions, a designer gift shop and boutique.

Recycled Art Gallery

What type of civic engagement resonates with you?

Community Service or Volunteering

Donate time and energy for the benefit of other people in the community as a social responsibility rather than for financial reward. This may be one time or ongoing for an organization or community in need.

Staff member helping two visitors at Aurora Downtown Open House in 2019

Deliberate Dialogue

Facilitate better communication, relationships and understanding between individuals or groups through workshops, seminars, town hall meetings, etc.

Community Partnerships

Partner with community groups to promote a better community, Often these partnerships involve organizations such as community organizations and mental health organizations.