Before Day One:First-Year Students' Creating their Path Towards Civic Engagement

Presenters:Brandon Martin

Graduate Assistant for Civic Engagement

Cara Daniello Student, LIS

Kerry Duda Community Service Center student staff

Ramapo College of New Jersey

2012 American Democracy Project National Conference

Saturday, June 9th

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Concurrent SessionsConference Room 3

ScenarioPlease take a minute to read the scenario on the handout provided, and jot some notes down about the types of workshop, activities, programs and experiences you think would be effective to introduce this group of incoming students to civic engagement and leadership.

A Brief History: Created in Summer

2010, only scholars were invited to participate; 13 students.

Evolved in 2011 so that all incoming first-year students were to be invited.

For 2011-2012 LIS, 35 students were selected to participate from 55 applications.

Leaders in ServiceSchedule

Tuesday August 23rd – Saturday August 27th

Leaders in Service (2011)

Continued with monthly civic engagement events throughout academic year

LIS students have been the backbone of Community Service/Civic Engagement projects

5 students are part of Ramapo’s first Living Learning Community

Several students are officers on their floor/building with the Residence Hall Association

Several students were inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta 1st-Year Student Honor Society

Several students have been part of the Ramapo Student Ambassadors with Admissions

2 students have been part of the SGA’s Delegate program

1 student has been first Fledge mascot 2 students have a very popular radio show

on WRPR 2 students are two of the three

finalists for the Ramapo Board of Trustees Student Alternate; one was selected

1 student has been part of the Executive Board of the College Programming Board

Collectively amassed over 500 hours of Community Service this academic year

3 students attended the Active Citizens’ Conference at William and Mary

2 students are among the three students who are piloting VOAD 

9 students were among the 53 students who attended Alternative Break trips 

1 student has been part of the Ramapo News

1 student created and implemented Ramapo’s first World Peace Day on April 16th

1 student has been a student rep. to the American Democracy Project (Cara)

1 student was the winner of the first ADP Civic Engagement essay contest

Several students were recently selected to be Resident Assistants for next year

3 students are among the five 1st-Year students receiving awards at the 2012 Student Leadership Awards Dinner

Several students were leaders of the First-Year Student Challenge

Created in Summer 2011

Year-long initiative between first-year residence hall floors

Goal: to compete in a challenge that involves active community service and campus engagement.

First-Year Student Challenge (FYSC)

FYSC ChargeTwo parts:

1) Floor Service Project• Students will select a

charity or organization that they will partner with throughout the year to help achieve the mission and goals of the organization.

2) Floor Points• Students will earn points

by checking-in at designated on-campus events that either; are related to civic engagement or enhance the first year experience.

Winners Received:1st Place: $1,000 to spend on whatever

the floor decides $300 to donate to charity or

organization they have been working with

*Reception at Havemeyer House with President Peter Mercer

2nd Place: $600 to spend on whatever the

floor decides $200 to donate to the charity of

their choice3rd Place (not awarded): $300 to spend on whatever the

floor decides $100 to donate to the charity of

their choice

ConversationNow that you know about our first-year

civic engagement initiatives at Ramapo College of NJ:

What would you do differently to enhance the program? (What would you add? Eliminate?)

Is your institution currently offering similar programs and initiatives?

What can you do to bring either Leaders in Service or the First-Year Student Challenge to your campus?