Center for Civic Engagement launches this fall at Elgin Community College

Starting this fall, Elgin Community College students can apply to be civic leaders with the new Center for Civic Engagement, which will be a regional hub for training civic leaders, political education, and promoting democracy.

"Civics centers are rare at the community college level," said LaTasha DeHaan, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science. "By serving as a bridge between the student body, legislators, and community stakeholders, ECC aims to be a leader in student civic engagement among community colleges."

DeHaan serves as the Center for Civic Engagement's co-director along with Antonio Ramirez, Ph.D., associate professor of history.

Students selected as civic leaders will undergo leadership training; engage ECC's student body in civic issues; and collect, analyze, and disseminate data on student and community public opinion to stakeholders throughout our region.

They will also have opportunities to attend legislative sessions in Springfield, Illinois, to engage with local and state leaders, government officials, and civic organizations.

Civic leaders will receive a $500 scholarship per semester of involvement.

Over the summer, ECC student Giselle Miranda has been working with DeHaan and Ramirez to prepare for the center's launch and will be part of the first Civic Leader cohort this fall.

"I wanted to work on something where I could contribute to the empowerment of student voices and help engage the community in political advocacy," said Miranda.

The Center for Civic Engagement will foster a robust and respectful campus environment in which students, faculty, employees, and the broader community will have regular opportunities to learn, vote, interact with public officials, and engage in the most pressing political questions of the day, both on ECC's campus and beyond.

Learn more about the Center for Civic Engagement at elgin.edu/civic.