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Center for Civic Engagement
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Center for Civic Engagement

From promoting volunteer opportunities to facilitating classroom dialogues or connecting the University with community organizations, we are here to help!

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2025 Preview Service Project

Our annual Preview Service Project features a school supply drive for the Back to School Alliance. Backpacks with the items will be stuffed during Preview sessions and distributed to local children.

Learn how you can help.

School Supplies

A student working as volunteer on a Alternative Breaks trip.

Make a #RedbirdImpact with Alternative Breaks

During an Alternative Spring Break trip to Memphis, Tennessee, in 2024, students worked with Living Lands & Waters to collect 46,032 pounds of trash in 4 days. Watch the video and learn more!

Apply for Alternative Breaks.

Illinois State University recognized for student voting

Illinois State University was named a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge.

Visit the Redbird Voter Guide.

Picture of line on election day.

Types of Civic Engagement

Discover the ways Illinois State practices civic engagement and some examples from actual projects.

Explore Types of Civic Engagement

News and Events

See what's happening with civic engagement at Illinois State.

young children huddled around a water table

Camp site: College of Arts and Sciences units welcome youth campers to explore careers in science

On a warm June Friday, day campers from Metcalf School were served red, ripe strawberries still cold from the chiller they were plucked from at a local grocery store earlier that morning. But the tasty fruits weren’t a snack. The campers promptly smashed them into a chunky, syrupy, gelatinous goo. Forty-three kids ranging in ages 

Read more Civic Engagement news

A group of people at a park with garbage bags in front. They just completed a park clean up.

Recap of #RedbirdImpact Month 2025
ISU President Aondover Tarhule presents President's Volunteer Service Awards to members of ISU's Spanish Club.

Spanish Club Celebrates National Volunteer Honorees, Cultural Excellence at Fiesta Latina
Mboka Mwilambwe standing in a grassy area near a lake, with a footbridge behind him.

Alum, former mayor who advocated for Juneteenth holiday to be recognized
Nov18

Social Impact Career Fair

11/18/25 at 2:00 PMBone Student Center

View all Civic Engagement Events

Make a Contribution

Support life-changing experiences for our students

View Giving Opportunities