Lindy Center for Civic Engagement

Drexel University’s vision as a comprehensive and progressive university with a deep commitment to civic engagement comes to life through the Lindy Center for Civic Engagement. The Lindy Center plays a crucial role in fulfilling the University’s goals of becoming the most civically engaged university in the country and improving the lives of those living in the University City community.

The core focus of the center encompasses four interconnected concepts: community-based learning, student civic leadership, community partnerships, and volunteerism. The center’s programming is intentionally aligned with the strategic goals of the University.

The center promotes the ideals of social responsibility and public service by facilitating community-based experiential learning for students, faculty and professional staff. Through collaborations with the community, and in support of the University’s strategic plan, the Center improves the public good on the local, national and global levels while enriching the scholarship and character of Drexel through enhanced education.

Today, the center provides more than 150 unique civic engagement opportunities annually, directs a number of student leadership programs, and supports community-based learning through courses and faculty research projects.

Thanks to its endowment by Philip B. Lindy, the center has established the following programs:

• CIVC 101: a First-Year Civic Engagement Course designed to help students develop skills as active participants in a pluralistic, democratic society through direct service, education, and reflection opportunities. This one-credit course covers key concepts and frameworks for understanding civic engagement, including models of civic life through America's history; critiques of philanthropy, volunteerism, community service, public service and political activism; university-community relations; and public service leadership.

• The Lindy Scholars Program matches Drexel student organizations with local middle school students for after-school STEAM enrichment and mentoring activities, with the goal of enhancing their education and helping them realize their full potential. Guided by Lindy Center staff, student organizations develop activities based on their interests, focusing on topics that also appeal to younger students. Recent programs include robotics, solar car racing, health careers, architecture & design, and a track running club. Lindy Scholars collaborate with Drexel’s School of Education and the Alain Locke, Martha Washington, and Morton McMichael schools in West Philadelphia.

• Certificate in Civic Engagement: The Lindy Center offers a Certificate in Civic Engagement to provide Drexel students with the intellectual grounding to be active participants on issues of public concern in their communities. Drexel is one of a small but growing number of colleges and universities across the country to establish an academic civic engagement program. Students pursuing the certificate will take courses in active citizenship, university-community partnerships and civic engagement leadership, among other innovative topics.

• Student Leadership Opportunities: The Lindy Center aims to provide students with the opportunity to participate in an intensive path of learning through service, leadership and community engagement. These opportunities move beyond one-time volunteer experiences, and require a higher level of commitment and leadership.