Civic Engagement Definition

Drexel’s Commitment to Civic Engagement Drexel University President John Fry coined the phrase “Drexel will be the most civically engaged university in the United States” during a speech that took place almost six years ago. Since then, the Drexel community and student body have worked diligently to help successfully achieve the main goal of this mission by giving back to the surrounding community in a variety of ways. Through this ongoing endeavor, many people have benefitted from the programs and initiatives established, whether it be for professional reasons or just a chance to meet and interact with members from Drexel to establish a strong relationship between the members of Drexel University and those who live in the surrounding area.
This course works to help students become engaged in the community and work to fulfill President Fry’s dream. This course pairs each student with an organization that is in the immediate area around Drexel, and the type of service varies from class to class. I felt that it was important to include this course as one of the main ways that Drexel is civically engaged because it helps teach students about the needs of the community and allows them to become a citizen of the surrounding area. I have personal experience with the Wright Recreational Center, one of the partners that works with Drexel. This is an after school program that allows for the students to interact with Drexel student, receive help with homework, and have some fun in the gym. This has been an eye-opening experience for me because it demonstrated the importance of getting involved in the community through the smiles and laughter during my short experience. The kids were ecstatic that Drexel kids would be helping them, showing how much a small gesture could really make on someone else’s
This program allows the Drexel students to minor in education while providing a service to the community. I feel that DragonsTeach is a beneficial program that really intrigued me. I have listened to many speeches from representatives from DragonsTeach and each time I feel that this program is a great way to give back to the community. Based on stories that the representatives tell, the children are thrilled whenever the DragonsTeach program comes into the school because of the fun science experiments set up to help further their education. I have given serious thought to joining this program because teaching an engineering course was one profession that I could see myself doing, and by getting my education to do this I would be able to help strengthen the minds of young students and provide them with opportunities that they may not have had if DragonsTeach did not provide a strong program for the