Office of Civic Engagement and Leadership

Undergraduate Education

Welcome to the Office of Civic Engagement and Leadership!

The Office of Civic Engagement and Leadership (OCEL) connects Lincoln University to Jefferson City and the surrounding community. We steward the university’s commitment to the city, support academic and administrative units in their civic priorities and lead strategic initiatives that extend the University’s reach and impact.

Get involved, explore our programs and see how you can make a difference.

Mission and Guiding Principles

Our mission is to strengthen Lincoln University’s impact on the lives of people in Jefferson City and demonstrate the transformative civic role that urban institutions of higher education can have in cities around the world.

Guiding Principles:

  • Uphold and extend the University’s core values
  • Create mutually beneficial partnerships
  • Demonstrate positive local impact

Programs and Initiatives

We provide Lincoln University students with meaningful engagement opportunities that foster their social and intellectual development while advancing shared impact with community partners.
Collaborating with academic units, we develop a university-wide approach to make Lincoln University a premier destination for the scholarship, teaching and practice of civic leadership.
We strengthen and scale the student engagement program as a platform for faculty, students, and staff to contribute and learn from community-based nonprofits and social sector entrepreneurs.
We advance collaboration to increase Lincoln University’s economic investment in Jefferson City’s disenfranchised communities through local purchasing, hiring and support for housing and neighborhood revitalization initiatives.

Featured Programs

  • A one-year program where outstanding undergraduate students intern at the state capital for 10 weeks during the summer, shadowing legislators and attending classes at Lincoln University.
  • Students from all majors are encouraged to apply. Jefferson City offers numerous internship opportunities in various fields and industries.
  • Admitted students work closely with program staff to develop competitive application materials, apply to internship positions, interview successfully and secure meaningful internships.
  • By partnering with the Missouri Department of Mental Health, our students help improve the availability, accessibility and awareness of resources and services for children and youth in our communities.
  • Students are trained as NCSC Consultants and facilitators who support local mappings, provide technical assistance, hand out toolkits and supplies, and manage workshops.
  • As a member of the UPSTREAM team, our students help with the planning and logistics of each workshop.

Academic Integration

This session focuses on the integration and effectiveness of civic learning within curricular and co-curricular activities. Faculty document advancements in life skills, civic learning and citizenship.

Details:

  • Course Syllabi and Descriptions: Courses incorporating civic learning and engagement themes.
  • Programmatic Data on High-Impact Practices (HIPs): Service-learning projects, community internships and civic engagement workshops.
  • Assessment Reports: Data and analysis from assessments related to civic outcomes.
  • Faculty and Student Testimonials: Qualitative evidence on civic learning integration and its impact.
  • Outreach and Engagement Records: Partnerships with community organizations and governmental bodies.

This session highlights how the program’s curriculum contributes to the University’s core educational goals, fostering civic engagement.

Details:

  • Core Course Listings: Core curriculum courses with civic learning outcomes.
  • Curriculum Maps: Visual/textual representations of civic learning outcomes in the core curriculum.
  • Learning Outcome Assessments: Results from assessments measuring civic knowledge and skills.
  • Program Reviews: Summary reports on civic learning integration and effectiveness.
  • Stakeholder Feedback: Feedback from local community leaders, alumni and faculty on the core curriculum’s effectiveness in promoting civic engagement.

Get Involved

The Office of Civic Engagement and Leadership (OCEL) at Lincoln University is dedicated to creating a meaningful impact in Jefferson City and beyond. Through our diverse programs and initiatives, we aim to foster a strong sense of civic responsibility and leadership among our students, faculty and staff. By partnering with local organizations, supporting small businesses, and promoting economic inclusion, we work to build a vibrant and inclusive community.

We invite you to be a part of this transformative journey. Whether you are a student looking to engage in civic activities, a community member seeking to collaborate or an organization wanting to partner with us, there are numerous ways to get involved. Together, we can make a lasting impact.

Join us in making a difference.