Coaching Builds
Civic Involvement and Leadership
Civic involvement doesn’t just improve the community at large, it also benefits those who get involved. A Promising Connection: Increasing College Access and Student Success through Civic Engagement, by Campus Compact, illustrates a significant, reciprocal connection between student success and civic engagement. As the report notes:
“College students who participate in civic engagement activities not only earn higher grade point averages but also have higher retention rates and are more likely to complete their college degree.
They also demonstrate improved academic content knowledge, critical thinking skills, written and verbal communication, and leadership skills.
These students show increased interest in becoming personally and professionally involved in future community enhancement projects.”
As Zillennials (a micro-generation between Gen Z and Millennials) are leading the Great Resignation from jobs they find meaningless, they are seeking connection, purpose and voice. Helping college students see their way through difficulty by understanding their civic and leadership options is inspiring, hopeful and proactive.
Coaching in general dovetails with this work as a key driver of engagement*. It provides two distinct and powerful opportunities to increase civic involvement:
- A coach can use questions to illuminate civic issues that interest a student and highlight opportunities to engage.
- Coaching conversations and partnerships increase student agency and empowerment, making it more likely that a student will take advantage of interesting and meaningful civic engagement opportunities.
Exercise your right to vote today – and help create the leaders of tomorrow through coaching.
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