Preparing Informed and Engaged Citizens

From Mark Gempler, Student Center:

InJune, Keene State sent a delegation of nine faculty and administrators to the National Meeting of the American Democracy Project (ADP) in Baltimore.

ADP is a multi-campus initiative focused on higher education’s role in preparing the next generation of informed, engaged citizens for our democracy. The project began in 2003 as an initiative of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), in partnership with the New York Times. The goal of the ADP is to produce graduates who are committed to being active, involved citizens in their communities. Keene State is a participant in an ADP pilot program called America’s Future, which focuses on the issues of national debt, social security, and Medicare and their impact on America’s future.

Pat Dolenc (Economics) and Wes Martin (Political Science) presented papers on pedagogical issues that arise when teaching political and economic citizenship across disciplines. Ann Atkinson (Communications), Mike Caufield (CELT), Mark Gempler (Student Center), Anne-Marie Mallon (English and Women’s Studies), Mary McEntee (Student Center/Community Service), Anne Miller (Academic Affairs), and Melinda Treadwell (Professional Studies) surveyed the varied ways that 230 colleges and universities are developing opportunities for students to engage academic and community concerns concurrently.

KSC’s delegation to the ADP conference is now investigating ways that interested members of the college community can integrate educational experiences across disciplines and across the co-curriculum.