What is Civic Engagement?
Civic engagement is the commitment to participate in and contribute to formal and informal social, legal, and administrative processes for positive social impact. Positively impacting social inequities is achieved through collective critical dialogue, deliberation, problem solving, decision making, and informed action to address and positively impact social inequities.
CCE Mission
The Center for Civic Engagement bridges scholarship and action by providing immersive, experiential learning opportunities, and holistic leadership skills development, innovative practice and social justice frameworks. Our students gain a holistic understanding of community needs while advocating and leading change for positive societal outcomes.
About the Center
The Center for Civic Engagement at Drew University was established in 2008 to infuse civic engagement as a value and practice throughout the university. The Center connects community-focused, experiential education across all of Drew’s Schools, while also strengthening student-led community engagement outside the classroom. Through our commitment to participating in and contributing to formal and informal social, legal, and administrative processes to address and positively impact social inequities, we foster experiences that build skills to facilitate collective critical dialogue, deliberation, problem solving/decision making, and informed strategies and action. We believe that higher education has a responsibility to not only produce researchers and scholars, but changemakers. Drew meets this responsibility through integrated and collaborative programs connecting the University’s educational mission of action for the public good. The CCE’s interdisciplinary approach to education bridges curricular and co-curricular methodology and practice to cultivate holistic leadership and actualize responsive global citizenship through informed, intentional, imaginative strategy and action for positive social impact.
Our Values
Reflection: Civic engagement encourages individuals to examine the connections between self and others with the life/condition of their communities through mindfulness, personal stories, practical experiences, historical and cultural context, and the relationship to political, economic, environmental, and social impact.
Respect: Civic engagement cannot thrive without honoring the great value and worth of our world, nature, and all its inhabitants. We show honor through our commitment to the practice of humanity, integrity, and trust as the foundation of respect for all.
Reciprocity: Civic engagement is reciprocal as it cultivates access to mutually beneficial resources and relationships that address and positively impact social inequities, informed by the needs and goals of all participants.
Responsibility: Civic responsibility is commitment to the process of participating and contributing to the work of collaborating, problem solving, organizing, strategizing, and decision making to achieve specific goals identified by community/public input that inform strategy and action to address and positively impact social inequities.
Impact: The CCE’s commitment to civic engagement drives our intentional collaboration with partners and a spectrum of projects and initiatives to cultivate reciprocal benefits that make a positive difference in the lives and well-being of all participants. Civic engagement must be constituent-led to positively impact social inequities.
National and Regional Partners
The Center for Civic Engagement supports teaching, research, scholarship, art, and other university-based activities that benefit communities. Working collaboratively with community organizations and other institutions, we develop sustainable partnerships that can help both Drew and its partners meet their goals. In keeping with this priority, the Center has developed some key partnerships with the potential to achieve significant gains in addressing community needs and building community assets.
NEW JERSEY CAMPUS COMPACT
New Jersey has joined 33 other states in forming a state affiliate of Campus Compact, a national organization dedicated to furthering the civic mission of higher education. The presidents and chancellors of 17 NJ colleges and universities have joined the new organization, New Jersey Campus Compact (NJCC), which seeks to have a demonstrable impact on pressing issues facing the state and its communities.
The NJ Campus Compact member institutions include Bergen Community College, Berkeley College, Brookdale Community College, Drew University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Georgian Court University, Monmouth University, Montclair State University, New Jersey City University, Princeton University, Ramapo College, Raritan Valley Community College, Richard Stockton College, Rutgers-Newark, Union County College, University of Medicine and Dentistry and William Paterson University.
PROJECT PERICLES
Drew University is honored to be a member of Project Pericles, a consortium of 30 colleges and universities committed to incorporating civic engagement into their core educational mission. Project Pericles is a not-for-profit organization that encourages and facilitates commitments by colleges and universities to include education for social responsibility and participatory citizenship as an essential part of their educational programs, in the classroom, on the campus, and in the community.
This learning experience is intended to provide students with a foundation for social and civic involvement and a conviction that democratic institutions and processes offer each person the best opportunity to improve the condition of society.
CARNEGIE FOUNDATION COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CLASSIFICATION
Drew University’s deep commitment to civic and community engagement has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, which listed Drew among 240 colleges and universities to receive its coveted Community Engagement Classification in 2015. The classification follows a rigorous process that involved a 60-page application listing not only the ways Drew students in all three colleges and faculty and staff engage with the outside world, but also the ways that the university has built bridges with the borough of Madison, non-profit organizations, and other communities.
Our Staff
Sean Hewitt, Director, Center for Civic Engagement
(973) 408-3069 | [email protected]
Sean joined Drew’s Center of Civic Engagement in January of 2022 as Assistant Director. He is now the Director of the Center for Civic Engagement. In his role at the Center, he supports the Drew Action Scholars and Civic Scholars Programs, as well as Civic Engagement events, Immersive Experiences, student civic projects, and community partnerships. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and his Master’s in Public Administration; currently, he is completing a Master of Social Work degree. Sean is an experienced nonprofit director, mentor, and community advocate. In addition to over fifteen (15) years of nonprofit management experience, Sean has led workshops on youth leadership, ethics, cultural competency, wellness, and community engagement in both university and industry settings. Sean’s advocacy work extends to collaborating with public and private sector agencies, as well as healthcare providers, to support underrepresented youth and families.
Mecca K. Madyun, Faculty Director of Civically Engaged Teaching & Learning Assistant, Professor of Civic Engagement
Madyun is a passionate advocate for humanity in all its forms. With a profound appreciation for the intricacies of the human experience – the flaws, the potential, and everything in between – she has dedicated her life to the principles of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Access (EDIA). This commitment to EDIA permeates every facet of her life, from raising her children and co-parenting to her professional endeavors in dance and arts administration. Central to Madyun’s approach is the emphasis on personal and cultural identity, cultivating awareness practices and the authentic self, and harnessing the power of arts engagement to bridge divides. Through her work in EDIA consulting, arts administration, dance education, and both creative and professional development, she endeavors to nurture the discovery of one’s authentic self. Madyun firmly believes that individuals reach their peak potential when they are true to themselves in every aspect of life. This philosophy shapes her approach, emphasizing trust-building, vulnerability, open dialogue, creativity, and empathy. In her view, these principles are the foundation for holistic personal and interpersonal relationships, collaboration, and mobilization. Madyun thrives in guiding others on their journey to self-discovery, supporting their cultivation of personal awareness practices. Such practices, she believes, empower individuals to recognize their roles in anti-oppression efforts, drawing connections between private and public realms – from homes and communities to workplaces and broader society. Madyun champions that forging healthy, diverse, and equitable relationships in these spaces is essential for success. With over two decades of experience, Madyun’s expertise spans a broad spectrum. Mecca received a BA from University of Pennsylvania in Fine Arts (Graphic Design) and a BFA from University of Colorado Boulder in Dance and Somatics (Body Mind Centering Certificate). From dance education administration, design, and instruction with Brooklyn Academy of Music (2019-2023) to EDIA facilitation and consulting, Mecca has procured a diverse list of clients such ranging from government agencies to cultural institutions to community based organizations and communities, supporting holistic cultural shifts. She excels in holistic, EDIA-centric curriculum development and responsive education practices, community and interpersonal relationship building, strategic planning, program management, restorative practices, service leadership, and effective communication practices. Her skills further extend to grant writing, budget management, event planning, and artist consultation, to name a few. As Madyun continues her journey at Drew as Faculty Director of Civically Engaged Teaching & Learning at the Center for Civic Engagement and tenure track Assistant Professor of Civic Engagement, she eagerly anticipates building, expanding, and deepening community, partnerships, curriculum, Drew Action Scholars Program, and her research framing the interdependence of EDIA and Civic Engagement work as foundational to holistic collective changemaking.
Student Staff
Angelae Wunderle, Hepburn Civic Engagement Fellow
Ange is a senior Action Scholar at Drew majoring in Mathematics with minors in French, Dance, and Teaching. Throughout her four years, Ange has been greatly involved in civic engagement, especially through Volunteer without Borders (VWB) a student-run organization focused on providing non-disruptive alternative Winter, Spring, and Summer break trips to Drew students.
After the requirements of the two-year Action Scholars program ended, Ange wanted to stay involved and connected with the CCE. In her Junior year, she was an Action Scholar Mentor and is currently the Mary Hepburn Civic Engagement Fellow. This opportunity has allowed her to deepen her connection with Drew’s civic engagement opportunities both on and off campus, something she is extremely grateful for. In addition to her work with the CCE, Ange is actively involved in the dance department on campus and is the secretary of the Rangerettes Dance Team. She also works in Admissions and as a peer tutor at the Center for Academic Excellence. After graduation, Ange plans to continue her education and receive her Master of Arts in Teaching.
Eniyah Garner, MVAC Cadet Program Coordinator
Eniyah is a junior Action Scholar at Drew University studying Biology with a minor in Public Health. Eniyah became a Nationally certified EMT in 2020 before joining MVAC as a member in 2022. Eniyah took over as the coordinator of the MVAC cadet program in 2023. Her roles include advertising, coordinating with MVAC for training and scheduling, and overseeing the Cadets throughout the semester.
In addition, Eniyah works as a beach EMT and lifeguard in the summer, is a member of Drew University’s field hockey and lacrosse teams, is the Vice-President of Drew’s Empowerment in STEM club, and is a member of McKittrick’s research lab where she studies neurophysiology. After graduation, Eniyah plans to continue her education in dental school.
Eden Linton, Media and Communications Student Assistant
Eden is a 3rd year action scholar, Known around the center as the “man of many talents”. Eden is a Media and Communications major and Photography minor. He tends to wear many hats on campus, Working with the Communications team, Launch team and The Art department while volunteering anywhere that he can. Eden has a wide range of talents that he uses to help serve the community. Eden is an integral member to the CCE team.
Benjamin Chomon-Collins, Social Media, Marketing, and Events Student Assistant
Ben is a sophomore Action Scholar (C’25) from San Francisco, California, and is majoring in Media & Communications while minoring in Italian Studies. He joined the Center for Civic Engagement staff in the Spring of 2022, where he now helps manage CCE’s Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, as well as photograph events put on by CCE and assist with marketing.
