Tag: Community Engagement

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Office of General Education University Foundations

Community Engagement and Civic & Individual Ethics-tagged Courses Offered through University Foundations

The Department of University Foundations, in collaboration with the Office of General Education, has saved a limited number of seats for seniors missing their Community Engagement or Civic and Individual Ethics Proficiencies & Experiences.  Here are five course-based options available for students seeking to fulfill their Community Engagement and Civic & Individual Ethics Proficiencies & Experiences.

1 Credit-hour Offering:

UNIV 1103 – Building Bridges: The Ethics of Service – Seats available to all students
Common Curriculum: Community Engagement
Summary: This course introduces students to the ethical complexities of serving others across cultural, socioeconomic, and ideological differences. Through readings, case studies, and 10 hours of community service, students explore how justice, empathy, identity, and power shape meaningful service. UNIV 1103 includes a lecture and field studies component, with off-site service experiences scheduled 3–4 times during the semester.

 

3 Credit-hour Offerings:

 

UNIV 2349 – Improve Your MEIQ: Mustang Emotional Intelligence Seats available to all students

Common Curriculum tags: Civic & Individual Ethics

Summary: This course introduces the field of psychology, with emphasis on how people deal with the problems and challenges of everyday life. Students learn about classical and contemporary theories, recent research, and applications of the science of psychology to everyday situations.

 

UNIV 3305 – Personal Responsibility and Community – Restricted to Graduating Seniors missing both CE and CIE.  All students are eligible for the waitlist.

Common Curriculum tags: Community Engagement; Civic & Individual Ethics; Oral Communication
Summary: UNIV 3305 invites students to reflect on their values, beliefs, and identities while examining how these shape their engagement with communities. Through a semester-long community project, reflective journaling, case studies, and cultural immersion experiences, students develop a deeper understanding of personal responsibility and ethical service within the Dallas community.

 

UNIV 3306 – Community Partners – Seats available to all students

Common Curriculum tags: Community Engagement

Summary: UNIV 3306 connects academic learning with hands-on community engagement in the Dallas area. Through service-learning projects aligned with their academic interests, students apply classroom concepts to real-world challenges while developing skills in critical thinking, communication, cultural competence, and civic responsibility. Working alongside diverse community partners, students deepen their understanding of social justice, ethics, and collaborative approaches to community development.

 

UNIV 3307 – Change Makers: Exploring Social Justice in Civic Leadership – Restricted to Graduating Seniors missing both CE and CIE.  All students eligible for the waitlist.
Common Curriculum tags: Community Engagement; Civic & Individual Ethics; Global Perspectives
Summary: This course explores how identity, power, and community influence civic life in the U.S. and globally. Students study leadership, migration, social movements, and resilience across regions such as Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Through community engagement, guest speakers, and site visits, students strengthen skills in ethical reasoning, collaboration, and civic leadership.

These UNIV courses were designed with first-year students, transfer students, and graduating seniors in mind, but they are often open to anyone interested in the topics. The complete list of UNIV courses and their full descriptions can be found in the University course catalog. For more information about the UNIV program visit their website.

 

 

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Office of General Education Student Academic Engagement & Success

Spring 2026 Common Curriculum Reading schedule announced

Common Curriculum Reading students at a community service event
Common Curriculum Reading students at a community service event

The Common Curriculum Reading (CCR) is a pre-approved, co-curricular activity that allows students to join a reading group for a semester to earn their Civic & Individual Ethics (CIE) Proficiency and Experience (P&E). This year, students can opt into a track that also allows them to earn their Community Engagement (CE) P&E through a partnership with Engage Dallas.

The book selection for spring 2026 is Infectious Generosity by Chris Anderson. In this book, Anderson discusses the ethics behind being generous to one another to improve civic life. He also overviews free and low-cost ways one can be generous and engage with their community.

The Office of General Education (OGE) has finalized the spring 2026 dates for the CCR and is seeking two staff or faculty members to help facilitate the reading sessions. The tentative dates are as follows:

  • February 3
  • February 17
  • March 3
  • March 10
  • March 24
  • April 7
  • April 21

Participating staff/faculty members must read the book and attend all seven reading meetings to guide their small groups through discussions. Those in the division of Student Academic Engagement and Success (SAES) can also earn comp time for participating in the CCR. Participating facilitators are provided all discussion guides and are not required to proctor or grade assessments.

OGE will begin recruiting students for the spring session before Thanksgiving break. Any students, staff, or faculty who are interested in participating in the CCR can email gened@smu.edu for more information.

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Office of General Education Student Academic Engagement & Success

Join the DCII Community-Engaged Teaching & Learning Research Cluster Book Club and Research Study

Join the Community-Engaged Research, Teaching, and Learning Research Cluster of the Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute (DCII) as we explore community engagement in higher education through a faculty and staff book club and an accompanying research study.

Faculty and Staff Book Club

Join us for our book club, which will center on two core texts:

  • Teaching Community: A Pedagogy of Hope by bell hooks and
  • Educating for Citizenship and Social Justice: Practices for Community Engagement at Research Universities, edited by Tania D. Mitchell and Krista M. Soria.

Together, these works invite meaningful conversations about systemic inequities, ethical university-community partnerships, and how teaching and learning can foster civic responsibility and social change.

All faculty and staff are welcome to join. Books will be provided and can be picked up from the Office of General Education, Laura Lee Blanton Building, Suite 338. Participants will receive the four-meeting reading schedule upon registration. The first meeting will take place on November 17, from 12:00pm – 1:00pm.

Register Now

Call for Research Participants

We also invite faculty, staff, and students to participate in a research study exploring experiences, opportunities, and challenges related to community-engaged teaching, learning, and research at SMU.

Your insights, shared through a confidential 45–60 minute interview, will help shape a deeper understanding of how institutional culture and values influence community engagement at SMU. Interviews will occur in November 2025.

Sign Up Now

If you have questions about the DCII Community-Engaged Teaching & Learning Research Cluster, please contact Dr. Dustin Grabsch at dgrabsch@smu.edu.

SMU IRB# 25-106

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Office of General Education

Last Chance! Registration closes Oct 24 for the Place-based Community Engagement Symposium

The 4th Annual Engage Dallas Place-Based Community Engagement Symposium is taking place on November 5–6, and we’d love for you to be there! Registration is free and open to all through the button below.

We can’t wait to gather with community leaders, educators, students, and neighbors from across DFW for two days of meaningful learning and engagement.

RSVP Today!

The RSVP deadline is October 24, 2025, so don’t miss this community-based professional development opportunity.

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Office of General Education

Reminder: #1Day4Dallas Residential Commons Fall Day of Service scheduled for October 25

Come join the Office of General Education at Engage Dallas’ fall day of service called #1Day4Dallas. 

On Saturday, October 25th, 2025, Engage Dallas is hosting our 5th annual day of service, where students, faculty, and staff can serve alongside our community partners.

Students can earn 4 hours of direct service towards their Common Curriculum Community Engagement Proficiency and Experience graduation requirement. The day will also include meals, transportation, and giveaways!

Register here to join us for this fall day of service. Please share this opportunity with your students!

Categories
Office of General Education Student Academic Engagement & Success

Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 graduating students encouraged to complete their Community Engagement and Civic & Individual Ethics Proficiencies & Experiences

The Office of General Education would like to share efforts being made to encourage Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 graduating students to complete their Community Engagement and Civic & Individual Ethics Proficiencies & Experiences.

The following message was shared on Wednesday, September 3, with the identified 508 undergraduate students.

——————-

From: Office of General Education (gened@smu.edu)

To: Graduating Seniors who have not fulfilled CE

Subject Line: You’re Missing Your Community Engagement and/or Civic and Individual Ethics Proficiency & Experience for Graduation: Complete them with Engage Dallas or Alternative Breaks

Hello Seniors,

Our records indicate that you are graduating in December 2025 or May 2026 and still need to fulfill your Community Engagement and/or Civic and Individual Ethics Proficiency & Experience to graduate.

The Office of General Education, in collaboration with the Division of Student Affairs– Residence Life and Student Housing & Social Change and Intercultural Engagement, would like to share opportunities to fulfill your Community Engagement (CE) and/or Civics & Individual Ethics (CIE) Proficiency & Experience with our co-curricular program offerings.

Non-course-based options to consider:

Engage Dallas is a community engagement initiative through SMU’s Residential Commons, dedicated to addressing needs in South and West Dallas. This long-term, student-led program partners with residents, organizations, and leaders to create a positive impact. Free and open for new members anytime, students can volunteer to serve in small groups or individually, based on their schedules. Learn more and join by visiting smu.edu/engagedallas or accessing the Engage Dallas course on your Canvas dashboard. Engage Dallas can fulfill CE, CIE, or both Proficiency & Experience requirements. If you have any questions about involvement, email engagedallas@smu.edu.

Alternative Breaks is an immersive week of hands-on service, leadership, and relationship building supplemented with education and reflection. Each trip takes place over spring break and focuses on a particular social issue, and immersion in that issue begins long before the trip itself. Students educate themselves and each other, then do hands-on work with relevant organizations. It qualifies for the CE Proficiency & Experience upon completion.  If you have any questions about involvement, email Danielle Palomo dpalomo@smu.edu.

Why Participate?

These programs provide a unique way to fulfill your CE and CIE requirements outside the classroom, all while building leadership skills, forming lasting connections, and making a difference in the community. For more information on Proficiencies & Experiences, click here.

We encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities and look forward to seeing you continue to grow and contribute to positive change.

Brittaney Wilson, M.A.

General Education and Academic Appeals Coordinator

Office of General Education

214.768.6248 | brittaneyw@smu.edu | Laura Lee Blanton, Suite 338

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Academic Center for Excellence Academic Skill Development Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center First-Generation Initiative Rotunda Scholars Student Academic Engagement & Success Student Success & Retention Tutoring University Advising Center Writing Center

First-Generation Initiative featured in SMU News

graduate standing in front of mustang sign

Navigating college as a first-generation student takes determination, perseverance, and resilience. For Alexa Saucedo, that journey at SMU was filled with challenges, but also growth, connection, and success.

Through the support of the First-Generation Initiative and her own perseverance, Alexa adapted and learned how to navigate an unfamiliar world while creating new opportunities for herself. Her story shows the power of community and the impact of support and resources that are dedicated to first-gen success.

Read more about Alexa’s journey and how SMU supports trailblazers like her: https://www.smu.edu/news/latest/first-gen-student-initiative

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Office of General Education Student Academic Engagement & Success

#1Day4Dallas Residential Commons Fall Day of Service scheduled for October 25

Come join the Office of General Education at Engage Dallas’ fall day of service called #1Day4Dallas. 

On Saturday, October 25th, 2025, Engage Dallas is hosting our 5th annual day of service, where students, faculty, and staff can serve alongside our community partners.

Students can earn 4 hours of direct service towards their Common Curriculum Community Engagement Proficiency and Experience graduation requirement. The day will also include meals, transportation, and giveaways!

Register here to join us for this fall day of service.

Categories
Office of General Education Student Academic Engagement & Success

The Office of General Education seeks Common Curriculum Reading facilitator

The Office of General Education is currently seeking one facilitator for the Common Curriculum Reading (CCR) for the upcoming Fall 2025 semester.

The CCR is a pre-approved activity done in the co-curricular that allows students to obtain their Civic & Individual Ethics (CIE) and Community Engagement Proficiency and Experience (P&E), two Common Curriculum (CC) requirements. Students who join the CCR are required to attend seven reading group meetings, during which they discuss assigned readings with SMU staff/faculty facilitators and complete two assessments.

The book selection for the 2025-2026 academic year is Chris Anderson’s Infectious Generosity. In this book, Anderson examines the ethics of generosity and how society can cultivate a culture of giving rather than one of taking.

We are seeking one facilitator to lead the afternoon session (4pm-5:30pm). Participating facilitators will commit to the following: 

  • Attending all reading group meetings on the following dates
    • September 16
    • September 30
    • October 14
    • October 28
    • November 11
    • November 18
    • December 2
  • Help guide discussions for their reading group, comprised of 6-10 students. Facilitators are provided with the book and discussion guide in advance.

Facilitators within SAES who complete their commitment will be offered two days of comp time, which they will be responsible for coordinating with their direct supervisor’s approval. Prospective facilitators can learn more about the commitment and sign-up via Qualtrics.

Staff or faculty interested in facilitating or with additional questions about the commitment can email the CCR coordinator, Melina Padron, at melinap@smu.edu.

Categories
Office of General Education Student Academic Engagement & Success

The Office of General Education completes the first year of the Common Curriculum Reading and looks toward 2025-2026

In the 2024-2025 academic year, the Office of General Education launched the Common Curriculum Reading (CCR). The CCR is a pre-approved activity done in the co-curricular that allows students to obtain their Civic & Individual Ethics (CIE) Proficiency and Experience (P&E), a Common Curriculum (CC) requirement.

Students who join the CCR are required to attend seven reading group meetings, during which they discuss assigned readings with SMU staff/faculty facilitators and complete two assessments. This year, students read Meredith Broussard’s Artificial Unintelligence, in which she discusses the ethics of AI and the growing belief that it can solve societal issues.

77 students completed the program in the 2024-2025 academic year and received their CIE P&E. Students provided positive feedback about the program, stating they appreciated the following:

  • That it was a program offered at no cost to students
  • The flexibility of meeting bi-weekly as opposed to weekly
  • Building friendships with peers they wouldn’t have met otherwise

The Office of General Education will continue the CCR in the 2025-2026 academic year. The book selection is Chris Anderson’s Infectious Generosity, which encourages society to engage in their community and discusses the ethics behind being selfless.

The CCR has also built partnerships with the following:

Students can sign-up for the program via Qualtrics. The Office of General Education is also seeking SAES staff or faculty facilitators for the upcoming Fall 2025 semester.

Facilitators who complete their commitment will be offered two days of extra comp time, which they will be responsible for coordinating with their direct supervisor. Prospective facilitators can learn more about the commitment and sign-up via Qualtrics.

The Office of General Education is excited to expand and continue the CCR as we move into the 2025-2025 academic year.