Thursday, August 06, 2015

The University of North Carolina Wilmington has been selected as a member of the 2015-16 National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Lead Initiative, which recognizes universities and colleges for commitment to civic learning and democratic engagement.

The Lead Initiative consists of nearly 80 colleges and universities across the country and is supported by the NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, a leading association for the advancement, health and sustainability of the student affairs profession. This is the second year that UNCW has been selected to be a member of the Lead Initiative.

“UNCW is committed as an institution to community engagement, so we are thrilled to be recognized for our efforts and be included as part of an elite group of institutions with similar values,” said Jaime Russell, director of the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement.

As a member of the Lead Initiative, UNCW has committed to work in partnership with constituents across campus, including creating strategies in collaboration with students that increase civic learning and help solve community problems. The initiative will provide UNCW professional development and resources to aid in its continued efforts to make civic learning and democratic engagement a part of the student experience. It also allows UNCW to connect with other institutions that have similar goals.

“As a result, we are constantly learning new approaches to implementing civic learning and democratic engagement strategies which will help our students become engaged global citizens,” Russell said. “It is my hope that this designation inspires members of the UNCW community to work even more collaboratively, across divisions and in new ways, engaging our students with the community.”

To learn more about the Lead Initiative, contact Russell at russelljl@uncw.edu.

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