In the CLS we believe that civic responsibility starts at home in the way we live and work together in our residential halls, on our campus, in our local communities, regions, nations, and world. In collaboration with our partners across the College, we offer an array of opportunities to build the mindsets, knowledge, and skills necessary to become equity-minded civic agents in just about any community we might find ourselves inhabiting.

Opportunities for Civic Learning abound at Grinnell! Do you want to:

  • Join us on a local “Social Justice Tour” to learn more about our local community’s needs and innovative change-making?
  • Volunteer with a local organization?
  • Take a community engaged class?
  • Collaborate with a community partner on an on-going service project?
  • Participate in or lead a community dialogue?
  • Take part in a workshop with our Social Innovator in Residence?
  • Apply for a Service Leadership Work-Study position?
  • Learn to diagram the systemic underpinnings of an entrenched social or environmental issue?
  • Help your peers register to vote?
  • Collaborate with local activists? or
  • Lead or explore your own distinctive initiative?

You don’t have to do it all, you only need to do what is right for you, right now.

Click on a button above or meet with one of our staff members to learn more about who we are and how we can help you hone your civic aspirations.

News & Advice

Community Engaged Learning: Building Bridges Between Classrooms and Communities

Grinnell College: October 30, 2024

In collaboration with the College’s Office of Civic Education and Innovation, many faculty members have implemented community-engaged aspects into their courses. Community-engaged learning (C-EL) classes were the vision of Wadzanai Motsi-Khatai ’12, who championed a …

By Source and Author Noted Above
Source and Author Noted Above
Read more

Experiential Learning: CLS Support for Site Exploration

While the Center for Careers, Life, and Service (CLS) is not a placement service, we can offer resources and guidance to help you explore, connect with, and navigate potential volunteer, internship, or practicum opportunities that align with your personal or …

Read more

Mentoring Civic Engagement: Guided Reflection Questions

This resource is designed to help mentors and students engage deeply with their civic activities, whether as volunteers, activists, or community collaborators. By reflecting thoughtfully on various stages of engagement (before, during, and after), advisers may guide students toward meaningful, …

Read more

Sidebar

Contact Us

Phone
(641) 269-4940
Address

John Chrystal Center
1103 Park Street
Grinnell, IA 50112

Hours

Monday 8:00am–5:00pm
Tuesday 8:00am–5:00pm
Wednesday 8:00am–5:00pm
Thursday 8:00am–5:00pm
Friday 8:00am–5:00pm
Alumni Connections  |  News  |  Events  |   Experiences  |   Jobs  |   Resources  |   Videos