Tools for civic engagement: Alternate Fall Break takes students to state capitol

How can students be democratically engaged aside from voting?

Centre College’s Office of Civic and Community Engagement (OCCE) has been tackling that question and more this year in a new program: the Citizen Power Tools Series. Most recently, students interested in the series spent their Fall Break at the Kentucky capitol, meeting with elected officials and supporting local non-profit agencies.

“The trip focused on demystifying meetings with elected officials and learning about the role non-profits play in improving society and shaping public policy,” said Nathan Whitlock, assistant director of the OCCE and Bonner Program. 

For Sumit Sah, a student from Nepal and double major in economics & finance and data science, the experience was one he was eager to participate in.

“Civic engagement is a great way to connect with others of different backgrounds to hear and learn from their life experiences,” said Sah, class of 2028. “In  our experiences with Kentucky elected officials and community volunteering, I was able to learn about Kentucky and how I fit into its community.”

Whitlock noted that the Citizen Power Tools Series has taken students across the state, from flood relief in Eastern Kentucky to supporting anti-hunger initiatives in Louisville. 

Senior Alli Barrows, a civic engagement intern with the OCCE, noted that the trip was a valuable experience for students who were looking for a service opportunity in the community.

Two stops on the visit included the offices of Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman ’04 and Secretary of State Michael Adams were, allowing students an inside look at the democratic process at the state level.

“Civic engagement, to me, means the active participation and commitment to promote social justice, equity and democracy,” Barrows said. “I feel that through civic engagement — voting, advocating and educating — I’m able to enact change. Additionally, having the opportunity to meet with the lieutenant governor and secretary of state and learn about their roles was interesting.”

“These trips are really fun and make it easy for students to build stronger relationships with one another, but they are also intentionally designed to be educational and connect to larger ideas — this year, it’s democratic engagement,” Whitlock said. 

“This trip and the Citizen Power Tools Series idea are about expanding the definition of democratic engagement beyond just voting, we also have been able to include more students in the conversation about democracy. This is evidenced by the fact that so many students who participated in the trip to Frankfort were international students.”

The alternate fall break trip is just another example of the immersive Centre College experience, Whitlock said. Jessica Leonard, associate director of international student services, also helped lead students on the trip, made possible through Volunteer Generation Grant funding from EngageKY, an organization that supports civic engagement and democratic renewal through its diverse network of colleges and universities. Alongside the trip to the state capitol, students supported the local “Yes Arts!” nonprofit organization, helping paint a mural for the city of Frankfort. Other stops — including Rebecca Ruth Chocolate Shop and the Josephine Sculpture Park — rounded out the trip.

“Thanks to EngageKY, Centre can strengthen its culture of service and volunteerism, while providing a meaningful and educational experience to students,” Whitlock said.