Center for Civic Leadership (CCL)

Mission and Philosophy

The Center for Civic Leadership (CCL) is a nationally recognized institute for citizen leadership development. Through its many projects, the CCL provides high quality educational programs and initiatives designed to enhance civic leadership capabilities among participants.

The mission of the Center for Civic Leadership is to foster and promote the development of citizens and “civic leaders” who will address and solve community problems. This model of leadership emphasizes collective action through collaboration for the purpose of addressing social needs and injustices. Civic leadership is a contemporary theory that calls for the development of citizen leaders who are committed to making our world a better place.

While civic participation and public service provide a vital and critical role in our democratic and free society, it is the link with leadership that helps shape the decision making process and its outcomes. Beyond service, these citizens identify key issues, raise questions, voice opinions, challenge traditional authority, and take the appropriate actions when necessary. The purpose is to create a new generation of citizens who empower themselves and have the skills and capabilities to act on behalf of the greater good.

Civic Learning and Engagement

The Center for Civic Leadership (CCL) endorses the view that higher education has the responsibility to prepare students to be active and engaged citizens. We further believe that colleges and universities also have a responsibility to have a positive and direct impact in the communities in which they reside. Though our various civic learning and community engagement activities, the Center for Civic Leadership aims to serve this dual purpose.

We define “civic learning and engagement” as educational activities (both academic and cocurricular) that are designed to develop civic knowledge, skills and values resulting in actions that directly benefit the life of a community. By participating in community service, attending a public forum about a community of public issue, participating in a service-learning class, or discussing social and political issues with classmates, FHSU students learn and act on behalf of the greater good.

Honoring Omer Voss

“If you are going to get involved, then you lead. That’s where you can make the biggest difference.” – Omer G. Voss.