Why Community Engagement?
Community engagement takes on many forms at the University of Iowa and is core to the School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Our students apply media skills learned throughout their academic career to help communities, nonprofits and civic organizations solve economic, environmental, social-cultural, and public health challenges.
The UI Office of Community Engagement defines community engagement as the collaboration between higher education institutions and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in partnership and reciprocity. Community-engaged learning goes beyond direct service (e.g., cleaning up a community garden or tutoring youth) to deepen students' academic and civic learning.
79 %
Participation
JMC graduates who participated in community-engaged coursework (2024-25 UI Senior Exit Survey)
SCRIPT Requirement
Only Community-Engaged Courses (CEC) administered by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, as designated by the Office of Community Engagement, may be used to fulfill the SCRIPT experiential learning requirement for journalism and mass communication majors. These courses typically have a prefix of EVNT, JMC or SMC.
What does collaboration look like?
Community-engaged courses are offered in the journalism, strategic communication, and multimedia production and design curricula as well as in the event management and nonprofit leadership and philanthropy certificates. Projects are designed to foster community engagement skills while meeting course learning outcomes.
- Projects in entry-level classes may focus on best practices in community engagement and power and privilege in community-engaged work.
- Projects in mid-level skills and conceptual classes may focus on communication with community partners and working in teams.
- Projects in capstone classes may focus on project management, strategic planning, professional quality media production in journalism and strategic communication, and community engagement for social change.
Strategic Communications
Students in an advanced strategic communications course developed a communication campaign and an array of resources to help Pathfinders RC&D implement campaign strategies.
Photojournalism
Students in a capstone photojournalism course spent three days in Dubuque capturing businesses, homes and activities related to sustainability and efforts to reduce emissions.
Social Media Marketing
Students in an event management foundations course create multifaceted social media strategies for real-world clients based on resources, marketing timeline, and target audiences.
Videos and Infographics
JMC:3720 Nonprofit Communications
What are my course options?
The Office of Community Engagement approves select courses for its university-wide community-engaged course (CEC) designation each academic year. These courses intentionally integrate community partnerships into course activities, providing students with meaningful experiences that address real-world challenges.
Only CEC-designated courses administered by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication may be used to fulfill the SCRIPT experiential learning requirement for journalism and mass communication majors.
Current course offerings
To view Community-Engaged Courses offered during the current academic session, visit MyUI Courses and select the appropriate Course Category.
Former course offerings
The following SJMC courses have received a CEC designation in past academic sessions.
| Course # | Title |
|---|---|
| EVNT:3154 | Foundations of Event Management |
| EVNT:3160 | Crisis Management |
| EVNT:3165 | Event Marketing |
| EVNT:3180 | Sustainable Events |
| EVNT:3185 | Topics in Event Management |
| EVNT:3260 | Event Management Workshop |
| JMC:3720 | Nonprofit Communications |
| JMC:4315 | Strategic Communication Campaigns |
Who can help me?
Heather Spangler
E346C Adler Journalism Building
heather-spangler@uiowa.edu
319-335-3389
Heather is the primary contact for students who are interested in pursuing coursework in Event Management.
Jenifer Vick
E322 Adler Journalism Building
jenifer-vick@uiowa.edu
319-467-3092
Jenifer is the primary contact for students who are interested in pursuing coursework in Nonprofit Leadership and Philanthropy.
Jan Warren
2999 University Capitol Centre
jan-warren@uiowa.edu
Jan works in the Office of Community Engagement and oversees the Community Engaged Course (CEC) designation.