Why community engagement?
Make lasting change.
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, and social-cultural challenges. The Office of Community Engagement defines community engagement as the collaboration between higher education institutions and their larger communities for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in partnership and reciprocity.
79 %
JMC students who participate in CEC coursework
"The Undergraduate Engagement Corp taught me countless different concepts about community engagement. Thanks to my teachers, I learned that communication, creativity, and open mindfulness can lead to amazing collaborations benefiting the community as a whole."
SCRIPT requirement
Courses designated as Community Engaged Course (CEC) by the Office of Community Engagement and administered by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, as well as the Undergraduate Engagement Corps, may be used to fulfill the SCRIPT experiential learning requirement for students in the major. Browse course options.
What does collaboration look like?
Community-engaged courses intentionally integrate community partnerships into course activities, providing students with meaningful experiences that address real-world challenges.
- Entry-level classes may focus on best practices in community engagement, including power and privilege in community-engaged work.
- Mid-level skills classes may focus on communication with community partners and working in teams.
- Capstone classes may focus on project management, strategic planning, professional quality media production, and community engagement for social change.
Strategic communications
Students in a strategic communications course developed a communication campaign and an array of resources to help Pathfinders RC&D implement campaign strategies.
Photojournalism
Students in a 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 course created multifaceted social media strategies for clients based on resources, marketing timeline, and target audiences.
Explore community engagement opportunities across campus
What are my course options?
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CSI:1214:0001 | Undergraduate Engagement Corps | 1 |
| EVNT:2200 | Foundations of Event Management | 3 |
| EVNT:3160 | Crisis Management | 3 |
| EVNT:3165 | Event Marketing | 3 |
| EVNT:3170 | Venue Management | 3 |
| EVNT:3180 | Sustainable Events | 3 |
| EVNT:3185 | Topics in Event Management | 3 |
| EVNT:3260 | Event Management Workshop | 3 |
| JMC:2500 | Community Media | 3 |
| JMC:3720 | Nonprofit Communications | 3 |
| JMC:4315 | Strategic Communication Campaigns | 3 |
| WRIT:2100 | Writing and Community Outreach | 3 |
How do I find more courses?
The Office of Community Engagement approves select courses for its university-wide CEC designation. To find community-engaged courses offered during a specific academic session:
- Visit MyUI.
- Select your term from the Session menu.
- Under the Course Categories menu, select Community Engaged Course (CEC).
Who can help me?
Tamara Ewoldt
Tamara helps students navigate the SCRIPT experiential learning requirement.
Heather Spangler
Heather helps students pursuing coursework in event management.
Jenifer Vick
Jenifer helps students pursuing coursework in nonprofit leadership and philanthropy.
Jan Warren
Jan coordinates the Undergraduate Engagement Corps and CEC designation.