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, 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 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 %
JMC students who participate in community-engaged coursework
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. See course options below.
What does collaboration look like?
Community-engaged courses are offered in the journalism and strategic communication curricula, as well as in the event management, writing, and nonprofit leadership and philanthropy certificates. These 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 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 created multifaceted social media strategies for clients based on resources, marketing timeline, and target audiences.
What are my course options?
The Office of Community Engagement approves select courses for its university-wide community-engaged course (CEC) designation. CEC courses 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.
| 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 |
To view all CEC courses offered during a specific academic session:
- Visit MyUI Courses.
- Select the appropriate semester from the Session menu.
- Under Course Categories, select Community Engaged Course (CEC) from the menu.
Who can help me?
Tamara Ewoldt
Tamara manages the SCRIPT experiential learning program for students majoring in journalism and mass communication.
Heather Spangler
Heather is the primary contact for students who are interested in pursuing coursework in Event Management.
Jenifer Vick
Jenifer is the primary contact for students who are interested in pursuing coursework in Nonprofit Leadership and Philanthropy.
Jan Warren
Jan oversees the University of Iowa CEC designation and Undergraduate Engagement Corps program.