In the Civic Engagement Pathway Program, you will:
- Develop community with a cohort of students who share similar interests.
- Visit a variety of locations and community partners throughout Tacoma on class field trips.
- Gain an understanding of self, identity, positionality, and ethical civic engagement.
- Connect with the Tacoma community through civic opportunities, service-learning, and Loggers in Tacoma activities.
- Engage topics of race, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, etc.
- Attend on- and off-campus lectures and reflection with your cohort.
- Use the Collins Library Markerspace to create artistic, visual representations of your learning and experience.
- Be mentored by older students to support you as you transition to college.
- Apply your learning to a career path through a summer internship following your sophomore year.
- Practice civic discourse.
- Receive a full unit of credit by the time of program completion.
When selected for the Pathway Program, students will automatically be enrolled in the first-year, quarter credit course, Community and the Self (EXLN 106). Cohort students will complete a total of four quarter-credit classes together over their first two years, culminating with the RISE summer internship program at the end of their sophomore year.
Student Experiences
“I felt like it would be a great way for me to become engaged with the broader Tacoma community at the very onset of my college career. Moreover, I thought this would be a good opportunity to meet other people who are interested in social justice and thoughtful civic engagement.” - Maya Horten '22
“I like community organizing and I think identity groups are really important to me in my life; having a space for activism and learning about activism is important.” - Adreanna Thompson-Paschetto, '21
“I would say I learned the most about exploring my biases from where I stand in the world and also exploring my identity more in the class; where I fall in society and how I can improve the way I act in situations of bias and discrimination. I learned about how I can try to help in situations where [bias] is happening." - Tessa Paulson-Palmer, '21
Program Logistics
The Pathway Program spans the first four semesters of a students' time on campus. The first semester, admitted students are automatically enrolled in EXLN 106: Community and the Self which meets twice a week. As a cohort, students participate in a cohort retreat at the beginning of the first two semesters as well as off-campus excursions related to civic engagement and course content. Students will also be connected to community partner organizations to volunteer at once a week. Transportation support can be provided as needed. Through ePortfolio reflections, students will connect course content and off-campus engagement. Through collaboration with the RISE program, students will be helped in developing their resume, cover letters, and interview skills to land a summer internship following their sophomore year.
How to Apply
Eligible incoming first-year students may apply to the Civic Engagement Pathway Program upon completion of their application to attend the University of Puget Sound. Eligible students are students who identify as first-generation college students (students whose parents or guardians did not attend and complete college at a 4-year college) and students from minoritized backgrounds. Incoming first-year students are encouraged to apply here.
