Civic and Community Engagement Commons^™

In My Moment, The Moment That Stands Out, In My Moment…, Manuel Lopez

CouRaGeouS Cuentos: A Journal of Counternarratives

No abstract provided.

Tortillas, Miles Banda Davila

CouRaGeouS Cuentos: A Journal of Counternarratives

No abstract provided.

Camino A Los Solares De Mi Abuelo, Antonio Barajas

CouRaGeouS Cuentos: A Journal of Counternarratives

No abstract provided.

Untitled, Misael Anguiano

CouRaGeouS Cuentos: A Journal of Counternarratives

No abstract provided.

I Am From, Irma Rodriguez

CouRaGeouS Cuentos: A Journal of Counternarratives

No abstract provided.

Memories Fade, Samuel Nault

CouRaGeouS Cuentos: A Journal of Counternarratives

No abstract provided.

Troje, Erandi Hernández Aguilar

CouRaGeouS Cuentos: A Journal of Counternarratives

No abstract provided.

Front Matter, Courageous Cuentos

CouRaGeouS Cuentos: A Journal of Counternarratives

No abstract provided.

Full Issue, Courageous Cuentos

CouRaGeouS Cuentos: A Journal of Counternarratives

No abstract provided.

The Migrant As A Pilgrim: Decolonising Identity And Belonging, Susan Nemec

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This paper responds to pilgrimage scholar George Greenia’s assertion that meaningful intersections exist between pilgrimage and various forms of displacement, such as migration or involuntary exile due to famine, war, or political unrest. Greenia proposes that vulnerable, displaced individuals might find shelter, both conceptually and emotionally, within the framing of pilgrimage. By extending concepts of pilgrimage, it can be understood as a deliberate and intentional journey, simultaneously emphasising the transformative potential inherent in migratory movement. By adopting a working definition of pilgrimage as ‘any form of travel that is intentional, purposeful, or transformative,’ the paper considers how migrancy, particularly within …

“It’S A Lot More To It Than Just Research”: Integrating Critical Data Literacy And Reasoning With Data Into A Stem Summer Camp, Marc T. Sager, Saki L. Milton, Candace Walkington

Publications

Purpose: This study explores how middle-grade girls from predominantly underrepresented and underserved racially and ethnically minoritized (UUREM) backgrounds developed critical data literacy (CDL) through participation in a week-long residential STEM camp. Given the increasing importance of data science education in a data-driven world, this research examines how informal learning environments can support CDL development among youth from historically marginalized groups.

Design/Methodology/Approach: The study draws on qualitative interview data from eleven participants, and their group-produced artifacts to investigate how the camp experience supported engagement with data and the development of CDL. Interviews explored participants' experiences with data collection, organization, analysis, and …

Community Engagement Newsletter, March 2026, University Of Northern Iowa. Office Of Community Engagement.

Community Engagement Newsletter

Contents:

UNI's Day of Service - April 8, 2026
Service-Learning and Engaged Department Institutes
Inspire Conference
Certified Nonprofit Professional Credential
UNI Engaged Podcast

Positive Youth Development And Connection With Nature Through Urban Agriculture, Casey Ortbahn, Marijke Hecht, Kristi Lekies

Journal of Youth Development

Youth urban agriculture programs connect youth with nature and support positive youth development. In this qualitative study, we use photovoice to amplify youth voices and explore 16 high school youths’ perceptions of how participation in a youth gardening program supported their confidence, connection, and sense of belonging. Using qualitative thematic analysis of photos, posters, and interviews, we identify several program processes that supported confidence and belonging, including meaningful relationships with peers and adults, connections with nature, and relationships with more-than-human beings. Our analysis reveals that nature is an important context for youth development and that nature is also more than …

Launch Skills: Virtual Career Camp Connects Rural Youth To Diverse Career Pathways, Caroline Homan, Meagan Hoffman

Journal of Youth Development

Rural youth often encounter persistent barriers in career and workforce readiness, including limited access to career exploration resources, mentorship, and post-secondary exposure, challenges that are compounded by geographic isolation and higher rates of rural poverty. To address these gaps, this manuscript describes the development and implementation of Launch Skills, a virtual career camp designed to broaden rural youths’ awareness of career pathways within food, agriculture, natural resources management, and human sciences (FANH). Grounded in Positive Youth Development principles, Launch Skills was collaboratively developed by North Dakota State University Extension and South Dakota State University Extension to provide flexible, accessible, and …

Evaluating Youth Programs With Intention: Integrating Developmental Research For A Youth-Centered Approach, Brittany Hite, Tiffany Berry, Evangelia Theodorou, Michelle Sloper

Journal of Youth Development

Conducting applied research or program evaluations in youth settings requires a unique combination of expertise. Although evaluation approaches provide general guidance on how to conduct high-quality evaluations, they rarely provide specific guidance on how to engage in evaluation with organizations serving youth. Fortunately, the field of youth development provides extensive information about how youth develop, facilitators of and influences on youth development, and important considerations for collecting data from this population. This paper provides an approach to evaluation that integrates youth development research. By integrating this literature into their evaluation practice, the authors identified two underlying principles (contextual sensitivity and …

Differences In Student Basic Need Satisfaction Across University Community Service Offerings In Vietnam, Myles Lynch, Nguyen Lam Phuong, Duong Ngoc Anh, Huy Ngoc Vu, Hoang Quang Thang

Journal of Youth Development

In 2018, the Vietnam Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) made experiential learning a mandatory component of general education in an effort to enhance student skills pertaining to career and professional success. Community service, as a form of experiential learning, can enable individuals to apply knowledge and skills to address societal challenges beyond classroom settings. The availability and effectiveness of structured community service-learning programs vary across Vietnamese universities. Using Basic Needs Theory (autonomy, competence, relatedness), a sub-theory of Self-Determination Theory, this study examined differences in Vietnamese student need satisfaction based on availability of community service courses, providing insights into program …

Boosting Agriculture Career Readiness In Stem Through A Virtual Symposium, Suzanna R. Windon, Hosung You, Christina Grozinger, Natalie Boyle, Hongmei Li-Byarlay, Torrence A. Gill, Simon Zebelo

Journal of Youth Development

This study evaluated a recorded virtual career symposium aimed at enhancing STEM in Agriculture and graduate education readiness among students from Minority-Serving Institutions.The evaluation focused on changes in participants’ perceived readiness for STEM careers and graduate education, the relationship between readiness and demographic factors, and participants’ overall experience with the event. Featuring presentations from faculty and alumni, the symposium highlighted career pathways in agriculture and entomology, essential skills, and graduate education opportunities. Participants from five institutions were invited to view the recorded sessions and complete an online survey. Of the 56 responses received, 41 were analyzed. Results indicated that most …

Volume 21.1, Spring 2026

Journal of Youth Development

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Civic Engagement On Filipino Youth During The Pandemic: The Role Of Social Networking Sites For Social Capital Building, Ma. Glenda Wui, Katrina Yuzon, Joane Denise Alliah Axibal, Gel Christian Llames, Enrique Niño P. Leviste

Journal of Youth Development

This study examined the civic engagement of Filipino youth (N=14) volunteers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Anchored in the asset-based framework of Positive Youth Development, the study discussed the critical role of civic engagement in enhancing the well-being of youth during the pandemic. It also analyzed the role of Social Networking Sites (SNS) in building social capital for civic engagement. Through in-depth interviews, the study examined the impact of the participants’ engagement on their lives, and how they confronted challenges related to civic work. Thematic analysis of the interview data yielded four themes: personal challenges during the pandemic, coping with the …

Improving Agent Retention By Documenting The Impact Of 4-H In Kentucky, Ken Culp, Kimberly Ragland, Tori Stanton, Katherine L. Thompson

Journal of Youth Development

The purpose of this study was to improve agent retention by documenting the positive impact that 4-H agents were making by identifying the most effective program delivery methods in Kentucky. This could help agents prioritize their time, emphasizing high-impact activities. Agents indicated that while one year of 4-H makes the greatest impact, 10 years’ membership is ideal. The most impactful delivery methods were clubs and camps. The most important life skills developed in 4-H were communication, leadership, and community service. Club programming includes all highly valued core experiences identified in this study (leadership opportunities, community service, and communication).