The Institute for Civic and Community Engagement (ICCE) has six signature programs providing high quality and meaningful public service, leadership development, and civic engagement opportunities for SF State students across the university. Whether students are interested in long-term internships or one-day volunteering opportunities, ICCE offers the Community Service-Learning (CSL) Program that helps with the coordination of the service-learning courses and university approved community partners. Below is a year-end summary of ICCE’s signature programs and the Community Service-Learning (CSL) opportunities.

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As we have completed one year of the new U.S. Presidential administration, public sentiment has not changed much; that is, while we can’t count the votes that weren’t cast in 2016, hoping for a different outcome, we should all step up and do our part to right the ship. We’ve entered a treacherous wave of injustices, some have existed for decades, others’ are showing up in new forms. Although common terms in the media include corruption, scandal, bigotry, sexism, disruption, anger, elitism, racial tensions (and more), at ICCE we don’t deny the reality, yet we choose to focus on the affirmative. From practicing empathy, staying positive and showing gratitude, to accepting “the only constant in life is change” and supporting others, our vision remains at the forefront of our work. Living amidst global tragedies, based on both human evils and natural disasters, the work of ICCE will endure and shift with the trends. (Read More)

CAD Professor Linda Platas Shines

By Ricky España, ICCE Student Assistant

Linda Platas, assistant professor in the Child and Adolescent Development department, thrives on creating a workforce with a “wider developmental view.” Dr. Platas’ view stems from over a decade of teaching young children, a commitment to supporting all domains in preschool, and a seminal study in 2007 which found that math concepts were predictive of later math skills and reading skills. Dr. Platas recruits students in a variety of ways, including through the METRO Academy and current Pre-CAD and CAD students. She has created a practicum pilot in the CAD department supporting a changing workforce that emphasizes children’s development and learning. She accomplishes this task with the help of three programs, Jumpstart, EDvance, and Preschool Counts. For students interested in CAD, completion of the two-semester practicum provides them with job prospects and an opportunity to apply to the CAD PATH program which supports students as they work in the field, with evening and weekend classes that lead to a CAD B.A. degree. Dr. Platas believes experience is the best teacher and currently teaches two CSL Jumpstart-related courses: CAD 325 “Mentoring Young Children” and CAD 326 “Developing Literacy Skills in Young Children.” She and the CAD department are proposing two more: CAD 220 Early Childhood Principles and Practices and CAD 320 Early Childhood Development and Curriculum, both with 8 CSL hours each week. Fulfilling the objectives in the new ICCE Strategic Plan also means leading students to further job opportunities. As ICCE continues to support programs such as CAD, the level of professional preparation through greater CSL involvement across campus increases.  (Read more about Dr. Platas' work) 

College of Ethnic Studies Selects New Engaged

Faculty Fellow

Congratulations to Dr. Teresa Carrillo, Professor & Chair, Latino/Latina Studies for being selected as the first-ever Engaged Faculty Fellow! This fellowship was developed to support the integration of service-learning and community engagement into faculty development including the three pillars of teaching, research/scholarship, and service. In collaboration with ICCE, Dr. Carrillo will lead and implement various projects related to community-engaged teaching and learning, community-engaged research and/or community outreach and service initiatives across the College of Ethnic Studies. Over the last ten years Dr, Carrillo has developed CSL modules in selected courses in conjunction with local community-based organizations working for the empowerment of the Latino community. She specializes in Latino Politics with an emphasis on immigration and transnational connections in the Americas. She teaches the following four CSL Courses: Raza Immigration (LTNS 470), Latino Politics (LTNS 660), Mexican Politics and Society (LTNS 670), and the Seminar on Women and Gender (LTNS 410). She also teaches a course on globalization (LTNS 445). Additionally, Dr. Carrillo is the faculty advisor for the student publication Coyolxauhqui Re-membered: A Journal of Latina Voices.  She has traveled extensively throughout Mexico and Central America and her teaching and research interests reflect her fascination with Latinos as political actors in a constant interaction with local, national and transnational political forces. At the end of each spring semester, Carrillo leads the Department's Mexico Solidarity Travel/Study tour to Mexico. Funded by DUEAP , this position is currently being piloted for the spring 2018 semester only. Future Engaged Faculty Fellows with Ethnic Studies, or other colleges, are contingent upon additional funding in order to sustain this opportunity across campus.

For CSL presentations or to add a community partner to our service-learning database, please contact Glendie Domingo-Lipar at  [email protected] to schedule for the upcoming spring and summer semesters.

ICCE is now accepting Call to Service grants for 2018. Call to Service grants support SF State faculty and staff in providing service learning and community and civic engagement opportunities to students and in disseminating service learning knowledge, research or findings. The funding is provided through the CSU Chancellor's Office Call to Service Initiative and is available for activities and events to take place during calendar year 2018 (Jan. 1-Dec. 15, 2018).

Proposals will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis until funds are depleted, so the sooner you apply, the better. The final date that proposals will be accepted is Dec. 22, 2017. More information is available on the ICCE website.

New Community Partners

ICCE is committed to expanding our partnerships in the Bay Area and surrounding communities. Our efforts to address community-defined needs are rooted in our mission and deeply ingrained in what we do. This semester, 12 new community organizations have joined our list of University-approved partners.

Please go to www.ulink49.org to find out more about their organization and opportunities they offer.

The ePortfolios at SF State address a current and emerging need for students to have an environment in which they can collect, select, reflect upon, build, and publish a digital archive of their academics. The following ICCE ePortfolios serve multiple purposes within the personal, professional, academic, and service-learning setting. Students use them to showcase achievements and receive feedback and assessment from faculty, peers, and community partners. For more information on how ePortfolios can have the potential to be a unifying High-Impact Practice click here.

The Civic Engagement Fellows assist with programming, recruitment, and outreach efforts with ICCE. The Fellows play an integral role in the development and operations of the Institute. Each Civic Engagement Fellow is also a peer educator responsible for facilitating workshops on a variety of community topics. Fellows are chosen based on their potential and their proven leadership experience, effectiveness in advocating for the community, and potential to contribute to the mission and goals of ICCE. For more student reflections visit our website or follow our story at #iconnectSFSU.

Community Partner Sites - 826 Valencia, Generation Citizen, SF State Dream Resource Center, Hoover Middle School, Frick Impact Academy Middle School.

If you are interested in more information about the program, please contact Jose R. Lopez at   [email protected] or visit our programs online. We are currently hiring students for the next semester.

America Reads tutors are SF State University undergraduate students from various backgrounds and majors who are interested in working with youth. As part of their training, tutors utilize creative and innovative ways to design culturally relevant lesson plans to enhance the reading experience for their assigned students. Over time, tutors develop experience and understanding related to working in urban public schools, while they make connections with teachers, principals, supervisors, and, most rewarding, with their elementary level students. For more student reflections visit our website or follow our story at #iconnectSFSU.

Community Partner Schools - Longfellow E.S., Junipero Serra E.S., Jose Ortega E.S., Lakeshore E.S., Longfellow E.S., Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy, Jose Ortega E.S, El Dorado, John Muir E.S., and SF ED Fund.

If you are interested in more information about the program, please contact Jose R. Lopez at   [email protected] or visit our programs online. We are currently hiring students for the next semester.

The America Counts tutoring program is a federally funded work-study program whereby SF State students are recruited across colleges to tutor youth in K-8 public schools and after-school programs throughout San Francisco. The program focuses on elementary and middle school students who are struggling with their math skills, but tutors may be asked to tutor and facilitate in other areas such as reading, history, sports, etc. For more student reflections visit our website or follow our story at #iconnectSFSU.

Community Partner Schools - Sheridan E.S. Cesar Chavez E.S., Guadalupe E.S., Mission Education Center, Cesar Chavez E.S., Marshall E.S., Lakeshore E.S., James Denman M.S., Lakeshore E.S., Monroe E.S., and Sunnyside E.S.

If you are interested in more information about the program, please contact Jose R. Lopez at   [email protected] or visit our programs online. We are currently hiring students for the next semester.

Picture courtesy of Vice President of University Advancement & President, SF State Foundation, Robert Nava.

On November 23, SF State hosted 25 university presidents from China to discuss advancement and related academic programs. ICCE coordinators presented on the purpose of ICCE at SF State and the Bay Area community. We enjoyed the presentation and dialogue where we discussed how they could advance service-learning and civic engagement in their universities. 

On October 27, ICCE sponsored and led a “CSL 101” workshop for faculty and lecturers across campus to provide details about Community Service Learning (CSL) courses. Staff provided an overview of ICCE programs and offerings, and discussed benefits and values of CSL to students, faculty, SF State as a whole, and community organizations. We talked about service learning outcomes, discussed sample course syllabi and how to incorporate CSL into an existing class, provided information about ICCE Call to Service Grants and other ICCE resources available to faculty. This event was followed by a workshop called “Connecting Faculty with Community Partners through CSL Courses” on Nov 16th. The goal was to discuss how community organizations and SF State faculty work together to provide learning opportunities for students to become the Next Gen of leaders and help solve important social issues. First, a brief presentation about ICCE was shared, then three leaders who represent active community partners were part of a panel discussion. A core component included small group roundtable discussions and model programs for working with community partners, student placements, etc. Participants explored ways that faculty can understand the limitations and possibilities for what community partners can and cannot do and, similarly, how our partners can best work with students and better understand requirements of CSL classes. 

Join us on January 18th at the 2018 Faculty Retreat for the plenary keynote panel (right after lunch!) - Organized by ICCE, an interdisciplinary, dynamic discussion will be moderated by Dr. Nina Roberts, ICCE Faculty Director & Professor of Recreation, Parks, & Tourism. Members of the distinguished panel include Anoshua Chaudhuri, Professor & Chair, Dept of Economics/College of Business (ICCE Advisory Council member); Felix Kury, Lecturer, Latina/Latino Studies, College of Ethnic Studies; Leticia (“Leti”) Marquez-Magana, Professor of Biology & Director of the Health Equity Research Lab; and Eunice Kim, PACE graduate student. Learn how faculty contribute to finding solutions to many of society’s greatest challenges and civically engage students in learning that affirms their social justice values leading to student success. Explore how faculty support students seeking to address important social/environmental justice issues through hands-on experiences, high impact practices, and enhance their sense of civic responsibility through action in the community. And, ICCE is also helping out with Retreat planning by sponsoring the Dessert Social!

Institute for Civic & Community Engagement (ICCE)

San Francisco State University

1600 Holloway Avenue, HSS 206

San Francisco, CA 94132

Email:  [email protected]

Office Main Line:  415-338-6419  | Fax:  415-338-0587