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Civic Action Academy

Conference Information

The Civic Action Academy brings students from Iowa and Minnesota together, serving as a hub for individuals passionate about making a positive impact in their communities. Sessions offer skill-building in civic action including leadership, dialogue,  advocacy, and more, deepening students’ understanding of how to effectively and collaboratively address social issues. Interacting with peers from different campuses exposes students to a wide range of experiences, ideas, and approaches to civic engagement, giving them the chance to learn from each other, share best practices, and build valuable connections that can support their future endeavors. The Civic Action Academy empowers students to recognize their agency as changemakers and develop the skills needed to affect change in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.

The Civic Action Academy takes place every year on a Friday and Saturday in November at one of our member campuses. While we seek outstanding professional keynotes and community experts to speak, at least half of our conference sessions are presented by students doing civic and community engagement work on their campuses. We encourage students who are looking for a professional development opportunity to practice their presentation, facilitation, and research reporting skills to apply to present. Faculty and staff are invited to nominate student presenters as well.

Save the Date

The 2024 Civic Action Academy will be held at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa November 15-16. Registration will open in the fall of 2024. Please subscribe to our e-newsletter to stay informed of important deadlines.

Introducing our Keynote!

Preliminary Agenda

Friday, November 15

  • 12:00-3:30pm – Student Leader Workshop pre-conference (this is an optional add-on to the conference and requires a separate registration)
  • 3:30-4:00pm – Conference check-in 
  • 4:00-7:00pm – Welcome, opening keynote, dinner

Saturday, November 16

  • 9:00am-4:00pm – Conference sessions

Lodging

There are currently two room blocks reserved at the Super 8 ($87 per night) and Cobblestone Hotel ($142 per night) in Waverly. When calling to make your reservation, please mention the Civic Action Academy in order to receive the rate stated above. Be sure to book your hotel room by October 15.

Questions can be directed to Kara at [email protected].

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Together we are creating community-campus  partnerships, building professional networks, empowering future leaders, and delivering on the public purposes of higher education.

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Seed Coalition strengthens the capacity of colleges and universities to fulfill the public purposes of higher education through its coalition of diverse college campuses in Iowa, Minnesota, and the Midwest. Our network includes rural and urban campuses, public universities and private colleges, community colleges, and trade schools.

We connect higher education professionals who work in the spaces of community and civic engagement and educate students through community and civic learning experiences. Learn about our mission and values and meet our members.

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