November 13-14 at Wartburg College
Seed Coalition’s Civic Action Academy is the
only regional student gathering dedicated to
civic and community engagement.
Civic Action Academy Overview
Social change doesn’t have to be revolutionary—it can start with small steps to make your corner of the world a little better. The Civic Action Academy is a gathering where students explore how their unique skills can address community needs, inspiring them to turn “someone should do something” into “I can do this.”
[The Civic Action Academy] was a great mix of inspirational advice with specific ideas and tools to use. I appreciated hearing from people who have different backgrounds and experiences… This experience empowered and inspired me to take action on my own campus using resources and ideas I gained at the event.
Participant
What will your experience look like?
Connect with other students
- Fun, low-pressure activities and meaningful conversations
- Meet students who care about their communities and want to make an impact
- Learn from peers’ lived experiences and perspectives
Build Civic Skills
You’ll develop practical skills that help people work together to improve their communities, like:
- Collaboration and leadership
- Dialogue and communication across differences
- Advocacy, organizing, and engaging decision-makers
- Using evidence to inform action
- Finding your voice and sense of agency
Leave feeling energized and ready
Past student participants say the gathering is eye-opening, empowering, and inspiring. You’ll walk away with new ideas, new connections, and clear next steps for making a positive impact.
Student Facilitators
In addition to professional keynotes and community experts, at least half of our breakout sessions are facilitated by students doing civic and community engagement work on their campuses. Typically, students apply because a campus mentor encourages them to. We invite faculty and staff to refer students any time of the year, and we will connect with them to help develop their ideas for the coming year.
2026 Event Information
Important Resources
Student speaker nomination + application
Funding resource: This resource includes event information, rationale, and budget items to help students who wish to request funding from their school or outside sources.
Online Registration coming this summer!
Event schedule: The event will begin Friday, November 13 at 5pm and end Saturday, November 14 at 4pm. A more detailed agenda will be shared this summer.
Pricing
- Through October 9 – $75 for Seed Coalition member campuses ($250 for non-member campuses)
- After October 9 – $125 for Seed Coalition member campuses ($350 for non-member campuses)
- Staff/faculty who are bringing students can attend for free.
If you are coordinating a large group of students, we can work with you on options for getting everyone registered. Contact Kara at [email protected] for more info.
Lodging
Cobblestone Hotel for $120+tax/night. Mention the Civic Action Academy when you call (319-352-1311). The block expires on October 16.
Super 8 for $101+tax/night. Use this booking link. The block expires on October 13.
Questions can be directed to Kara.
