What is Civic Engagement?
Civic Engagement is about getting involved in the issues, decisions, and activities that shape your community. It can be as simple as volunteering for a cause you care about, sharing your ideas with college leaders, learning about local issues, registering to vote, or helping others find their voice.
At CGCC, Civic Engagement is an opportunity to connect what you learn in the classroom with the world around you, build meaningful relationships, and help create positive change.
Why Get Involved?
Civic engagement is about more than giving back. It's also an opportunity to discover what matters to you, develop your strengths, and learn how to turn ideas into action.
- Find your voice. Share your ideas, represent your peers, and participate in conversations that matter.
- Build real-world skills. Strengthen your communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
- Connect with your community. Meet people, support local organizations, and learn about the needs and opportunities around you.
- Grow personally and professionally. Gain experiences that can help you explore career interests, strengthen your résumé, and build confidence.
- Make a difference. Use your time, talents, and perspective to contribute to meaningful change.
Make an Impact on Campus
Get involved in student government, clubs, and organizations. Represent fellow students, help plan campus activities, share ideas with college leaders, and contribute to a more connected campus community.
Getting involved with the Associated Students of Chandler-Gilbert Community College (ASCGCC) gives you the opportunity to represent your fellow students, share ideas, and help shape the college experience. Through student leadership positions, you can advocate for student needs, collaborate with college leaders, support campus initiatives, and help create a welcoming and inclusive campus community. These experiences build valuable skills in communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership while showing how your voice can make a difference. By participating in ASCGCC, you can become an active partner in campus decision-making and help create positive change at CGCC and beyond.
- Current ASCGCC Team (FA26 and SP27)
- President - Madeline Terry
- Vice President - Jlore Chargualaf
- Screarty - Caroline Hudson
- Treasurer - Luan Nguyen
- Social Advocate -
- Event Coordinator - Bella Merdick-Lopez
- Advisor - Gabby Atonal Rodriguez
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://cgc.campuslabs.com/engage/organization/associated-students-of-c…
Getting involved in a club or student organization is a great way to build leadership skills, connect with others, and make a difference on campus and in your community. Through planning events, collaborating with peers, organizing service projects, and representing student interests, you can develop teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills while putting your ideas into action. Club and organizational leadership is an important part of civic engagement because it empowers you to take initiative, contribute to causes you care about, and help create a more connected, inclusive, and engaged campus community.
Federal Work-Study positions give students the opportunity to gain real-world work experience while contributing to their college and local community. Through on-campus jobs and eligible community service positions, students can develop professional skills, build relationships, and support programs and services that make a positive impact on others. These experiences encourage responsibility, teamwork, and community involvement while helping students connect their education to their future careers. By participating in Federal Work-Study, you can earn money for college, strengthen your skills, and become an active contributor to the community around you.
Federal Work Study positions related to Civic Engagement include:
- America Read/America Counts Tutors
- Community Assistants
- Step Up Tutoring
Learn more about FWS program at https://www.cgc.edu/admissions/financial-aid/types-financial-aid/federal-work-study
Turn Learning Into Action through MCCCD
Connect your education with real community needs through service-learning projects, community partnerships, and hands-on experiences. Apply what you learn in class while supporting causes and organizations that make a difference.
Serving as a Student Senator Representative gives you the opportunity to represent your fellow students, share their perspectives, and help shape decisions that affect the college community. The Maricopa Student Senate (MSS) is a student representative body of the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD), consisting of one senator from each of the 10 colleges. MSS advocates for the shared interests of students by communicating their achievements, concerns, and ideas to the Governing Board, Chancellor, college administrators, fellow students, and the broader community. Through this leadership opportunity, you can develop skills in communication, advocacy, collaboration, and problem-solving while learning how decisions are made and how student voices can influence positive change. By participating in student representation, you become an active part of civic engagement and help ensure students have a voice in shaping their college experience.
Participating in a Student Public Policy Forum gives you the opportunity to explore public issues, discuss policies that affect college students and their communities, and learn how decisions are made at the local, state, and national levels. Through engaging in civic dialogue, sharing perspectives, asking questions, and connecting with community leaders and policymakers, you can better understand how public policies influence education, workforce opportunities, and everyday life. These experiences help you develop critical thinking, communication, and advocacy skills while encouraging you to become an informed and active member of your community. By participating in public policy discussions, you can make your voice heard, learn from different viewpoints, and discover ways to contribute to meaningful community change.
For more information, visit the official SPPF site.
The Chancellor’s Civic Leadership Medallion recognizes students who make a positive difference in their communities through civic engagement, volunteerism, and leadership. As a student at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, you can work toward this recognition by participating in community service, supporting causes you care about, organizing events, advocating for others, and taking part in activities that strengthen your campus and local community. The program encourages you to apply what you learn through real-world experiences while building valuable skills in communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership. By documenting your involvement and reflecting on your impact, you can demonstrate how you are contributing to meaningful change and becoming an engaged, community-minded leader.
Volunteer for a Cause You Care About
Support local nonprofits, participate in community service events, or use your talents to help others. Whether you have an hour or want to make volunteering a regular part of your life, every contribution can matter.
Volunteering is a meaningful way to get involved, support causes you care about, and make a positive impact on your campus and local community. Through campus events, community service projects, nonprofit organizations, and outreach initiatives, you can contribute your time and talents while connecting with others who share your interests. These experiences help you develop teamwork, communication, and leadership skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the needs and challenges facing your community. Volunteering is an important part of civic engagement because it encourages you to take action, support others, and become an active participant in creating a stronger, more connected community.
Find ideas on how to help your community today. (Internal login required for CGCC Students)
No longer a CGC member check out https://www.justserve.org/ for other volunteer opportunities.
Participate in the Democratic Process
Learn about voter registration, elections, and the role of local and state government. Becoming an informed and engaged citizen helps you understand how decisions are made and how communities are represented.
Registering to vote is an important way to participate in civic life and have a voice in decisions that affect your community. The Maricopa County Elections Department provides information and resources to help eligible residents register to vote and learn about the election process. As a college student, you can explore how elections work, understand the role of local government, and learn how your participation helps shape decisions about education, transportation, public services, and other community issues. Getting involved in voter education and election-related opportunities can also help you build communication, outreach, and leadership skills while supporting an informed and engaged community. By learning about voter registration and elections, you can take an active role in civic engagement and help ensure your voice is represented.
Email: https://elections.maricopa.gov/voter-registration/register-to-vote.html
Registering to vote is an important step in civic engagement and gives you the opportunity to participate in decisions that shape your community, state, and country. The Arizona Clean Elections Commission provides nonpartisan voter education and resources to help you understand the voting process, learn about candidates and issues, and make informed decisions at the ballot box. As a college student, you can take an active role in civic life by checking your voter registration, learning about upcoming elections, exploring different perspectives, and encouraging eligible friends and classmates to participate. By becoming an informed voter, you help ensure your voice is represented and contribute to a more engaged community.
Census opportunities help you understand how population data shapes the communities where we live, learn, and work. By participating in census outreach, education, or eligible census-related positions, you can help raise awareness about the importance of counting everyone in our communities. Census data helps inform decisions about public services, educational resources, healthcare, transportation, and community planning. These opportunities allow you to build communication, outreach, and data awareness skills while learning how accurate information supports informed decision-making. Census participation is an important part of civic engagement because it helps ensure communities are represented and their needs are considered when resources and services are planned.
Email: https://www.census.gov/
Make Your Voice Heard
Explore public policy, participate in civic discussions, learn about local issues, and advocate for concerns that affect students and your community. Your perspective can help inform conversations and inspire new ideas.
Your voice matters! Civic engagement gives you opportunities to share your ideas, express your concerns, and help influence decisions that affect your college and community. Through student forums, campus discussions, surveys, community meetings, advocacy, and conversations with college leaders and local representatives, you can speak up about issues that matter to you and your fellow students. These experiences help you build confidence, communication, and critical-thinking skills while learning how to participate in decision-making processes. Making your voice heard is an important part of civic engagement because it empowers you to contribute your perspective, learn from others, and help shape a more inclusive and responsive campus and community.
Your Community. Your Voice. Your Next Step.
You don't have to change the world overnight. Start with one opportunity, one conversation, or one act of service. Explore what's happening at CGCC, connect with a community organization, or reach out to learn how you can get involved.
Your ideas matter. Your participation matters. And you have a place in shaping the future of your community.
Ready to get started? Explore service-learning opportunities, student organizations, campus activities, and ways to connect with the community through Coyote Connect!