Students from 23 colleges and universities come together around a shared commitment to action as

INDIANAPOLIS - Nov. 12, 2013 - PRLog -- Indianapolis, IN – Each year Indiana’s institutions of higher education send students to the state house to meet with their elected officials and garner support for higher education.  In order to bolster student confidence and civic skills, Indiana Campus Compact developed a one-day civic leadership conference that brings student leaders together to develop common talking points and strategies to share on behalf of all of Indiana higher education. Students will learn how issues that are important to the state of Indiana impact them and how they can be part of the discussion.

The Civic Leadership Conference will bring together our state’s student leaders from public, private, two-year and four-year campuses to advance a unified voice on behalf of college students across the state.

During this conference, students will have the opportunity to engage in discussions with state leaders in education and government that focus on the issues affecting higher education in Indiana. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to come together around a shared commitment to action to create a strengthened network of informed civic leaders in Indiana higher education.

Indiana Campus Compact Executive Director Maggie Stevens said, , “A gathering of this nature serves many purposes. First, some of these students have never stepped foot in our state capitol or had a conversation with an elected official. Second, students will have the opportunity to connect with one another across institution type and location to share what is important to them and then begin to learn how they can become more engaged in the communities through action and advocacy.”

The conference  includes a networking breakfast with state legislators, a panel discussion including Senator Jean Breaux and Representative Jim Baird, a keynote by Purdue University president Mitch Daniels, luncheon remarks by Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education Teresa Lubbers, and workshops for students to plan for action and advocacy.  At the end of the day, students will leave with a plan of action to engage others on their campus as advocates and changers.

Participating campuses in this year’s conference include:  Goshen College, Grace College, Holy Cross College, Indiana State University, Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana University East, Indiana University Kokomo, Indiana University Northwest, IUPUI, Ivy Tech Community College-Bloomington, Ivy Tech Community College- Central, Ivy Tech  Community College-Columbus/Franklin, Ivy Tech Community College- East Central, Ivy Tech Community College-Northwest, Marian University, Purdue North Central, Purdue University, Taylor University, Trine University, University of Indianapolis, University of St. Francis, Vincennes University, and Wabash College.

Indiana Campus Compact supports higher education’s efforts to develop students into well-informed, engaged citizens. By providing programs, services, and resources, Indiana Campus Compact serves as a catalyst for campuses and communities to improve people’s lives through service-learning and civic engagement initiatives. For more information, please visit www.indianacampuscompact.org.