Civic Leadership Program | Quinnipiac University

Empowering students to lead in the 21st Century

Presidential Public Service Fellows tour Hamden's business incubator. — On left, Quinnipiac Presidential Public Service Fellows Chidi Nwuneli '20, political science major, and Judy Chicoine '20, right, all take a tour of Hamden’s new business incubator.

The Civic Leadership Program equips students to succeed in the classroom, across our campuses and around the world

The Civic Leadership Program enriches the experience for students pursuing any major within the College of Arts and Sciences. Working together with dedicated academic advisers, students will curate a course schedule that exposes them to new ideas and perspectives, challenging them to think critically about how to create a better future for themselves and their fellow citizens.

Experiential learning underscores every student's major area of study within the Civic Leadership Program. Opportunities abound for students to participate in on-campus clubs, travel alongside faculty for courses abroad and obtain paid and for-credit internships that prepare them to provide a nuanced perspective in careers spanning government, media, law, business, healthcare, nonprofit, social services and more.

How Will You Become a Civic Leader?

Serving the Local Community

Gaining a Global Perspective

Improving our Political System

Community Service and Activism

Outside of the classroom, students will be encouraged to put their skills to the test as active participants in our many student-led clubs and organizations. Supported by faculty advisers and other student mentors, future civic leaders will gain confidence in planning, communication and decision-making as they strive to set, and achieve, their annual goals and initiatives.

Students paint a wall — Quinnipiac students volunteer by painting at the Ulbrich Boys & Girls Club in Wallingford, Connecticut. This volunteer effort is a part of Quinnipiac’s “Big Event,” a multi-town student-run service project.

Student volunteers stand by a community project — Quinnipiac University hosts QUADS, a high school mentorship program helping guide younger generations toward their potential career paths. The group gathered at the North Haven campus to showcase their projects centered on the "Quest for Questions."

Students volunteer at a goat farm. — Quinnipiac students participate in the Greek Day of Service by helping out “Road to Refuge” animal shelter in North Haven.

Student volunteers at local Habitat for Humanity site — Quinnipiac students volunteer with Habitat for Humanity as they help build a home in New Haven, Connecticut.

Student volunteering at the Big Event — Students volunteer at Foundation 4 Orphans in Hamden, Connecticut as a part of Quinnipiac's "Big Event".

Service Organizations, Groups and Clubs

The university's annual day of service, the most recent installment of The Big Event brought more than 800 students, faculty, staff and alumni together in giving back to more than 70 non-profit organizations across the state of Connecticut.

Watch A Quinnipiac Minute from The Big Event 2022

Read the latest recap from The Big Event

Community Action Project is the largest community service organization at Quinnipiac University. In addition to co-sponsoring the American Red Cross blood drives and The Big Event, CAP holds approximately 40 community service events a semester. The group is divided into five branches, each with a particular focus area.

Best Buddies
Elderly
Hunger and Homelessness
Youth
Special Events

Read the welcome message from our co-director

Students for Environmental Action aims to ensure that people in our Quinnipiac community have a safe space to feel good about the steps being taken to heal our planet. The group leads activities and events throughout the academic year, especially during Earth Week.

Read how Students for Environmental Action celebrated Earth Week

As part of Rotary International, the Rotaract Club provides an opportunity for young individuals to enhance the knowledge and skills that will assist them in personal development to address the physical and social needs of their communities and to promote better relations between all people worldwide through a framework of friendship and service.

The purpose of the Society, Life and Justice Club is to give all departmental majors and minors (sociology, gerontology, criminal justice and anthropology) the opportunity to connect with other students in an educationally-based environment. This organization promotes attendance for speakers and service projects related to these areas of study with the hope of uniting students who share the same educational and career interests.

This national co-ed community service fraternity extends the principles of the Scout Oath and Law of the Boy Scouts of America to college life to develop leadership, promote friendship, provide service to humanity and further our national, educational and intellectual heritage.

Learn more about all of our student-run clubs and organizations

Faculty-Led Courses Abroad

As students continue to expand their sphere of influence, they'll be drawn to more fulfilling experiences outside of the classroom. The Civic Leadership Program exposes students to ample opportunities to learn by doing through faculty-led programs in the U.S. and abroad. As students live, learn and work in our local, national and global communities, they start to shape a well-rounded resume that reflects the leadership qualities employers desire.

Picture of Kerry Deasy, plays video — Are you interested in teaching? Follow Kerry Deasy '23, MAT '24, an English major, as she travels to Guatemala to learn what their education system is like, and how it varies with the United States.

Elyssa Wrubel day in the life video in Morocco — Within the College of Arts and Sciences, learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom. Follow Elyssa Wrubel ’20 as she takes part in a faculty-led anthropology course to Morocco.

Photo of 4 students and a female professor outside, plays video — Have you wanted to explore new places? Follow Julia Suesser '20, a law and society major, as she travels to Brazil to take part in the Oxford Consortium for Human Rights. This conference brings together a diverse community of scholars and students who work in the fields of anthropology, history, law, philosophy and sociology and immerse them in a dialogue about how human rights issues are contextualized in developing nations like Brazil.

Picture of Kyra Angileri, plays video — Are you concerned about the future of Earth? Follow Kyra Angileri '21, a sociology major, as she travels to Costa Rica's Earth University, to learn sustainable practices to bring home to Quinnipiac and help the earth.

Politics and Public Service

The Civic Leadership Program offers outlets on and off campus for students to gain meaningful experience in shaping public policy and improving the structures and systems that uphold our communities. Under the guidance of faculty members including Scott McLean, professor of political science, students have supported candidates in advance of the New Hampshire primaries, attended presidential inaugurations and worked to provide transformative educational experiences to incarcerated individuals.

Throughout the program, students are empowered to secure high-profile internships across fields including law, government, healthcare, human services, business, education and social work. As students elicit real change under the mentorship and guidance of faculty members, business executives and elected officials, they continue to shape well-rounded resumes that reflect the leadership qualities employers desire.

Video: Ambar's story — See how Quinnipiac University helped Ambar Pagan '22 unleash her ambition.

Students take a picture with presidential candidate Andrew Yang, starts video — Follow Josh Gorero ‘21, a political science major, as he takes you on the campaign trail and shows you what it’s like to work on the Andrew Yang presidential campaign for the New Hampshire primary.

Student poses with Boomer the Bobcat mascot, starts video — Watch as Emily Szamocki ’20, a political science major, coordinates and runs Hamden’s annual National Night Out event as part of her Presidential Public Service Fellowship with the Hamden Youth Services Bureau.

Making an impact through public service — Tymothee Kelley-Anderson ’18, a criminal justice major at Quinnipiac, utilized what he learned in his classes during his Presidential Public Service Fellowship at the Hamden Police Department.

Presidential Public Service Fellowship Program

Quinnipiac Presidential Public Service Fellows spend summer learning about municipal government

June 21, 2022

Five Quinnipiac students are spending the summer getting a first-hand look at how municipal government works.

Law and Legal Systems LLC

This Living-Learning Community houses students interested in becoming lawyers, police officers and correction officers as well as students interested in government policy, policing, corrections, restorative justice and improving the legal system. This community brings together diverse ideologies and perspectives for productive, respectful conversations about issues related to law and legal systems.

Learn more about our Living-Learning Communities

Two people talk at world summit day at the ASI table.

Albert Schweitzer Institute

The Albert Schweitzer Institute conducts programs that link education, ethics and voluntarism for the sake of creating a more peaceful and sustainable world. A dynamic presence at Quinnipiac University, the institute has drawn notable humanitarians both to campus and to its board, and gives students of all majors the chance to engage with local challenges and the broader international community.

Learn how to get involved with ASI

Three students take a selfie in front of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C.

Quinnipiac University in Washington, D.C.

The Quinnipiac University in Washington, D.C. program (QU in DC) gives enthusiastic students from a range of majors the opportunity to live and intern in the nation’s capital, the hub for American politics, government, international relations and national security. Our network is constantly expanding and consists of numerous organizations in the D.C. area, including national security agencies, congressional offices and the White House, as well as think tanks, news corporations, and public affairs agencies.

Learn more about QU in DC

Quinnipiac students pose in front of the Hollywood sign holding a large Q flag

Quinnipiac University in Los Angeles

Quinnipiac University in Los Angeles is a year-round program that allows students to live, work and learn in the heart of America’s entertainment industry. Los Angeles is home to the “Big 5” film studios, 10 professional sports franchises, major broadcast news network bureaus and a media market that reaches millions daily.

Learn more about QU in LA

Two students stand outside a market selling colorful fabric in Peru

Study Abroad

We offer programs in 32 countries, from Barbados to Australia, and that list continues to grow. Your options are varied, and include traditional semester-long programs, short-term, faculty-led courses and global service learning programs that emphasize solidarity, collaboration and engagement. You also may be able to take advantage of a growing number of global internships.

Learn more about Study Abroad

Learn More About the Civic Leadership Program

Rick Frederick DelVecchio, II

Director of Career Development

College of Arts and Sciences

(203) 582-3998

Apply Request Info Visit

Contact the College of Arts and Sciences

We're always here to help provide additional information and answer any questions you may have.

203-582-8600

CASdeans@qu.edu

275 Mount Carmel Ave.
Hamden, CT 06518

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