Civic Engagement Research Fund Awards 2011 - 2012

"Engaging Discussions Regarding the Emerging Digital Library"   Faculty awardee:  Eugene Fregetto  Department of Managerial Studies  College of Business Administration       Project will focus on the emerging digital library and how patron demand will drive a change in the library's collection as well as the skill set and expertise of the library staff.   Executive Summary       [Click Here] Full Report                       [Click Here]

"Taking the Engagement in Civic Engagement Seriously: a Framework"

Faculty awardee:

Project will bring together the definition of civic engagement with an eye to developing a framework for distinguishing projects that are forms of genuine civic engagement that foster the habits of democratic citizenship from other forms of public spirited action.

Executive Summary       [Click Here]
Full Report                      [Click Here]

"Creating Pathways: Factors Influencing Successful Transition of Underrepresented Students in Higher Education into Public Service"   Faculty awardee:  Margaret LaPorte  Department of Public Administration  College of Urban Planning & Public Affairs         Project will determine the primary factors that serve to inform and encourage students to pursue and sustain successful careers in public service. Second, factors that predict successful transitions from higher education to work in the public sector vis-à-vis positive mentoring relationships will be investigated. Results from survey data will be used to identify themes and patterns of response. A database with ethnographic identifiers of primary correlates will be available. This will be the first such database of the target population that will serve as a baseline for future study.   Executive Summary       [Click Here] Full Report                       [Click Here]

"Helping Citizens Understand Options to Deal with Illinois' Fiscal Crisis"

Faculty awardee:

 David Merriman
 Institute of Government and Public Affairs (IGPA)
 Department of Public Administration
 College of Urban Planning & Public Affairs

Project will use the extensive knowledge base and analysis of the Fiscal Futures (FF) project to produce materials that will help citizens better understand the budget and the budgetary policymaking process; give citizens tools that facilitate involvement in the budgetary policy debate and deliberations; and provide Illinois citizens with the information, language, and tools to demand that government become more responsive to their concerns about fiscal solvency.

Executive Summary       [Click Here]
Full Report                      [Click Here]

"Community Foundations/Foundations of Community"   Faculty awardee:  David Perry  Department of Urban Planning and Policy  College of Urban Planning & Public Affairs         Project will develop a national outline of case studies of "community development efforts or local community change initiatives (through the) use of civic engagement to enhance the effectiveness (and)/or increase the overall impact of programs" of community foundations in city/regions.   Executive Summary       [Click Here] Full Report                       [Click Here]