Office of the President

Arcadia University Civic Scholars

Arcadia Civic Scholars offers a home base, a training ground, and an incubator for students in any major who are passionate about driving social change. Civic Scholars graduate with recognition honoring their commitment to social impact and innovation.

Pre-Orientation Program

Incoming Civic Scholars participate in Arcadia START (Students Taking Active Responsibility Together), a 3-day orientation program just before Welcome Week to introduce them to the local community and to Arcadia’s opportunities for community service and advocacy. 

Pre-Orientation Program

Incoming Civic Scholars participate in Arcadia START (Students Taking Active Responsibility Together), a 3-day orientation program just before Welcome Week to introduce them to the local community and to Arcadia’s opportunities for community service and advocacy. 

First Year Seminar

Civic Scholars have access to a first year seminar designed especially for them. The course includes special events like dinner with the University president and guest lectures from local change-makers.

First Year Seminar

Civic Scholars have access to a first year seminar designed especially for them. The course includes special events like dinner with the University president and guest lectures from local change-makers.

Specialized Mentorship & Advising

Throughout their time at Arcadia, Civic Scholars will have the encouragement and advice of the Director of the Office of Social Impact & Innovation, Dr. Alison LaLond Wyant. Alison has advised hundreds of high-achieving students as they chart their course through their degree paths towards lives of purpose. 

Specialized Mentorship & Advising

Throughout their time at Arcadia, Civic Scholars will have the encouragement and advice of the Director of the Office of Social Impact & Innovation, Dr. Alison LaLond Wyant. Alison has advised hundreds of high-achieving students as they chart their course through their degree paths towards lives of purpose. 

Community Building & Peer-to-Peer Leadership

Civic Scholars co-create the community for their program, with plans for the inaugural class to have a hand in shaping and leading future classes’ pre-orientation programs, and designing a living-learning residential community for the program, for example.

Community Building & Peer-to-Peer Leadership

Civic Scholars co-create the community for their program, with plans for the inaugural class to have a hand in shaping and leading future classes’ pre-orientation programs, and designing a living-learning residential community for the program, for example.

Internships for Social Impact

During one semester or summer, typically in the junior year, Civic Scholars engage in an internship for at least 140 hours with an organization geared toward social impact. Program staff, the Office of Career Education, and the Office of Study Away help students find placements locally or in one of Arcadia’s host cities overseas — in municipalities, non-profit organizations, government offices, social enterprises, or legislators’ offices — and frame the experience with critical reflection. 

Internships for Social Impact

During one semester or summer, typically in the junior year, Civic Scholars engage in an internship for at least 140 hours with an organization geared toward social impact. Program staff, the Office of Career Education, and the Office of Study Away help students find placements locally or in one of Arcadia’s host cities overseas — in municipalities, non-profit organizations, government offices, social enterprises, or legislators’ offices — and frame the experience with critical reflection. 

Social Innovation Incubator

The inaugural class of juniors and seniors in the program will co-create and lead a Social Innovation Incubator program for Arcadia stakeholders to develop their ideas for social progress.

Social Innovation Incubator

The inaugural class of juniors and seniors in the program will co-create and lead a Social Innovation Incubator program for Arcadia stakeholders to develop their ideas for social progress.

Admission and Application

Students applying to the program submit a 300-500 word essay in response to the following: What piqued your interest in social change and why are you interested in being an Arcadia Civic Scholar? 

APPLY

For More Information

Dr. Alison LaLond Wyant
Director of Social Impact and Innovation
Blankley Hall
lalondwyanta@arcadia.edu