The Civic Learning and Democracy Engagement Coalition has designated Concordia College as a “full participation institution,” recognizing the college’s ongoing commitment to preparing students for active, informed citizenship.
The designation highlights Concordia’s intentional approach to civic learning through its Core Curriculum, which centers on helping students “Become Responsibly Engaged in the World,” or BREW. The curriculum connects liberal arts education with real-world application, emphasizing critical thinking, communication, and ethical reflection.
Students build these skills through a structured set of courses, including First-Year Experiences, explorations, religion, wellness, and critical issues. Foundational courses such as Engaged Citizenship Seminar, Communicating to Engage, and Writing to Engage introduce students to civic responsibility early in their academic careers.
A required critical issues course further challenges students to examine pressing societal concerns and the increasingly interconnected nature of the global community.
In addition, Concordia’s emphasis on integrative learning is reflected in its Peak experiences, which provide hands-on opportunities for students to apply their learning in meaningful, real-world contexts.
The full participation designation places Concordia among a select group of institutions nationwide recognized for embedding civic engagement across the student experience, reinforcing its mission to develop thoughtful, engaged citizens.