From Command to Community

During the past decade students have shown increasing interest in volunteering, community service, and community-based civic renewal projects, prompting many colleges and universities to create new programs that provide these kinds of opportunities. Some require participation in these programs for graduation; others incorporate civic engagement activities into core courses. Although civic engagement is becoming better integrated into higher education, it is not yet generally seen as a way to develop and redefine youth leadership. The essays in this volume address the idea of leadership education through civic engagement. They delineate a new approach to leadership education that reflects important cultural trends driven by technology, globalization, and demographic shifts; look at some of the best leadership education programs nationwide; and offer "next steps" on how to transform higher education more broadly.

Nicholas V. Longo is director of global studies and associate professor of public and community service studies at Providence College. Cynthia M. Gibson is senior vice president at The Philanthropic Initiative, a Boston-based philanthropic advisory firm.