Academic Civic Engagement Courses

Academic civic engagement (ACE) courses enable students to apply academic knowledge and skills within a real-world context to address community issues and build the civic identity of all participants (students, faculty, and community partners). Often referred to as service-learning, community-engaged learning, or community-based research, ACE facilitates the development of skills, habits of mind, and relationships that prepare students for future internships, research, civic leadership, and employment.

Community partners are integral to the ACE experience. St. Olaf believes in the importance and impact of maintaining connections with local communities (here in Northfield and beyond). Over the past years, the ACE office has collaborated with a diverse set of community partners in many industries, whether it be local or global. Community partners have benefited from ACE experiences in many different ways, including gaining insights into research and theories, working with passionate college students, and getting much-needed support for their organizations from St. Olaf students.

Approximately 600 St. Olaf students take an ACE course each year. To find ACE course offerings for the upcoming academic year, select the "Only Academic Civic Engagement (ACE)" checkbox in the St. Olaf Class and Lab Schedule or visit the Academic Civic Engagement web site.