Center for Civic Engagement

05/11/2026

We are of our Graduate Assistant Caitlin Bradford for being awarded the Paul Simon Democracy Prize!

The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Paul Simon Democracy Prize! 🎉

This year, four Illinois college students were awarded $5,000 each to support innovative projects designed to strengthen civic engagement and revitalize democracy in their communities.

Congratulations to:
• Miguel Alvarez (SIU Carbondale)
• Daniel Blaine (Roosevelt University)
• Caitlin Bradford (Illinois State University)
• Isabella Taylor (Moraine Valley Community College)

From youth-led music initiatives and community conversations to voter engagement events and accessible civic education content, these projects reflect the creativity and commitment of students working to build a stronger democracy.

Learn more about the winners and watch their winning videos on the institute’s website and YouTube channel - https://bit.ly/3OYZW6l

05/07/2026

🎓 We are of the graduating CCE students!

What a great team of Student Office Assistants, Deliberative Dialogues Facilitators, Alternative Breaks Leaders, Interns, and Civic Engagement Minors who are in their last semester here at Illinois State. We are grateful for your civic engagement contributions and wish you the best in your career journey! 💚

05/07/2026

📌 Here is your weekly Redbird Impact Roundup!
 
Check out current opportunities from the Center for Civic Engagement and partner organizations:

🗳️ Now hiring: Voter Engagement Interns for Fall 2026
ℹ️ Interns will assist with voter registration tabling, voter education events, informational presentations, and the facilitation of learning opportunities for the campus community.
🗓️ Apply by May 11
🔗 Link in bio

🏠 AmeriCorps VISTA Positions (Post-Grad Opportunity)
ℹ️ The Campus Compact VISTA program is recruiting for positions nationwide. This is a year-long, full- time opportunity with benefits to build capacity for organizations that provide critical anti-poverty interventions.
🗓️ Applications accepted on a rolling basis
🔗 Message us for application link

🏛️ Juneteenth at BPL
ℹ️ The Bloomington Public Library (BPL) needs program volunteers for greeter roles, cleanup, event support, and helping run activities (crafts, games).
🗓️ Friday, June 19, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
🔗 Message us for sign up link

To get the full scoop on these and other volunteer and civic engagement opportunities at Illinois State, visit our website and subscribe to the newsletter!

05/06/2026

🧸 this is who you asked to work at the Center for Civic Engagement (little staff edition)

as finals week get underway, here’s some of our pro and student staff when they were kids to brighten up your feed!

04/30/2026

📌 Here is your weekly Redbird Impact Roundup!
 
Check out current opportunities from the Center for Civic Engagement and partner organizations:
 
🎡 Bent Elementary School Carnival
ℹ️ Help out at Bent Elementary’s biggest fundraiser of the year! Volunteers will assist with games, food, and event setup.
🗓️ Thursday, April 30
 
🏡 Housing Action Corps (Post-Grad Opportunity)
ℹ️Serve communities across Illinois by expanding access to affordable housing while gaining real-world experience.
🗓️Applications open May 1

🏅 Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games Volunteers
ℹ️ Be part of an unforgettable experience supporting athletes at the Summer Games in Normal, IL!
🗓️ June 12–14

If you’re interested in any of these opportunities, message us for the sign up links. To get the full scoop, visit our website and subscribe to the newsletter!

04/24/2026

Thank you to all the Redbirds who helped Bring it Back to Normal last weekend! 🌱

We are incredibly grateful to the students from the ISU Center for Civic Engagement who volunteered their time and energy to scrub and clean the Safe Harbor shelter during the “Bring It Back to Normal” event. Your hard work, compassion, and willingness to serve made a meaningful difference for our residents and staff. Thank you for showing up with such care and heart—it truly does not go unnoticed! 💙🧹👏

04/23/2026

📌 Here is your weekly Redbird Impact Roundup!

⭐️ Check out current opportunities from the Center for Civic Engagement and partner organizations:

🌳 Arbor Day
ℹ️ Volunteer For Earth Week by caring for sponsored trees! No experience or equipment is needed.
🗓️ Friday, April 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
📍 ISU Horticulture Center (800 W Raab Rd)
🗳️ Now hiring: Voter Engagement Interns for Fall 2026
ℹ️ Interns will assist with voter registration tabling, voter education events, informational presentations, and the facilitation of learning opportunities for the campus community.
🗓️ Apply by May 11
🔗 Link in bio

🎨 Disabled Artist Symposium
ℹ️ Three artists will present and discuss their work: agustine zegers, Dirk Sorge, and Pooja Pittie. Free food will be provided.
🗓️ Thursday, April 23, from noon to 1:30 p.m.
📍 ISU Multicultural Center

To get the full scoop on these and other volunteer and civic engagement opportunities at Illinois State, visit our website and subscribe to the newsletter!

04/20/2026

Redbirds showed up to Bring it Back to Normal this weekend!

04/16/2026

📌 Here is your weekly Redbird Impact Roundup!

⭐️ Check out current opportunities from the Center for Civic Engagement and partner organizations:

🌱 Bring it Back to Normal
ℹ️ Students, staff, and faculty volunteers will assist local organizations on a variety of different projects designed to give back to the community.
🗓️ April 17, 12-4 p.m.
📍 Meet in CVA 147

💰 Paul Simon Democracy Prize
ℹ️ Three prizes of $5,000 will be awarded to current Illinois college or university students for the design and implementation of projects to revitalize democracy in their communities.
🗓️ Apply by April 17
🔗 SIU Paul Simon Institute

🏛️ Lobby Day
ℹ️The Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness will accompany students to Springfield to lobby in support of housing rights in Illinois.
🗓️ May 12
🔗 Message us for the registration link

To get the full scoop on these and other volunteer and civic engagement opportunities at Illinois State, visit our website and subscribe to the newsletter!

04/13/2026

It's your lucky day! The deadline for the (Re)Design Your Course for Civic Engagement & Sustainability proposals has been extended until April 17.

Don't miss your chance to apply!
✅ $750 stipend
✅ Cohort learning
✅ May 18 through June 10

prodev.illinoisstate.edu

04/08/2026

📌 Here is your weekly Redbird Impact Roundup!

⭐️ Check out current opportunities from the Center for Civic Engagement and partner organizations:

🏛️ Springfield Lobby Day
ℹ️ Chicago Votes is offering Redbirds the opportunity to attend a lobby day to speak with legislators about the Reintegration and Civic Empowerment (RACE) Act. Transportation and food are provided.
🗓️ Thursday, April 16, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
🔗 Fill out the survey linked in the comments section by noon on April 10

🌱Now hiring: Student Leaders in Community Engagement (SLiCE)
ℹ️ In this paid, on‑campus leadership role, you’ll help plan and lead service projects and gain hands‑on experience in event planning, communication, cultural competency, teamwork, and civic leadership.
🗓️ Apply by April 25🔗 Link in the comments

🗣️ Democracy Dialogues
ℹ️ The free series explores four founding principles of the Declaration of Independence – celebrating its 250th anniversary this year. The next dialogue will be on the topic of “Pursuit of Happiness.”
🗓️ Saturday, April 11, at 1 p.m.
📍 YMCA (202 St Joseph Dr, Bloomington)

To get the full scoop on these and other volunteer and civic engagement opportunities at Illinois State, visit our website and subscribe to the newsletter!