Civic Engagement Strategy
UVU’s Civic Engagement Strategy is a companion initiative to the Business Engagement Strategy. Designed to connect with the community on issues of public interest and importance, the strategy is comprised of three components:

1. Civic Forum - the facilitation of dialogue and exploration regarding issues of community well-being

2. Civic Visits  - consultation with constituent communities to discuss opportunities for partnership and collaboration 

3. University Project - an institution-wide effort to address challenges facing our community  


Civic Forum
A vital part of the Civic Engagement Strategy will be to promote Utah Valley University as a forum for community development, civil dialogue, and problem solving. Recognizing the vital role of the university in the civic well-being of our region, UVU convenes  conferences, symposia, dialogues, and lectures to enhance public understanding and leverage the resources of the university toward the common good. 

Civic Visits
Starting in 2011, UVU’s President’s Cabinet has convened  breakfast meetings with business and civic leaders from each of our a Utah County communities. These meetings have been designed to gather input, share ideas, and identify ways to more effectively partner and collaborate with our regional stakeholders. 

University Project
The University Project is designed to marshal the resources of the university to identify and solve a specific issue in our region that requires the expertise of UVU faculty, staff, students, industry partners, and community volunteers. The university works with faculty, staff, advisory boards, and community leaders to identify an issue that requires 1) interdisciplinary expertise and 2) cooperation between students, faculty, staff, and community organizations. In August, 2012, UVU launched a University Project to advance literacy and numeracy among elementary schools in our service region.  

 

2012 University Project
Utah students must make significant strides in both numeracy and literacy if they are to compete in the global marketplace and rise to the demands of democracy in the 21st century.

UVU is committed to raising literacy and numeracy rates in the formative K-3 grades. In partnership with the United Way of Utah County, the university is providing service learning grants, volunteer opportunities, and collaborative research projects to assist educators and parents.