Campus Compact serves as a national voice for the importance of higher education in contributing to the public good.
Our advocacy and federal policy agenda aims to raise awareness of the importance of higher education, secure new funding opportunities for civic and community engagement efforts, and keep members informed on federal issues important to the field. We will offer regular federal policy briefings, resources for colleges and universities to engage in their own advocacy work, and news about how you can stay up-to-date and involved.
Focus Areas
Establishing Campus Compact as a voice in Washington
As a national voice for the critical role that higher education plays in advancing the public good, we will advocate for resources and support for the crucial work of higher education civic and community engagement. Areas of focus will include community-engaged partnerships, anchor institutions, civic learning, civic dialogue, discourse, and bridge-building, and national and public service.
Increasing the awareness and visibility of federal opportunities and priorities for members
- Quarterly Federal Policy Briefings
These virtual sessions aim to provide information directly to our members on what's happening at the federal level regarding appropriations, legislation, and priorities related to higher education civic and community engagement. In each session, we'll get a legislative update on relevant bills, hear about new federal programs being introduced or considered, and create space for dialogue and questions. Campus Compact's partners at Washington Navigators will lead the sessions.
- Annual Presidents' Summit
Beginning this year, we regularly convene presidents and chancellors from member institutions across the country to discuss policy and impact opportunities. More information coming in early 2024 for an expanded Summit in Fall 2024.
- New Advocacy and Federal Agenda Resources & Communications
We'll share regular updates and opportunities with our members on compact.org and through our mailing lists. Stay tuned for more!
Taking action on critical issues
- AmeriCorps Support
Campus Compact has long been a proud partner of AmeriCorps. We are proud to advocate for AmeriCorps and the important role it serves in encouraging national service and building healthy communities.
- Community Service Federal Work Study
Federal Work Study is a key tool to make higher education more accessible to students from low-income families and communities, provide them with meaningful work-based learning experiences, and provide necessary personpower to advance key community engagement priorities. A renewed focus on Community Service Federal Work Study by policymakers, non-profits, and other organizations has pushed higher education to reconsider their use of these resources and their historical program models. Campus Compact has recruited Daniel Fidalgo Tomé to serve as a fellow for the 2023-2024 academic year. In his role, Daniel will focus on understanding the needs of our field, review the current resources available, and create new and updated resources that can help build the capacity of CS-FWS programs on campuses across the country.
- Service-Learning Support for Campuses
We're excited to support and engage with the Coalition for Service-Learning to advance the case for refunding Learn and Serve.
- Foster Care Youth Housing
Campus Compact has identified foster care youth housing as a key issue area where higher education can make a difference. For the 2023-2024 academic year, Campus Compact has named Reggie Blaylock as foster care youth housing fellow. In this role, Reggie will explore new pathways and opportunities for connecting higher education institutions and HUD entities at the federal and local levels specifically to address foster-care youth housing. Reggie will bring together leaders and policymakers to engage together through a retreat, webinars, and dissemination efforts.
Watch recorded Federal Policy Briefings See the playlist
All Federal Policy Briefings are recorded and saved on our YouTube Channel and in the compact.org resource library. Catch up now with updates from previous briefings!
